Following Her 2014 Oscar Win, Lupita Nyong’o Reflects on the Life Advice Emma Thompson Gave Her
Lupita Nyong’o experienced a wave of fear following her major Oscar win, but Emma Thompson’s advice ultimately saved her!
Back in 2014, the actress won the Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her debut big-screen performance in 12 Years a Slave, which left her feeling uncertain about her future in the industry. However, after seeking guidance from the Bridget Jones actress, Lupita found assurance in her “inner navigator.”
Although Lupita had been involved in theater for some time, winning an Oscar for her first film performance caught her off guard. The overwhelming fear of how she could surpass her Oscar-winning role as Patsey plagued her mind, as the Academy Awards were seen as the peak of one’s career.
During an event celebrating Lupita Nyong’o, the actress candidly shared her insecurities with PEOPLE. She expressed concerns about the “Oscar’s curse” for Best Supporting Actress and the pressure to continue delivering exceptional performances. Lupita worried about potentially having a career slump after such a monumental achievement.
However, Emma Thompson’s words resonated deeply with Lupita, encouraging her to follow her passions, including pursuing a play on Broadway. The British actress urged Lupita to trust her instincts and follow her own path, which she wholeheartedly embraced.
Following Thompson’s advice, Lupita delved back into acting, ignoring the naysayers and returning to Broadway for the play Eclipsed. This experience reaffirmed her love for acting and solidified her belief in her own instincts. Ultimately, Lupita’s decision to trust her “inner navigator” led to a Tony nomination for her role in Eclipsed, reaffirming that returning to her roots was the right choice.