Oscar-nominated Somali actor survives on allowance

March 9, 2014
Issue 

“It's no secret that many of the actors at the Oscars were wearing borrowed clothes and jewellery after being feted by designers keen for a priceless plug,” the Sydney Morning Herald said on March 5. “But not many would have been lent a suit because they couldn't afford one.”

“Barkhad Abdi narrowly missed out on the Oscar for best supporting actor, but it seems he's also lost out on cashing in on the box-office bounty of Captain Phillips. And, despite racking up a string of nominations for the role, his clothes are borrowed and he survives on a daily allowance paid by the studio.”

The article said the film, which stars Abdi as the pirate group's leader Abduwali Muse, earned $US218 million worldwide but the 28-year-old Abdi was paid just $65,000 by the studio two years ago.

When in Los Angeles to promote the film, Abdi who lived in Somalia and Yemen before immigrating to the US aged 14, survives on an allowance and his clothes are loaned.

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