I went to a mosque in Philadelphia with [my wife] in December 24, 1999. And we we went to this mosque in Philly, and I just had such a strong reaction to the prayer. And I was really emotionally - I felt really grounded at that time. And so to be in this prayer and the imam is doing the prayer in Arabic and I don't understand a word of Arabic but I just remember these tears just coming down my face and it just really connecting to my spirit in a way that felt like I needed to pay attention to that.
Mahershala AliThe freedom that I wanted as a kid would - probably would not have been good for me and not in the way in which I wanted it.
Mahershala AliAgain, having - fortunately having never been in trouble. And eventually I found out that I was on a watch list.
Mahershala AliMy connection to music is so strong. I cling to it. I vibe out to it. I release stress to it. Music is really always close to me. It's really present in my work in terms of how I relate to characters is through rhythm and sound, even in their speech.
Mahershala AliGetting to St. Mary's College was a big deal for me because that essentially led to me getting to go to NYU.
Mahershala Ali