Lupita Nyong’o has landed her first ever Vogue cover, reportedly becoming the second black African woman to do so.
This is definitely Lupita’s year. In March, the 31-year-old actress won her first Oscar for her role in ’12 Years a Slave.’ Three months later, she landed a role on Star Wars: Episode VII. And now, Vogue. Below are some excerpts of what Lupita had to share with the mag:
On seeing herself in 12 Years a Slave: “I was really nervous about seeing myself in 12 Years a Slave because it had been such a profound experience in all ways. I remember it being one of the most joyful times in my life — and also one of the most sorrowful. I didn’t want my experience to be a vain one. But I will say that when I watched it, my heartstrings were pulled so tight for [the main character] Solomon that I couldn’t go into the ego trip. I cried — I mean, I was inconsolable. I wept for an hour after the movie.”
On paparazzi for the first time: “For a split second I looked behind me to see who they were flashing at — and it was me! That was, I think, the beginning of the end of my anonymity.”
On Star Wars‘ R2-D2 and C-3PO: “They just resonated with me. Being able to convey emotions with just a few digital sounds—it speaks of good storytelling… It’s a wonderful opportunity to be working in these fantastical realms. They’re worlds away from 12 Years a Slave, that’s for sure—but that kind of diversity is what dreams are made of.”