The Fashion Side Of My Life Is New And Exciting - Lupita Nyong’o

Oscar award winner Lupita Nyong’o dazzled Hollywood and the world with her Blue Prada dress last year. Since then, she was branded Hollywood’s fashion ‘it’ girl and her style is followed keenly. She talks fashion and her plan to wear clothes made in Kenya and Africa. Cheptoek Boyo talked to the actress at the sidelines of an event organised to crown her an anti-poaching crusader this week

How does it feel to be back home after a year of anticipation?

It is really good and it has been busy. It is not the usual homecoming where you hang out with family.

Has Nairobi changed in your eyes?

It has been long since I was in the country. I came briefly for my sister’s wedding then I went back. This is the first time after many years that I am spending time in Nairobi I can’t recognise it. A lot of things have changed, especially the roads.

Why did it take so long for you to come back home?

Work. I have been building my career. I am really excited to be back home a year later. I hope it is never too late to come back home. I am particularly pleased that I have come with something to say, something that will enrich my life and that of Kenyans. I am happy to share this moment now.

You are fashion-forward and there are a lot of Kenyan designers who are disappointed you did not dress in their designs. What is your answer to that?

The fashion side of my life is new and exciting. Now, I am keener to learn more about Kenyan and African designers. My stylist and I are on a major research about African fashion. I have definitely gotten in touch with some Kenyan designers.

As an actress in Hollywood and being black and Kenyan, did you have to work twice as harder as everyone else?

My journey into the limelight has been exceptional. I know actors who have had it rough and it took them years to get noticed and establish themselves. On the contrary, my journey has been quick and fast. For that reason, I lost my privacy. However, I have embraced and welcomed it.

Tell us about the movie Queen of Katwe, you have just concluded shooting in Uganda.

I play the mother of chess queen Phiona Mutesi, Harriet Mutesi. Harriet is a mother of four children and does not believe in dreaming big. Consequently, she is fearful for her daughter’s rise in the world of chess. It was wonderful for me because I got to be a mother, something I don’t know how to be, but I opened my heart and I got to connect with my mothering instinct. I am looking forward to share it with the world.

When you won the Oscars you automatically got to the top. Do you fear the Oscars jinx?

Oscars is the top most accolade for an actress. I have to free myself from that expectation. It was recognition for a role, but I still have many roles to play. I don’t think winning an Oscar gave me value, but the role I played did. I want to continue to play roles that challenge me and require me to speak to humanity. I want to inspire people.

Being now an ambassador of WildAid, do you think if we increase the price of Ivory we will decrease poaching?

That will increase poaching, it is because ivory is so valuable that people go to great lengths to poach. What we need is to devalue ivory and make the only thing that wears it be the elephants only.

What else should be done do tackle poaching?

The laws need to be strict. We also have to look for ways to lower the demand for ivory.

What is your take on all the pressure you get as a star?

My responsibility is primarily to myself and what I feel is my purpose on this earth. When that is done, then I serve others. I do not put people’s expectations first. If I do that, I will lose track of my purpose.

Do you still audition for movies?

Sometimes.