Lupita Nyong'o, the Academy Award-winning actress known for her powerful roles in films such as '12 Years a Slave', 'Us', 'Black Panther', and various 'Star Wars' movies, has built a reputation for delivering nuanced performances across a wide range of projects. Now, she is addressing the racist backlash surrounding her casting as Helen of Troy in director Christopher Nolan's upcoming adaptation of 'The Odyssey'.
Lupita Nyong'o on Playing Helen of Troy
In an interview published Thursday in Elle, Nyong'o responded to the racist criticism about her casting in the iconic role. 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.'
In the interview, the Oscar winner explained her philosophy on portraying 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, Tesla co-founder Elon Musk has been one of the prominent figures sharing opinions that Nyong'o should not be part of the cast. He even claimed on social media that Nolan cast her because he 'wants the awards' and said 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. Whoopi Goldberg said on the show, 'I don't know if you realise this, 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 assembled an impressive cast for 'The Odyssey'. Alongside Nyong'o, the cast 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 on July 17.
