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    39 Facts About Lupita Nyong’o

    Phelia Knopp

    Written by Phelia Knopp

    Published: 19 Apr 2025

    Expert Verified Editorial Guidelines
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    Source: Nbcnews.com

    Who is Lupita Nyong'o? Lupita Nyong'o is a Kenyan-Mexican actress known for her powerful performances and striking beauty. Born on March 1, 1983, in Mexico City, she grew up in Kenya and later attended Yale School of Drama. Her breakout role came in 2013 with "12 Years a Slave," earning her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Since then, she has starred in blockbuster hits like "Black Panther" and "Us." Beyond acting, Lupita is an advocate for women's rights and racial equality. Her influence extends to fashion, where she is celebrated for her bold style choices.

    Table of Contents
    01Early Life and Background
    02Education and Training
    03Breakthrough Role
    04Career Highlights
    05Advocacy and Influence
    06Personal Life
    07Awards and Recognitions
    08Fun Facts
    09Lupita Nyong'o: A Star Shining Bright

    Early Life and Background

    Lupita Nyong'o's journey to stardom is as fascinating as her performances. Let's dive into her early life and background.

    1. 01Birthplace: Born in Mexico City on March 1, 1983, Lupita holds dual Kenyan and Mexican citizenship.
    2. 02Family: Her father, Peter Anyang' Nyong'o, is a prominent Kenyan politician and academic.
    3. 03Heritage: Lupita is of Luo descent, an ethnic group from Kenya.
    4. 04Siblings: She has five siblings, making for a lively household.
    5. 05Early Years: Lupita spent her early childhood in Kenya before moving back to Mexico for seven months to learn Spanish.

    Education and Training

    Lupita's education and training laid the foundation for her acting career. Here are some key facts about her academic journey.

    1. 06High School: Attended Rusinga International School in Kenya.
    2. 07College: Graduated from Hampshire College in the U.S. with a degree in film and theater studies.
    3. 08Yale School of Drama: Earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from this prestigious institution.
    4. 09Stage Performances: Participated in numerous stage productions during her time at Yale.
    5. 10Thesis: Her thesis performance was in the play "The Winter's Tale" by William Shakespeare.

    Breakthrough Role

    Lupita's big break came with a role that showcased her immense talent and earned her critical acclaim.

    1. 1112 Years a Slave: Played Patsey in the 2013 film, directed by Steve McQueen.
    2. 12Oscar Win: Won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in "12 Years a Slave."
    3. 13First Kenyan to Win an Oscar: Made history as the first Kenyan and Mexican actress to win an Academy Award.
    4. 14BAFTA Award: Also won the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for the same film.
    5. 15SAG Award: Received the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role.

    Career Highlights

    Lupita's career is filled with remarkable roles and achievements. Here are some highlights.

    1. 16Star Wars: Played Maz Kanata in the "Star Wars" sequel trilogy.
    2. 17Marvel Cinematic Universe: Portrayed Nakia in "Black Panther" and its sequel.
    3. 18Broadway Debut: Starred in the play "Eclipsed," earning a Tony Award nomination.
    4. 19Voice Acting: Voiced Raksha in Disney's "The Jungle Book" (2016).
    5. 20Us: Played dual roles in Jordan Peele's horror film "Us" (2019).

    Advocacy and Influence

    Beyond acting, Lupita is known for her advocacy and influence in various fields.

    1. 21UN Women: Advocates for gender equality and women's rights.
    2. 22WildAid: Supports wildlife conservation efforts through this organization.
    3. 23Children's Rights: Works with Mother Health International to provide relief to women and children in Uganda.
    4. 24Fashion Icon: Known for her stunning red carpet appearances and has been featured on numerous fashion magazine covers.
    5. 25Author: Wrote a children's book titled "Sulwe," which addresses colorism and self-esteem.

    Personal Life

    Lupita's personal life is as intriguing as her professional one. Here are some personal tidbits.

    1. 26Languages: Fluent in English, Spanish, Swahili, and Luo.
    2. 27Hobbies: Enjoys knitting, a hobby she picked up during her time at Yale.
    3. 28Fitness: Practices yoga and Pilates to stay fit.
    4. 29Travel: Loves traveling and exploring new cultures.
    5. 30Philanthropy: Actively involved in various charitable activities and organizations.

    Awards and Recognitions

    Lupita's talent has earned her numerous awards and recognitions over the years.

    1. 31Time 100: Named one of Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2014.
    2. 32Glamour Woman of the Year: Honored by Glamour magazine in 2014.
    3. 33People's Most Beautiful: Named People magazine's Most Beautiful Woman in 2014.
    4. 34NAACP Image Awards: Won multiple NAACP Image Awards for her performances.
    5. 35BET Awards: Recognized at the BET Awards for her contributions to film and entertainment.

    Fun Facts

    Let's end with some fun and lesser-known facts about Lupita Nyong'o.

    1. 36Nickname: Often called "Lupi" by friends and family.
    2. 37Favorite Food: Loves traditional Kenyan dishes like sukuma wiki and ugali.
    3. 38Pet Lover: Has a soft spot for dogs and often shares pictures of her pets on social media.
    4. 39Dancing: Enjoys dancing and often posts dance videos on her Instagram.

    Lupita Nyong'o: A Star Shining Bright

    Lupita Nyong'o's journey from Kenya to Hollywood is nothing short of inspiring. Her talent, dedication, and charisma have made her a household name. Winning an Oscar for her role in "12 Years a Slave" was just the beginning. Lupita's influence extends beyond acting; she's a powerful advocate for diversity and representation in the film industry. Her work with organizations like WildAid and Mother Health International shows her commitment to making a difference. Lupita's fashion sense and red carpet appearances always turn heads, proving she's a style icon too. Whether she's acting, advocating, or inspiring, Lupita Nyong'o continues to shine brightly. Her story reminds us that with hard work and passion, anything is possible. Keep an eye on Lupita; her star is only going to get brighter.

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