March 29th 2024.
John Boyega, the renowned actor from the Star Wars franchise, has recently opened up about his friendship with Damilola Taylor during their childhood. This is the first time that Boyega has publicly spoken about the tragic event of Damilola's murder, and he has described it as a life-changing experience that has shaped who he is today.
In a recent interview, Boyega shared that a poignant moment at Damilola's funeral inspired him to pursue his dreams of acting and movie stardom. He had refrained from talking about his friend's murder until now, but he was motivated to speak out following the recent passing of Damilola's father, Richard Taylor.
Damilola was just 10 years old when he was brutally attacked with a broken bottle while on his way home from the library in Peckham, London. Boyega and his sister Grace, who also attended the same school as Damilola, were among the last people to see him alive. This tragic event had a profound impact on Boyega, who was shocked to understand how mortality worked at such a young age.
In the interview, Boyega also shared that Damilola's murder had deeply affected his community, especially his sister Grace who was very close to Damilola. They had been looking after him since his move from Nigeria, just a few months before his tragic death.
Boyega recalled a poem that Damilola had written, which was read out at his funeral. The poem spoke about Damilola's dreams and aspirations, and it made Boyega realize that even at such a young age, Damilola had big dreams and wanted to use his skills to make a positive impact on the world.
Reflecting on that moment, Boyega said that it was among other things that gave birth to his mentality and motivated him to chase his dreams. He also shared that Damilola's father, Richard Taylor, who recently passed away, was a man who was for the people and for the community. He and his wife Gloria had set up a charity in honor of their son, called The Damilola Taylor Trust.
Boyega praised the trust and revealed that he had been a big beneficiary of their work. He also shared that he and his sister Grace used to imagine what Damilola would be like today, and they believed that he would have grown up to be a handsome young man with great opportunities and morals.
After three crown court trials, Damilola's killers, brothers Ricky and Danny Preddie, were put behind bars in 2006. Boyega hopes that Damilola's legacy will continue to live on, and he believes that he would have been an important part of their community if he were still alive. He also expressed his gratitude towards Damilola's family for their strength and resilience in the face of such a tragic loss.
In conclusion, Boyega shared that he had been motivated to speak out about Damilola following the news of his father's death. He hopes that by sharing his story, he can honor Damilola's memory and inspire others to chase their dreams, just like Damilola had dreamed to be more.
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