Michael B. Jordan has played the hero in the “Creed” boxing series and the villain in Marvel’s “Black Panther” films. In real life, he occupies more relatable extremes: He’s a self-described workaholic who meditates every day and spends his free time trying to make the perfect pasta sauce. “I’ve been experimenting a shit ton in the kitchen,” the 36-year-old actor said.
Jordan—who reportedly has a net worth of $25 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth, and rose to fame playing the teenage drug dealer Wallace on HBO’s “The Wire,”—stepped into the director’s chair for the first time last year for “Creed III.” He said the experience had taught him how to collaborate on a new level. Jordan, who grew up in Newark, N.J., lives in Los Angeles. Here, he discusses his favorite kind of sleep, his relationship with Ryan Coogler, and the unexpected activity he finds soothing.
Here are a few things Michael B. Jordan revealed to WSJ. Magazine…
On directing
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Directing “is really about communication and over-communicating, learning to speak to everybody in their love language to get the most out of them and be on the same page,” said Jordan. “Because as a director, you’re trying to get everybody to see what you see, and [I learned] the patience to do so.”
On what time he gets up on Mondays
“I’m usually up around 5:30 a.m. My body gets up at that time.”
On the first thing he does in the morning
“If I don’t have anything scheduled in the immediate, I might go back to sleep. That’s usually the best sleep—when you wake up and then you go right back to sleep. More times than that I’m up and starting my routine, going to the gym, breaking a sweat. Then shower, meditate a little bit, try to clear my head and thoughts.”
On how his typical workout differs from when he’s training for “Creed”
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“The “Creed” movies are a whole other level of discipline from my daily routine, where I don’t have a physical goal. It’s overall just maintenance, wanting to feel good and strong and healthy.”
On whether he has any habits that would surprise his fans
“I love ironing. Ironing is something that is very soothing to me. And I love driving. Driving helps me clear my mind. Cooking is something that I find peace at. I love cooking for people—it’s a universal love language. You can not speak the same language, be from a different country, but the food is good, you sit around that table and share a meal and know exactly what the other person’s feeling.”
On his and “Black Panther” director Ryan Coogler’s decade-long collaboration, what their partnership has meant to him, and whether he feels like they grew up together
“Yeah, I really do. We talk about this often: If Ryan and I grew up in the same city and went to the same school, we’d have been best friends. There’s a bond and a brotherhood there that I’m proud of.”
On the new project he and Coogler just announced
“It’s our fifth project together. That’s a rare thing in this industry, and I feel extremely lucky to collaborate with him again. I can’t wait to share more, but that’s all I’ve got for you right now.”
On when he started wearing jewelry and how he would advise a man who’s looking for a place to start with it (Jordan is the ambassador for David Yurman’s first high jewelry collection for men)
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“I got one ear pierced when I was 12. That was my first real introduction to jewelry outside of wearing my dad’s dog tags. My dad’s a marine, and I used to rock those all the time. I just felt really cool. When I got both of my ears pierced, the go-to subtle thing was studs. The first piece of real gold jewelry that I bought myself was a thin gold chain after doing “Creed.” That’s probably one of my more special pieces that I own. [For] other people, figure out what you’re comfortable with. I don’t wear jewelry to gain confidence.”
On a piece of advice that’s guided him
“Following your first instinct and listening to your gut is something that I think people ignore often. As a situation plays out, a lot of times people go back like, “Man, I should have done that”—that’s usually your first instinct.”
Photo: Tyrone Lebone for David Yurman via WSJ. Magazine.
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