Born in Mexico to Kenyan parents living in self-imposed political exile, Nyong’o returned to Africa with her family while she was still an infant. She made her American film debut in Steve McQueen's 12 Years a Slave (2013) as Patsey, for which she received critical acclaim. For her role Nyong'o won the Screen Actors Guild and Critics' Choice Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role, and was nominated for the Golden Globe, BAFTA and Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
Nyong'o comes from the the Luo people of Kenya tribe, the same ethnic group that President Barack Obama father came from
Lupita’s debut feature-length film was creating, producing, directing and editing “In My Genes” – her final thesis project at Hampshire college, where she graduated in 2007. In My Genes addresses the personal and societal challenges that people with albinism face as members of one of the most hyper-visible and misunderstood minority groups of Kenya’s predominantly black society through the experiences of eight individuals from different cultural and socio-economic backgrounds. Nyong’o starred in the 2008 short film “East River”, directed by Marc Grey and shot in Brooklyn, New York. She moved back to Nairobi in August 2008 and produced the award-winning MTV Music Video, Little Things We Do, song created and performed by celebrated Wahu and Bobby Wine. Apart from her passion for film and video, Lupita also has over ten years experience in stage acting. She enjoys and practices capoeira and attempts to play the harmonica. In November 2009 she starred in the Kenyan television miniseries “Shuga” as Ayira.
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
Printer-friendly view of this topic