Lupita Nyong'o: What I've Learned
Forbes Woman Africa|October-November 2016

The Oscar-winning Kenyan actress talks about sudden fame, why she has a lot to thank television for, self-righteousness and why her childhood prepared her for this life in more ways than she could have imagined.

Monique Rivalland
Lupita Nyong'o: What I've Learned

Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong’o, 33, grew up in Nairobi before studying film and theater at Hampshire College, Massachusetts. Her father, Peter, is a politician who has spoken of being harassed and tortured for his beliefs. In 2014, Nyong’o won the Oscar for best supporting actress for her role as Patsey in 12 Years a Slave. She currently lives in Brooklyn. Here, she talks fame, and how childhood readied her for it:

Being uncomfortable with sudden fame is nothing to be ashamed of. It can be trying and confusing. Being cast in 12 Years a Slave completely altered the architecture of my life. I had come straight out of school and everything seemed to change overnight. Suddenly there was all this recognition. It still surprises me when people know who I am.

If I look calm, it’s probably because I’m terrified. Human beings have three reactions to stress – fight, flight or freeze – and my default is to freeze. If that comes across as calmness, I’m lucky.

This story is from the October-November 2016 edition of Forbes Woman Africa.

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This story is from the October-November 2016 edition of Forbes Woman Africa.

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