Acclaimed Kenyan actress and Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o has recently shared her journey of reclaiming her native accent after years of masking it to succeed in Hollywood.
In the inaugural episode of her podcast “Mind Your Own,” Lupita candidly discusses her complex relationship with her voice and the challenges she faced in the entertainment industry. Born in Mexico to Kenyan parents, Lupita spent her formative years in Kenya before returning to Mexico at age 17. Her diverse upbringing shaped her linguistic identity, but the scarcity of Kenyan-accented actors in Hollywood led her to adopt an American accent to enhance her career prospects. This decision, while pragmatic, created an internal conflict for the actress.
Lupita Nyong’o conceived the idea for this podcast while she was stuck in traffic and wanted to listen to a story from Kenya, her hometown. She’s encouraging others in the African community worldwide to share their true-life stories from cities like Nairobi, Addis Ababa, and Johannesburg. The turning point in Nyong’o’s accent journey came on the eve of the press tour for “12 Years a Slave,” the film that would earn her an Academy Award. In a bold move, she informed her publicists of her decision to revert to her original Kenyan accent.
This choice was not merely personal; it was a statement that embracing one’s African identity is sufficient and valuable in the entertainment world. Lupita’s mother, Dorothy, played a crucial role in this decision. When consulted, she encouraged her daughter to embrace her roots, asserting that an accent is a representation of one’s life experiences. This maternal wisdom provided Lupita with the confidence to move forward with her decision.
The actress’s journey to self-acceptance has had a profound impact on her career trajectory. By embracing her authentic voice, Lupita has successfully secured roles in major productions that celebrate African narratives, such as “Black Panther” and “Queen of Katwe.” Her unique accent, which she now proudly calls “Lupita,” has become an integral part of her identity and artistic expression. Her story resonates deeply with many, particularly those who have felt pressure to alter their accents or identities to fit societal expectations.
