An Inside Look at Lupita Nyong'o
The 86th Academy Awards was an extremely successful night filled with anticipation and entertainment. There was one star in particular who many had never heard of: Lupita Nyong’o, supporting actress of 12 Years a Slave. Although most were once clueless to whom she was; they will now be incapable of forgetting her.
As she blew everyone away with her outstanding acting skills and astonishing portrayal of Patsey, a slave on Epps’ plantation that endures unimaginable abuse, it was no surprise when the Kenyan native won this year’s Academy Award for supporting actress. What’s even more inspiring is the story of this young woman who grew up determined to follow her childhood dreams.
Nyong’o says that she had wanted to act, “from when [she] was an itty bitty girl.” However, since she grew up in Kenya, a country with little to no entertainment industry, she found it difficult to pursue her passion. What’s more, she had few role models because there are not many African women in movies today. Despite her family’s support, people questioned her desire; they found it hard to believe in a pursuit with no role models or progress. During Lupita’s late teenage years she took an enormous and admirable risk: she decided to attend Hampshire College in the United States, even without the encouragement that a wannabe actress deserves.
Initially, fear overcame her and she chose to major in Film Studies and African Studies. However, she soon realized that all she desired was to be a renowned Hollywood actress. At this point she understood that she “would really, truly regret it if [she] never tried to be an actor professionally.” So, Lupita applied for a Master’s degree at the Yale School of Drama. Immediately before graduating from Yale, she received her breakthrough role of Twelve Years a Slave, and since then the new actress’s life has transformed.
All who have recently discovered Lupita Nyong'o are inspired by the way she followed her seemingly unreachable dream. Lupita Nyong'o is not only an inspiration for aspiring actors, but everyone who is skeptical and fearful of pursuing their own passion. She is excellent proof that there is always an exception to the rule!
By Vienna Giacchè