Lupita Nyong’o is an Academy Award-winning actress best known for her acclaimed roles in films like ’12 Years a Slave’, ‘Us’, ‘Black Panther’ and various ‘Star Wars’ films. The talented performer has built a reputation for delivering powerful, nuanced performances across diverse projects. Now, she addresses the racist backlash surrounding her casting as Helen of Troy in director Christopher Nolan’s upcoming adaptation of ‘The Odyssey’.In an interview published Thursday in Elle, Lupita Nyong’o has responded to the racist criticism about her being cast in the iconic role of Helen of Troy in ‘The Odyssey’. Her take is straightforward: “This is a mythological story,” she says. “I’m very supportive of Chris’s intention with it and with the version of this story that he is telling. Our cast is representative of the world. I’m not spending my time thinking of a defence. The criticism will exist whether I engage with it or not.”
Lupita Nyong’o on portraying Helen of Troy
In the interview, the Oscar winner explains her philosophy on playing the character described as the most beautiful woman in Greece in the tale adapted from Homer’s ancient Greek poem. “You can’t perform beauty. I want to know who a character is,” Nyong’o says. “What is beyond beauty? What is beyond looks? That’s the thing about doing such a well-known text, which has been studied and interpreted and derived from. The research could be endless. The good thing about working with a writer like Chris is that it’s on the page. The investigation starts with the pages you’re given. That’s what I based it on.”
Elon Musk criticises Lupita Nyong’o casting in ‘The Odyssey’
According to Entertainment Weekly, in just one example of the racist criticism, Tesla co-founder Elon Musk comments on and shares opinions that Nyong’o shouldn’t be part of the cast. He even claims on social media that Nolan does it because he “wants the awards.” Musk also says the director has “lost his integrity.”
The View hosts defend Lupita Nyong’o against Elon Musk’s criticism
The hosts of ‘The View’ hit back at Musk’s comments. “I don’t know if you realise this,” Whoopi Goldberg says on the show, “Lupita is also considered one of the world’s most beautiful women. So, I’m not sure what you’re trying to say. You don’t actually have to go to the movie.”
Lupita Nyong’o joins star-studded cast for Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’
Christopher Nolan, the director of epic stories such as ‘Oppenheimer’, ‘Inception’, and ‘Interstellar’, has put Lupita Nyong’o in good company. The cast also includes Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, and Elliot Page.That breadth of talent is not lost on Nyong’o. “It’s quite something to be a part of ‘The Odyssey’, because it is so grand. It spans worlds,” the actress says. “So that’s why the cast is what it is. We’re occupying the epic narrative of our time.”‘The Odyssey’ arrives in theatres July 17. Go to Source
