Overview
- Nyong’o told CNN’s Inside Africa that months after her 2014 Oscar win she was asked to do “another movie where you’re a slave… this time on a slave ship.”
- She said she chose to turn down roles that define Black or African women by suffering, even if it meant working less.
- Nyong’o recalled press think pieces questioning her future, which she believes were influenced by racism and colorism.
- The comments came in a conversation with Angélique Kidjo that has renewed discussion of typecasting in Hollywood.
- Despite early typecasting attempts, she built a varied résumé with Star Wars, Black Panther, Us, A Quiet Place: Day One, and has upcoming projects including Lunik Heist and Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey.