Idris Elba's daughter, Isan, was totally weirded out that he was named 'Sexiest Man Alive' — and other things to know about the new 2019 Golden Globe ambassador

Idris Elba and his daughter, Isan, at the 2015 Oscars. “Issy,” as the actor calls her, has been named the 2019 Golden Globe ambassador. (Photo: Mark Ralston/AFP/Getty Images)
Idris Elba and his daughter, Isan, at the 2015 Oscars. “Issy,” as the actor calls her, has been named the 2019 Golden Globe ambassador. (Photo: Mark Ralston/AFP/Getty Images)

Idris Elba and his daughter, Isan, are having a spectacular year.

Not only have a few high-profile projects lined his pockets (Avengers: Infinity War and the upcoming Hobbs and Shaw and Cats), the Luther star’s sexiness was validated by the editors of People magazine. (And then there’s his $1,100 doll that looks like RuPaul.) Meanwhile, his 16-year-old daughter has stepped into the limelight as the newly minted 2019 Golden Globe ambassador.

The announcement of Isan’s appointment to the role, which will see her partnering with a nonprofit to do charity work (for “mental health, specifically among African Americans,” she said) in addition to assisting at the awards ceremony on Jan. 6, has put a spotlight on the teen. Here are a few things to know about the young woman we’ll be seeing much more of in 2019.

1. She wants to be an actress — well, maybe

She’s 16, so she’s figuring it out. Yesterday, when her appointment was announced, she told Entertainment Tonight that she has “always trained to be an actress.” However, when her dad directed Yardie, she says, “I got to see the whole process … so I’m really thinking about being a filmmaker now” and “acting on the side, maybe.” Last year, Isan said she didn’t want to be an actress — at that point she was more interested in photography and writing. So, we’ll see where she ends up. She does seem more certain about her dream college though, telling ET she really wants to “go to NYU.”

Isan Elba at the Nov. 14 event announcing that she is the 2019 Golden Globe ambassador, following in the footsteps of the Rock’s eldest daughter, Simone Johnson. (Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
Isan Elba at the Nov. 14 event announcing that she is the 2019 Golden Globe ambassador, following in the footsteps of the Rock’s eldest daughter, Simone Johnson. (Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

2. Her nickname is Issy

That’s what Dad calls her. The British star has said that when she was born, his life changed for the better, so he and his then-wife gave her the name Isan because it means “long-awaited gift-bearer.” Idris has also said that witnessing his children’s births (he also has a son, Winston with ex-girlfriend Naiyana Garth) is “the biggest and best thing” to ever happen to him. “I’m super-doting, big hugs, kisses, lots of love-yous. I’m sure my daughter’s like, ‘All right, Dad, chill out,'” now that she’s a teen. Luckily, “my son is still at that age [4] where he loves a cuddle,” he added.

3. Issy may be a too-cool-for-school teenager, but she thinks her dad is the coolest

In her Father’s Day tribute to him, she said the actor and DJ is “literally the coolest dad in the entire world (even though his dad jokes are lame).” She’s also said she’s always been “daddy’s little girl.” She was admittedly weirded out about him being named People’s Sexiest Man Alive, though. “I was looking forward to seeing who it was, and then when I found out it was him, it was kind of awkward,” she told ET. “I don’t really agree… handsome, yeah, but I can’t, no. It’s really weird.”

4. Yes, she’s tight with her “beautiful” mom too

Isan grew up in Atlanta with Idris’s first wife, makeup artist and businesswoman Kim Norgaard (Idris has a home in Hotlanta too), and she has remained close to her.

5. Her first red carpet was in 2007

Check out this cuteness:

Idris Elba and Isan at the L.A premiere of Tyler Perry’s<em> Daddy’s Little Girls.</em> (Photo: E. Charbonneau/WireImage for Lionsgate)
Idris Elba and Isan at the L.A premiere of Tyler Perry’s Daddy’s Little Girls. (Photo: E. Charbonneau/WireImage for Lionsgate)

6. But she’s been rubbing elbows with celebs for much longer

Hi, Morgan Freeman.

7. And she already has awards show experience

Just from the audience, though. (Scroll up to see her with dad at the 2015 Academy Awards). Being onstage while the show happens will be a whole new thing, but having her dad in the audience and on the red carpet for support will make it extra-special.

8. She really wanted Drake to perform at her Sweet 16 party

While talking about fatherhood on Live With Kelly and Ryan last year, Idris said that Isan doesn’t want to hold his hand anymore now that she’s a teen, and all she wants to do is talk about rappers. “You mean going to the Drake show versus going to the movies,” Seacrest asked, to which Idris replied, “Drake show?! She wants Drake at her Sweet 16.” Her party earlier this year turned out to be an epic affair, but she had to settle for a YFN Lucci performance over Drake. She hopped onstage with the rapper to dance. And she made two dress changes at the party.

View this post on Instagram

Always been a daddy’s little girl! 💕

A post shared by ISAN ELBA (@isanelba) on Jan 9, 2018 at 4:13pm PST

9. Her Sweet 16 was such a big deal, there was an official winter birthday bash video recap set to Cardi B

10. She gives her dad’s fiancée a thumbs-up

All “love” there. Earlier this year, during a screening of his film Yardie, Idris proposed to his 29-year-old girlfriend, Sabrina Dhowre, whom he has been dating since 2017. They’re one big happy family.

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Love.

A post shared by ISAN ELBA (@isanelba) on Apr 29, 2018 at 5:19pm PDT

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