Lupita Nyong’o Tears Up Paying Tribute to ‘Black Panther’ Co-Star Chadwick Boseman: ‘I Don’t Run Away From the Grief’

As a seasoned movie buff with a soft spot for poignant stories and powerful performances, I find myself deeply moved by Lupita Nyong’o’s heartfelt tribute to her late “Black Panther” co-star, Chadwick Boseman. Her raw emotions and profound words serve as a testament to the deep bond they shared on and off-screen.


During a Q&A session at the BFI London Film Festival, Lupita Nyong’o became emotional as she honored her “Black Panther” fellow actor, Chadwick Boseman, by sharing heartfelt words about him.

Following the screening of a scene from the 2018 movie where Nyong’o portrayed Nakia alongside Boseman as T’Challa, the Emmy-winning actor confessed that she hadn’t watched the film since Chadwick passed away, and tears filled her eyes. Struggling to find words, Nyong’o was given the option to discuss her upcoming project, but she declined, taking a moment to gather her emotions before carrying on.

She expressed that the sorrow one feels is merely a manifestation of deep affection. There’s nowhere to store this emotion. Instead of avoiding it, she chooses to endure the tears and sadness that come with it.

Boseman died from colon cancer in 2020 at the age of 43.

Lupita Nyong’o disclosed that discussions were underway for her to play a character in another Marvel production. However, she hadn’t specified the movie title yet. It was her agent who informed her that ‘Black Panther’ director Ryan Coogler was keen on her for the part of Nakia.

Liam recalled a conversation with Ryan where he explained a captivating tale about a fictitious African nation, aiming to make it more politically insightful than the comic it originated from. When he concluded, Liam was taken aback and asked, “Is this a Marvel film? A Disney production?” To which Ryan replied affirmatively. Liam then inquired, “Is this your vision or did they agree to it?” And Ryan assured him, “No, no, no, they’re on board!

She went on to say, “From the start, I felt we were working on something truly extraordinary. If we manage to pull this off, it’s going to be nothing short of fantastic.

Nyong’o expressed that there was “a great deal of apprehension, undeniably from the executives — Marvel seemed quite nervous” as the movie was about to hit theaters. “But then the trailer came out, and we were all taken aback, exclaiming ‘Wow, this is massive!’. I recall we were in a group chat. We were exchanging memes and marveling at the worldwide response.

The film went on to break the $1 billion barrier globally in just 26 days.

As a devoted cinema enthusiast, I can’t help but reflect on the profound impact Chadwick Boseman had on me, both as a person and an actor. Losing him is still raw, a wound that may never fully heal. But in the midst of my grief, there’s a spark of joy – a chance to witness him again, this time on the big screen. To see him live through his captivating performance is truly a remarkable gift.

As a devoted cinephile, let me share an intriguing tidbit I learned during Lupita Nyong’o’s recent talk. She traced her journey back to her breakthrough role in “12 Years a Slave” and her upbringing in Kenya. What struck me was when she disclosed a charming anecdote – just a year before she took home the supporting actress Oscar in 2014, she watched that very ceremony right here at home, comfortably nestled in her pyjamas!

Prior to attending drama school, I hadn’t ever watched the Oscars. However, once I got there, we began having parties where we’d don fancy attire, sip champagne, and make comments about people’s outfits.

Her victory placed her among the small group of ten Black women who have ever been awarded an acting Oscar, a realization that Lupita Nyong’o fully appreciates. “It felt incredibly surreal,” she remarked about her triumph. “And then discovering the history – Hattie McDaniel and how she had to enter through the back door – it was simply astounding. It’s difficult to grasp the weight of that significance.

“So to be a part of that, of course, means a lot to me as a Black woman, as an immigrant.”

Nyong’o attended the BFI London Film Festival to publicize her new movie, the animated production “The Wild Robot.” In this film, she takes on the main role. During an interview, the actress disclosed that while recording her voice for the film, she sustained damage to her vocal cords. The character she portrays was modeled after optimistic AI assistants such as Siri and Alexa.

She mentioned that it was challenging to maintain what she was doing, as she found herself doing it frequently. At a certain point, her efforts led to an injury, resulting in a vocal polyp. Consequently, she was required to rest her voice for about three months to allow it to heal properly.

Read More

2024-10-14 20:47