Lupita Nyong’o awarded the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture award for her role in “12 Years a Slave” at the 45th NAACP Image Awards.
More Details
At the 56th NAACP Image Awards held on February 22, 2025, Lupita Nyong’o received two prestigious honors.
She was awarded Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance in a Motion Picture for her role in The Wild Robot. Additionally, she won Outstanding Breakthrough Performance in a Motion Picture for her role in The Six Triple Eight.
In her acceptance speech, Nyong’o expressed her gratitude, stating, “I’m away in my homeland doing some work and I just want to share how honored I am, so so deeply honored for this kind of recognition.
Thank you so much for recognizing our film this way. I feel so proud to be part of this community”.
These accolades highlight Nyong’o’s versatility and significant contributions to the film industry.
About Lupita Nyong’o
Lupita Nyong’o is a Kenyan-Mexican actress renowned for her compelling performances across film, television, and theater. Born on March 1, 1983, in Mexico City to Kenyan parents, she was raised in Kenya from the age of three.
Nyong’o pursued higher education in the United States, earning a bachelor’s degree in film and theatre studies from Hampshire College and a Master of Fine Arts from the Yale School of Drama.
Career Highlights
Breakthrough Role: Nyong’o gained international acclaim with her portrayal of Patsey in 12 Years a Slave (2013), earning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, making her the first Mexican and Kenyan actress to win an Oscar.
Notable Film Roles:
- Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) and its sequels, where she voiced Maz Kanata.
- The Jungle Book (2016), voicing Raksha.
- Queen of Katwe (2016), portraying a Ugandan mother.
- Black Panther (2018) and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022), as Nakia.
- Us (2019), in dual roles.
- A Quiet Place: Day One (2024), a prequel to the horror franchise .
Television & Voice Work:
- Narrated the Discovery Channel’s Serengeti (2019), earning an Emmy nomination.
- Executive produced and voiced the lead in Super Sema (2021), Africa’s first superhero animated series.
- Hosted the podcast Mind Your Own, sharing stories from the African diaspora .
Personal Life & Advocacy
Fluent in English, Spanish, Luo, and Swahili, Nyong’o is an advocate for diversity and representation in media. She has been involved in various philanthropic efforts, including serving as an ambassador for Michael Kors’ “Watch Hunger Stop” campaign and supporting initiatives like the Harlem School of the Arts’ Mask Ball.
In 2024, Nyong’o became a U.S. citizen and expressed her intention to vote in the presidential election, supporting Kamala Harris.
Recent Achievements
At the 56th NAACP Image Awards in February 2025, Nyong’o received two accolades: Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance in a Motion Picture for The Wild Robot and Outstanding Breakthrough Performance in a Motion Picture for The Six Triple Eight .
Lupita Nyong’o continues to inspire audiences worldwide with her talent, advocacy, and commitment to authentic storytelling.
