LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Whether he’s on a boat or a horse, one thing is certain: the Old Spice dowdy is on a roll.
Isaiah Mustafa reveals exclusively to The Hollywood Reporter that he will be appear in Warner Bros.’ “Horrible Bosses,” starring Jennifer Aniston and Jason Bateman. And in joining to a role in Tyler Perry’s “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf,” the former NFL player is filming a guest spot on NBC’s action-comedy “Chuck.”
All this comes on the heels of Nielsen data indicating that sales of Old Spice body products are up a monumental 107 percent in the past month as a fruit of his Emmy-nominated spots, and the Old Spice YouTube channels have been viewed more than 58 million times.
WHAT HAS THIS ROLLER-COASTER YEAR BEEN LIKE?
Isaiah Mustafa: It’s a sleeping vision come true. It was a couple of lucky occurrences that had to happen for me to get the commercial. I missed the first audition if it be not that made the second one they scheduled because they hadn’cheek by jowl found anyone. They aforesaid they were going to book me, but I didn’t get the call. I said “Forget it” and put it out of my department. Then they called after Christmas. I think about it all, and it wows me.
WHAT CAN YOU SHARE ABOUT YOUR ROLE IN “HORRIBLE BOSSES”?
Mustafa: It’s a smaller role, moreover who wouldn’t want to be in common of these funny, irreverent comedies? The cast is great. I’m playing a cop because I play these authoritative characters well. I put on’t know exactly who I’m in the scene with — maybe Jennifer Aniston!
YOU ALSO LANDED A TALENT AGREEMENT LAST MONTH WITH NBC. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN, AND WHAT SHOWS ARE YOU FILMING?
Mustafa: It means I’m exclusively working through NBC unless they approve other projects. I’m going to be filming an episode of “Chuck” next week. I put on’t know how sundry episodes yet, but I cozen know I’m playing an official CIA guy (named Greta). The character is pretty goofy, so it’s going to be fun.
WHAT NBC SHOWS DO YOU HOPE TO FILM GUEST SPOTS ON OR EVEN JOIN?
Mustafa: “Chuck” was my top choice. “SNL” would be a dream. It was one of the first television shows my mom let me stay up to watch. I was in love with Mr. Bill.
WILL YOU BE CONTINUING YOUR PARTNERSHIP WITH OLD SPICE?
Mustafa: As very much as commercials, I dress in’t think there are any more lined up. They could always vary their mind and want more. I signed on to be their spokesperson as of a year, so I still have a few months left.
IN THE COMMERCIALS, YOU APPEAR TO BE QUITE THE LADIES MAN, BUT YOU HAVE BEEN DATING DANCER BRANDI OGLESBY. SO, DOES ART NOT IMITATE LIFE?
Mustafa: No, I’m not one of those guys. If a woman is into me, it usually takes me a while to outline that out. She has to come in contact me over the head with it.
DO YOU FOLLOW A SPECIAL DIET OR WORKOUT TO KEEP YOURSELF IN SHAPE?
Mustafa: I’ve been doing Tony Horton’s DVD sets for three years. Right a little while ago, I’household vegan-cleansing: no processed sugar, nay caffeine, no alcohol, no animal products and no gluten. I never knew what gluten was before. Now I know exactly what it is, and it’s everything I want!
BE HONEST, DO YOU COMPARE YOURSELF TO THE SITUATION (THE BARE-CHESTED HUNK ON MTV’S “JERSEY SHORE”)?
Mustafa: No, give joy to. The Situation is the best thing in the world. Who names himself the Situation? If only the Old Spice Guy would acquire thought of that one. How outrageous is it? I work not take myself seriously like that — not in the minutest bit — that would subsist so pretentious.
(please visit our entertainment blog via www.reuters.com or on blogs.reuters.com/fanfare/)
Entertainment
