After winning an Oscar for Judas and the Black Messiah, Daniel Kaluuya has retreated from the spotlight, which has led some fans to believe that the star now leads a secret life outside of Hollywood
Daniel Kaluuya’s career has recently become the subject of wild speculation following his absence from the screen.
Since winning the Best Supporting Actor Oscar in 2021 for Judas and the Black Messiah, the British star has kept a surprisingly low profile in Hollywood blockbusters. When he bagged his Oscar, Kaluuya was reportedly flooded with movie offers – but he has since stayed clear from appearing on screen. However, this had ultimately led to wild rumours emerging online, particularly after a social media post claimed he’d “joined a cult.”
The post blew up with over 24 million views before being pulled, which had ignited an old story dating back to the filming of Nope. At that time, US media outlets linked Kaluuya to a New Age figure named Vanylla Salimah Mahmoud, also known as Heir Holiness, who described herself as his spiritual adviser and once said she was his manager.
Reports said Kaluuya had ended his relationship with his previous agency and publicists amid concerns about Mahmoud’s influence.
However, a Hollywood executive close to the actor said Kaluuya hasn’t disappeared but is simply following his own path, focusing on smaller films, writing, and producing rather than mainstream blockbusters.
Currently, Kaluuya is involved in the upcoming Spider-Verse animated film and is developing a live-action movie based on the children’s character Barney. He is now represented by the William Morris Endeavor agency and has several projects underway through his production company, 59%.
Raised on a council estate in north London by his Ugandan single mother, Kaluuya began his career in British television before gaining international recognition with Jordan Peele’s 2017 film Get Out, which earned him Oscar and BAFTA nominations.
When asked about the cult rumours in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Kaluuya said: “It showed me that I was in a paradigm of fame. An unnamed, unverified source has more credibility than what is actually said and the truth of the situation… That’s not what happened.”
Heir Holiness also denied the cult allegations, calling Kaluuya “family” and saying, “They made it up. It was very shocking… My main thing was to make sure he’s safe and able to do his work. All of it is fake.”
Born in London in 1989 to Ugandan parents, the actor grew up on a Camden council estate. He attended Torriano Primary School, St Aloysius’ College, and Camden School for Girls in its co-educational sixth-form for his A-levels.
From a young age, he had a passion for acting, writing his first play at nine and studying the art at the Anna Scher Theatre School.
Kaluuya began acting professionally in 2006, gaining early fame for his role as Posh Kenneth in Skins and appearing in shows like Doctor Who and Silent Witness before breaking into film.
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