Lupita Amondi Nyong'o (born 1 March 1983) is a Kenyan-Mexican actress, author, and filmmaker. She rose to international prominence for her portrayal of Patsey in the 2013 historical drama 12 Years a Slave, for which she received the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, making her the first Kenyan and the second black actress to win in that category. Nyong'o has since appeared in a variety of film, television, and stage productions and is active in humanitarian and advocacy work.
Early life and education
Nyong'o was born in Mexico City, Mexico, to Kenyan parents: professor and political analyst Peter Nyong'o and biochemist Dorothy Ogada Buyu. Her family returned to Kenya shortly after her birth, where she was raised in the town of Nyakanga, Kisumu County. She attended St. Mary's School, Nairobi, and later studied at Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts, earning a Bachelor of Arts in drama and film. She pursued graduate studies at the Yale School of Drama, obtaining a Master of Fine Arts in acting in 2012.
Career
Film
- 12 Years a Slave (2013) – Patsey; Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
- Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) – Maz Kanata (voice).
- The Jungle Book (2016) – Voice of Raksha and Shanti.
- Black Panther (2018) – Nakia, a member of the Wakandan intelligence agency.
- Us (2019) – Adelaide Wilson / Red; received a Saturn Award nomination.
- The 355 (2022) – Marie.
Television
- Shuga (2009) – Featured in the Kenyan MTV drama series.
- Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022) – Continued the role of Nakia.
Theatre
- Performed in stage productions such as Eclipsed (2015) at the Lincoln Center, portraying a Liberian rebel soldier.
Authorship
- Published the children’s book Sulwe (2019), addressing themes of colorism and self-acceptance.
Awards and honors
- Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress (2014) – 12 Years a Slave.
- BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role (2014).
- Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture (2014).
- Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role (2014).
- National Board of Review Breakthrough Performance Award (2013).
- Honored with the National Geographic Explorer Grant (2020) for a documentary on Maasai women’s rituals.
Personal life
Nyong'o is married to financier and venture capitalist Hamlet Matsanga and they have a daughter, born in 2022. She is a vocal advocate for women's rights, the representation of people of color in media, and environmental issues. Nyong'o is a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and has participated in campaigns addressing malaria prevention, gender equality, and education.
Philanthropy and activism
- Supported the time's Up movement and the #MeToo campaign.
- Served as a spokesperson for the Global Fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.
- Involved with the African Wildlife Foundation, focusing on wildlife conservation in Kenya.
Public image
Nyong'o is frequently listed among the world's most influential and best-dressed women by publications such as Time, Vogue, and The Hollywood Reporter. Her fashion choices and public speaking engagements have cemented her status as a cultural icon beyond her acting career.