Kenyan Oscar nominee Lupita Nyong’o beat top Hollywood heavyweights to scoop the Best Supporting Actress award at the Critics Choice Awards held in Santa Monica, California Thursday night.
Fresh from her Oscar nomination in the Best Supporting Actress category earlier in the day, Lupita beat out a strong group of Hollywood actresses including Oprah Winfrey who played Lee Daniels in the movie The Butler, Jennifer Lawrence (American Hustle), Scarlett Johansson (Her), Julia Roberts (August; Osage County) and June Squibb (Nebraska).
Jennifer Lawrence beat Lupita for the same honour during last weekend’s Golden Globe awards.
When she was announced as the winner, a clearly startled Lupita was beamed on US televisions as a huge applause rang out in the room.
The Kenyan actress earned a standing ovation from Oprah and part of the audience.
PAID TRIBUTE TO UNCLE
During her acceptance speech, Lupita paid tribute to her uncle; Aggrey Nyong’o who she said was always present to see her perform in most of her theatrical performances. WATCH HER ACCEPTANCE SPEECH HERE
“I would like to dedicate this (award) to my uncle Aggrey Nyong’o who always came to watch every single play I was in and in one of the last performances he saw me in, he said “you are good,” Lupita said, pausing for applause from the audience.
“He didn’t live to see this day but I am sure he is proud of me,” she added.
Lupita seemed much more at ease on the stage than in prior award ceremonies and cracked a couple of jokes which brought the audience to a hearty laughter.
“Thank you Julia Roberts for making my brother the coolest kid in school for taking a picture with him,” she joked much to the delight of the audience and the actress herself.
Since her Hollywood debut, Lupita has won over movie critics and fans as well fashion critics.
Over the last few months, various US style magazines have praised her sense of fashion and have clearly embraced her.
Just hours before the awards ceremony, a US magazine Vanity Fair caused an uproar when they posted a seemingly digitally enhanced photo of the Kenyan actress.
Many readers accused the magazine of digitally lightening Lupita’s skin.
The magazine has not responded to the accusations.-nation.co.ke
