Colman Domingo stepped into the late-night spotlight as guest host of ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’, welcoming Jacob Elordi and Jaafar Jackson for a star-packed episode.
Colman Domingo has officially made his ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ guest-hosting debut, bringing his charisma, theatrical presence and sharp sense of timing to one of American television’s most recognisable late-night stages. The two-time Oscar nominee hosted Monday night’s episode of the ABC talk show while Jimmy Kimmel remains on hiatus, opening a week of special appearances with a lineup that immediately connected film, television and pop culture.
From the beginning, Colman Domingo treated the opportunity as more than a simple hosting assignment. His opening monologue arrived with high energy, mixing humour, current references and the kind of commanding warmth that has made him one of Hollywood’s most respected performers. The actor touched on subjects ranging from ‘The Odyssey’ to Donald Trump, while also including a shoutout to Zendaya, giving the episode a playful connection to some of the biggest names currently dominating entertainment headlines.
The debut felt especially natural because Domingo is already known for his ability to move between prestige drama, stage performance, fashion, activism and mainstream entertainment. On ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’, he brought that versatility into the late-night format, balancing jokes with elegance and keeping the tone polished without losing spontaneity. For an actor often associated with emotionally intense roles, the episode offered viewers a chance to see a lighter, more conversational side of his public persona.
One of the major guests of the night was Jacob Elordi, who appeared on the show to promote his upcoming post-apocalyptic science fiction film ‘The Dog Stars’, directed by Ridley Scott. The project marks another high-profile step in Elordi’s career, following a period in which he has continued to build momentum across film and television. His presence also gave the episode an immediate sense of reunion, as he and Domingo previously starred together in the HBO drama ‘Euphoria’.
That shared history helped create an easy dynamic between host and guest. Jacob Elordi and Colman Domingo have already crossed paths in major cultural moments, including their participation in Variety’s Actors on Actors a couple of years ago. On the late-night stage, their conversation carried the familiarity of two performers who understand each other’s work and career trajectories, giving the interview a relaxed but meaningful rhythm.
Elordi also used the appearance to praise Domingo and fellow guest Jaafar Jackson for their work in ‘Michael’, the biopic about Michael Jackson released earlier this year. His admiration added another emotional layer to the episode, connecting the night’s guests through mutual respect rather than simple promotion. It was a reminder of how late-night television can still function as a space where actors publicly acknowledge one another’s craft.
The second guest of the episode, Jaafar Jackson, joined the programme to discuss ‘Michael’, in which he plays the legendary performer. The film also stars Colman Domingo as Joseph Jackson, Michael’s father, giving the host another personal connection to the evening’s lineup. Jaafar’s appearance carried particular weight because portraying one of the most recognisable entertainers in history requires not only resemblance and performance skill, but also the ability to navigate an enormous cultural legacy.
For Domingo, hosting an episode that featured both Jacob Elordi and Jaafar Jackson created a strong opening night. The combination of ‘Euphoria’, ‘The Dog Stars’ and ‘Michael’ allowed the show to move between television drama, science fiction cinema and music biopic territory, all while positioning Domingo as the connective force at the centre of the conversation.
