![Idris Elba 2017 Essence Cover Idris Elba covers the August 2017 issue of Essence magazine.](https://www.thefashionisto.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Idris-Elba-2017-Essence-Cover.jpg)
Idris Elba charms with a smile as he covers the August 2017 issue of Essence magazine. The English actor links up with photographer Dennis Leopold for the accompanying photo shoot. Embracing a summer mood, Elba is a relaxed vision in open shirts and slim-cut pants. Elba talks to Essence about how having children keeps him young. He shares, “Because I’m 44 years old with a two-and-a-half-year-old boy, I’m rolling around playing and then I’m at a Drake concert with my teenage daughter. Having a young child now keeps me young, without a doubt…”
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Idris Elba Essence Photo Shoot
![Idris Elba 2017 Essence Photo Shoot 001 Actor Idris Elba charms in a red knit polo for the pages of Essence magazine.](https://www.thefashionisto.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Idris-Elba-2017-Essence-Photo-Shoot-001.jpg)
![Idris Elba 2017 Essence Photo Shoot 002 Connecting with Essence, Idris Elba stars in a new photo shoot.](https://www.thefashionisto.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Idris-Elba-2017-Essence-Photo-Shoot-002.jpg)
![Idris Elba 2017 Essence Photo Shoot 003 Wearing an open shirt, Idris Elba appears in a photo shoot for Essence magazine.](https://www.thefashionisto.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Idris-Elba-2017-Essence-Photo-Shoot-003.jpg)
![Idris Elba 2017 Essence Photo Shoot 004 Going shirtless, Idris Elba appears in Essence magazine.](https://www.thefashionisto.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Idris-Elba-2017-Essence-Photo-Shoot-004.jpg)
![Idris Elba 2017 Essence Photo Shoot 005 The Dark Tower star Idris Elba takes a boat trip with Essence magazine.](https://www.thefashionisto.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Idris-Elba-2017-Essence-Photo-Shoot-005.jpg)