Short bio: Lupita Amondi Nyong’o was born on March 1, 1983 to Kenyan parents in Mexico City. The actress and filmmaker grew up in Kenya and gained experience in the theatre. Nyong’o studied film and theater studies at Hampshire College in the USA. After graduating, she worked as a production assistant. Back in Kenya she produced her first film “In my Genes”. After further studies at the Yale School of Drama, Lupita Nyong’o’s international breakthrough came in 2013 with the film “12 Years a Slave”. She received the Oscar for “Best Supporting Actress”.
- First name: Lupita
- Surname: Nyong’o
- Birthday: 03/01/1983
- Star sign:
- Height: 165cm
- Place of birth: Mexico City
About Lupita Nyong’o
Lupita Amondi Nyong’o was born on March 1, 1983 in Mexico City. The daughter of Peter and Dorothy Nyong’o, a university professor and politician and entrepreneur, moved back to Kenya with her family at the age of one and grew up with five siblings. She came to the theater as a student through the production company “Phoenix Players” in Nairobi. In 2001 she began studying film and theater at Hampshire College.
Lupita Nyong’o’s career
After graduating from college, Nyong’o first worked as a production assistant on various films. In 2005 she worked on “The Eternal Gardener” and in 2006 on “Namesake – Two Worlds, One Journey”. In 2008, the actress took on the lead role in East River. This first experience in the film business was followed by a period in Kenya, where Nyong’o starred in the TV series “Shuga” for almost three years. In 2009 she released the documentary “In My Genes” as a screenwriter, director and producer. The film is about the difficult life of albinos in Kenya.
Lupita Nyong’o completed her second degree at the Yale School of Drama in the USA. She found contact with the theater again and drew attention to herself with productions such as “Doctor Faustus” and “The Taming of the Shrew”. While still a student, Nyong’o won the Herschel Williams Award for “Acting Student of Exceptional Ability”.
Nyong’o became internationally known in 2013 with her outstanding portrayal of the slave Patsey in the historical drama “12 Years a Slave”. The actress quickly became a media darling. For example, she appeared on the cover of “Vogue” and the French “Elle”, later representing the brands Miu Miu and Lancôme. In 2014, the American magazine “People” voted Nyong’o the most beautiful woman in the world. The actress also continued to rise in the film industry. In 2014, she starred in Non-Stop and it was announced that Nyong’o will be starring in Star Wars Episode VII. She is also already committed to the film “Americanah”.
Greatest achievements by Lupita Nyong’o
Her first major film role was a resounding success for Nyong’o. Her role as a slave in the historical drama 12 Years a Slave in 2013 also earned her an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. Nyong’o was the first Mexican and first Kenyan to win this award. She also received a Golden Globe nomination and numerous other film awards.
Her life in brief
Infection with coronavirus
Lupita Nyong’o (39 years old) was infected with the corona virus. The actress announced this to her fans via Twitter. At the time, she was fully vaccinated and was in domestic isolation. “Please do everything you can to protect yourself and others from a serious course of the disease,” the Oscar winner addressed her 1.9 million followers.
As the US magazine “People” reported, Nyong’o was supposed to attend the virtual press conference for her new film “The 355” on the same day. However, the “Black Panther” star was unable to attend the promotional date.
“The 355” was an action thriller starring Nyong’o, Jessica Chastain, Diane Kruger, Penélope Cruz, and Fan Bingbing in the lead roles.
Beauty and being voted the most beautiful woman in the world
Lupita Nyong’o has been on everyone’s lips since her role in the Oscar hit “12 Years a Slave”. The actress, who had little previous experience in front of the camera, even received an Oscar for her performance. But it’s not just her acting skills that make the native Mexican one of the brightest stars in the Hollywood sky – her natural beauty is also a topic again and again.
The famous “People” magazine, which put the “12 Years a Slave” actress on the first place of the most beautiful women in the world, also thinks that Lupita Nyong’o is beautiful. The Oscar winner would not have expected that at all, so she is all the more pleased about the great award. “It was just exciting, a huge compliment,” said the most beautiful of the beautiful. “I was happy for all the girls who see me on the cover and feel a little more seen themselves.”
Lupita Nyong’o, who was born in Mexico and raised in Kenya, didn’t always feel beautiful. Because she simply could not fulfill the ideal of beauty that was lived out on television. “Fair skin and long, flowing and straight hair,” recalls the 12 Years a Slave star. “Subconsciously you value these things more than the qualities you have yourself.” But her mother always told her how beautiful she was. “And finally I did believe her at some point.”
Nevertheless, she tried out a lot at the time and dyed her hair in the wildest colors. At some point, the beautiful curls also had to accept it and Lupita Nyong’o shaved her head. “It was very weird and very cold,” she laughs today. “It scared me, but I like to challenge myself,” said the actress, who was last seen in the movie “Non-Stop” with Liam Neeson and Julianne Moore.
Today, Lupita Nyong’o feels comfortable with her short hair and seems to be well received with it. The title of the most beautiful woman in the world is of course very flattering. But the biggest compliments are for the “12 Years a Slave” star, “when someone calls me beautiful without me wearing a trace of make-up. And even if I don’t comb my hair or don’t wear a nice dress.”
Her acting and award
The Oscars 2014 was awarded in Los Angeles. As every year, the biggest stars from Hollywood come here, but up-and-coming talents are also honored at the award ceremony from time to time. It was Lupita Nyong’o turn then. She was considered a new gem in the film business – her role in “12 Years a Slave” made her famous all of a sudden.
A lot has changed for the Kenyan actress since then, and she’s been touring from one award ceremony to the next. After the Oscars 2014 on March 2nd, Lupita Nyong’o wanted some rest. “It’s all happening so slowly and I’m like, ‘Wow, so much has changed in the last few months!'”
“And I’m looking forward to taking a step back and taking it all in,” continued Lupita Nyong’o. The hype about “12 Years a Slave” is almost overwhelming. “Maybe I’ll be able to look at all the photos I’ve taken. I’ve taken so many photos, I think my phone is about to explode,” jokes the actress.
In fact, Lupita Nyong’o has been through a lot in the last few weeks and months. She was cast in “12 Years a Slave” before graduating from the Yale School of Drama – today she is the best alongside Julia Roberts, June Squibb, Jennifer Lawrence, and Sally Hawkins.
While at the Oscars she met a very special celebrity. At the Academy Awards Nominees Luncheon, she stood next to Pharrell Williams, who was then nominated for his song “Happy” at the 2014 Oscars. The musician once again wore his big hat, which has caused quite a stir since the Grammys. “I’m trying to get it for the Oscars, I’m trying to ask him if I can borrow it,” Lupita Nyong’o joked.
The fashionable Lupita Nyong’o
She shows up in a brilliant look at any public event. In the image below, Lupita wore a colorful dress from Chanel’s fall 2014 collection. The elaborately crafted dress by star designer Karl Lagerfeld had a high stand-up collar, decorated shoulders, a slim fit and pleats on the skirt. With its colorful dots and black embroidery, the fabric was reminiscent of colorful chocolate beans and liquorice snails. The turquoise “Blade” pumps by Casadei skilfully rounded off the outfit of the “12 Years a Slave” actress.
Wear colorful dress in spring: Spring is the right time to make the wardrobe a little more colorful and to set colorful accents. A statement dress like Lupita Nyong’o’s at the 2014 MTV Movie Awards is just the thing to lift the spirits after a long winter. The look is particularly harmonious if you pick up a color from the fabric pattern in the shoes and accessories. You can also match the make-up to the colors of the dress, otherwise you won’t go wrong with subtle make-up and styling and don’t distract from the look.
Cast in Star Wars 7
The slave epic “12 Years a Slave” opened the door for Lupita Nyong’o – today she is one of Hollywood’s elite. So it’s no wonder that the most famous directors are now queuing up for the Oscar winner. The latest highlight: Lupita Nyong’o was cast by JJ Abrams (47) for “Star Wars 7”, as Kathleen Kennedy, President of Lucasfilm, officially announced on Monday evening.
Lupita’s other talent in braiding
When Lupita Nyong’o was still in college, she once wanted to have her hair braided in an African hair salon in New York. But she was so disappointed by the services that the next time she went to Kenya, she asked her aunt, who runs a hairdressing salon, to teach her how to braid. The Oscar winner tells this in a YouTube video for “Vogue”, in which she gives six of her best friends a new braided hairstyle.
“I learned how to do cornrows, dreadlocks and twisted braids. Now I really enjoy braiding my friends’ hair,” continues the 12 Years a Slave star. Lupita Nyong’o says she even wanted to earn a little extra money with braiding while she was in college and even went to the trouble of making a poster. But for her, “braiding hair is something intimate, where you get personal and close, and that’s why I like to do it with people I know and love and trust.” She just couldn’t bring herself to ask her friends for money and ultimately didn’t make any money from it.
Who is Lupita Nyong’o dating?
The actress has been linked to several celebrities, including Jared Leto.
Lupita Nyong’o net worth
She is super rich.