Lupita Nyong’o (born on March 1, 1983) is a talented actress of Kenyan-Mexican descent. She gained widespread recognition for her outstanding performance as Nakia in the acclaimed film “Black Panther” and as Maz Kanata in “Star Wars.”
Nyong’o has garnered numerous awards for her acting skills, including the prestigious Academy Award.
Additionally, she has been nominated for multiple other accolades, such as two Primetime Emmy Awards and a Tony Award, which is a testament to her versatility and range as an actress.
Early Life
Lupita Nyong’o was born in Mexico City, Mexico, on March 1, 1983. Her parents, Dorothy and Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o were both Kenyan. Lupita is the second of six children raised primarily in Nairobi, Kenya.
Her father is a politician and a political science professor at the University of Nairobi, while her mother is a managing director of the Africa Cancer Foundation. Lupita’s family was involved in politics and social activism, influencing her upbringing.
She attended Rusinga International School in Kenya before moving to the United States to attend college. She graduated from Hampshire College with a degree in film and theater studies. While at college, Lupita discovered her passion for acting and performed in several plays, including “The Winter’s Tale” and “The Taming of the Shrew.”
After college, Lupita worked as a production assistant on several films, including “The Constant Gardener” and “The Namesake.” She then enrolled at the Yale School of Drama to pursue a master’s degree in acting. While at Yale, Lupita acted in several productions, including “The Bacchae” and “Uncle Vanya.”
Lupita’s breakthrough role came in 2013 when she was cast as Patsey in the critically acclaimed film “12 Years a Slave.” She won numerous awards for her performance, including an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, making her the first Kenyan and Mexican actress to win an Oscar.
Career
After her breakout role in “12 Years a Slave,” Lupita Nyong’o‘s career took off. She went on to star in several high-profile films, including “Non-Stop,” “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” and “The Jungle Book.”
In 2015, Lupita made her Broadway debut in the play “Eclipsed,” for which she received critical acclaim and a Tony Award nomination. She also voiced a character in the animated film “The Queen of Katwe.”
Lupita continued to showcase her range as an actress with roles in the Marvel film “Black Panther,” featuring alongside other talented actors like Letitia Wright, Chadwick Boseman, and many others. She also featured in the horror movie “Us” and the biographical drama “Harriet.” She also appeared in “Americanah” and “Little Monsters.”
She also appeared in the 2022 marvel movie Wakanda Forever, featuring as Nakia.
In addition to her work in film and television, Lupita is a fashion icon and has become known for her bold and elegant style choices on the red carpet. She has been featured in numerous fashion magazines and is a brand ambassador for several luxury brands.
Lupita is also passionate about activism and using her platform to promote social justice causes. She has spoken about issues such as representation in Hollywood, the Black Lives Matter movement, and women’s rights. She is also a successful author, having written the New York Times best-seller “Sulwe,” which encourages children to love themselves and embrace their uniqueness. In 2020, Forbes named her one of Africa’s 50 most powerful women.
Personal Life
Lupita is single and has never been married but has been romantically linked to several men. She was in a relationship with rapper K’naan from 2013 to 2014, and there were rumors that she was dating actor Jared Leto in 2014.
She is known to be close with her family and often speaks about their influence on her life and career. Lupita has five siblings, including a younger brother named Peter Nyong’o Jr., who is also an actor.
Lupita is fluent in English, Spanish, and her native language, Swahili. She is also a skilled dancer and has trained in several different styles, including ballet, African dance, and salsa.
In her free time, Lupita enjoys reading and is known to be a fan of science fiction and fantasy novels. She has also been involved in several charitable causes, including the Africa Cancer Foundation, Mother Health International, and the Motion Picture and Television Fund.
Social Media
- Instagram @lupita Nyongo
- Twitter @lupita_Nyongo
- Facebook @lupita Nyong’o
Award & Nomination
- Hollywood film awards (2013)
- African- American film critics association (2013)
- Academic awards (2014)
- Independent spirit awards (2014)
- Screen actor guild awards (2014)
- NAACP Image Awards (2014)
- BET Awards (2014)
- Black reel awards (2014)
- Critics choice movie awards (2014)
- MTV African Awards(2014)
- Screen nation film and television awards(2014)
- Screen actor guild awards (2019)
- NAACP Image Awards (2019)
- African- American film critics association(2019)
- NAACP Image awards (2020)
- NAACP Image awards (2020)
- Black reel Awards (2020)
- Emmy awards (2021)
Filmography
- East River (2008)
- 12 years a slave (2013)
- Non-stop (2014)
- Star wars: the force awakens (2015)
- The jungle book (2016)
- Queen of katwe (2016)
- Star wars: the last jedi (2017)
- Black Panther (2018)
- Little monsters (2019)
- Us (2019)
- Star wars: the rise of Skywalker (2019)
- Black Panther: Wakanda forever (2020)
- A quiet place: Day one (2024)
Net Worth
Lupita Nyong’o total net worth is around $12 Million.