Mahershala Ali Says Life Is 'A Different Kind Of Crazy' With Newborn Daughter

Mahershala Ali is discovering the joys of fatherhood following the birth of his daughter.

Last month, his wife, Amatus Sami-Karim, gave birth to their first child, Bari Najma ― just four days before Ali’s Oscar win forBest Supporting Actor in “Moonlight.”

During The Hollywood Reporter and Jimmy Choo’sMost Powerful Stylists in Hollywood dinner on Tuesday night,the actor told Peoplethat fatherhood has changed his work-life balance.

“We have a baby, so it’s a different kind of crazy,” he said.

“I think it changes your relationship with time. I just don’t have time to waste,” Ali continued. “You gotta be really deliberate with how you choose to spend your day because those are the moments you’re away from your child. If anything, I want to work in a more focused way and discover the right balance for my life.”

The 43-year-old Oakland native alsogushed to E! Newsat the event about his excitement over the birth of his daughter.

“I think about her even when I’m sleeping because I know she’s laying there right with me so I have my hand on her making sure I don’t roll on her,” he said. “So I’m always conscious that she’s near me even when I’m sleeping. It’s a very present awareness that you have of the well-being of this other person.”

Prior to the Academy Awards, where Ali became the first Muslim actor to win an Oscar, the proud father shared a photoon Instagramof the couple’s newest addition: