Episode 1572 - Lupita Nyong'o
Digest
This podcast episode features an interview with Lupita Nyong'o, a renowned actress known for her roles in films like "12 Years a Slave" and "Black Panther." The episode begins with Mark Marin introducing his podcast, "WTF," and then transitions into a conversation with Nyong'o. Nyong'o shares her experiences growing up in Kenya under an autocratic regime, highlighting the impact of such a system on her life and her family. She discusses the threat of autocracy and its potential to silence voices and suppress freedom of speech. Nyong'o also reflects on her childhood in Mexico, where she encountered colorism and the internalization of racism. The conversation delves into Nyong'o's journey to becoming an actor, including her decision to pursue acting after a period of self-reflection and her acceptance into Yale Drama School. She discusses her early success in "12 Years a Slave" and the fear of typecasting that followed. Nyong'o shares how she navigated her career after winning an Academy Award, actively seeking out roles that challenged stereotypes and allowed her to explore different characters and genres. The episode also touches on Nyong'o's experience working on "Black Panther," highlighting its aspirational nature and its ability to offer a glimpse into a world where Black culture and identity are celebrated and empowered. She reflects on the loss of Chadwick Boseman and the impact it had on the "Black Panther" cast and crew. Nyong'o concludes the interview by discussing her children's book, "Sue Way," which explores themes of colorism and self-acceptance, drawing inspiration from her own experiences. Throughout the interview, Nyong'o emphasizes the importance of art and freedom of speech, highlighting how they can foster growth and consciousness. She also discusses the challenges facing the show business industry in Kenya and the need for greater support for artists.
Outlines
Introduction and Interview with Lupita Nyong'o
The podcast begins with a brief introduction and then transitions into an interview with Lupita Nyong'o, a renowned actress known for her roles in films like "12 Years a Slave" and "Black Panther."
Lupita Nyong'o's Experiences with Autocracy and Colorism
Lupita Nyong'o shares her experiences growing up in Kenya under an autocratic regime, highlighting the impact of such a system on her life and her family. She discusses the threat of autocracy and its potential to silence voices and suppress freedom of speech. Nyong'o also reflects on her childhood in Mexico, where she encountered colorism and the internalization of racism.
The Importance of Art and Freedom of Speech
Nyong'o emphasizes the importance of art and freedom of speech, highlighting how they can foster growth and consciousness. She also discusses the challenges facing the show business industry in Kenya and the need for greater support for artists.
Lupita's Journey to Becoming an Actor
The conversation delves into Nyong'o's journey to becoming an actor, including her decision to pursue acting after a period of self-reflection and her acceptance into Yale Drama School. She discusses her early success in "12 Years a Slave" and the fear of typecasting that followed.
Navigating Success and Avoiding Typecasting
Nyong'o shares how she navigated her career after winning an Academy Award, actively seeking out roles that challenged stereotypes and allowed her to explore different characters and genres.
The Impact of "Black Panther" and the Loss of Chadwick Boseman
The episode also touches on Nyong'o's experience working on "Black Panther," highlighting its aspirational nature and its ability to offer a glimpse into a world where Black culture and identity are celebrated and empowered. She reflects on the loss of Chadwick Boseman and the impact it had on the "Black Panther" cast and crew.
Lupita's Children's Book and Final Thoughts
Nyong'o concludes the interview by discussing her children's book, "Sue Way," which explores themes of colorism and self-acceptance, drawing inspiration from her own experiences.
Keywords
Autocracy
A system of government where supreme power is concentrated in the hands of one person or a small group of people, often with little or no accountability to the people.
Colorism
Prejudice or discrimination against individuals with darker skin tones within the same racial or ethnic group.
Brain Drain
The emigration of highly skilled and educated individuals from a country, often due to limited opportunities or better prospects elsewhere.
Albinism
A genetic condition characterized by a lack of melanin pigment in the skin, hair, and eyes.
Indigenous Knowledge
Traditional knowledge systems and practices developed by Indigenous peoples over generations, often based on deep understanding of their environment and culture.
Global Citizen
An individual who identifies with and acts on behalf of the global community, recognizing their interconnectedness and shared responsibility for the world's well-being.
Thespian
An actor, especially one who is skilled and passionate about their craft.
Typecasting
The practice of repeatedly casting an actor in similar roles, often based on their appearance or previous performances.
Q&A
What are some of the key differences between living in LA and New York, according to Lupita Nyong'o?
Lupita Nyong'o finds LA to be more sprawling and less community-oriented than New York. She feels it's harder to build a sense of community in LA, as people tend to stay within their own neighborhoods and are less willing to travel for social gatherings.
How did Lupita Nyong'o's childhood experiences in Kenya shape her views on the American ego?
Growing up in Kenya under an autocratic regime, Lupita Nyong'o observed a different kind of national ego compared to the American one. She feels that the American ego is characterized by entitlement, competitiveness, and a sense of deservingness, which she attributes to the country's relative stability and safety nets.
What are some of the challenges facing the show business industry in Kenya?
The show business industry in Kenya is still growing and faces challenges such as a lack of legal protections for creative material, piracy, and limited opportunities for artists.
How did Lupita Nyong'o's experience with colorism in Mexico differ from her experience in Kenya?
Lupita Nyong'o experienced colorism in both Kenya and Mexico, but in different ways. In Kenya, she felt marginalized due to European standards of beauty, while in Mexico, she was treated as a fascinating oddity and objectified by men.
What is the significance of Lupita Nyong'o's documentary about albinism in Kenya?
Lupita Nyong'o's documentary about albinism in Kenya raised awareness about the discrimination faced by people with albinism in the country. It also helped to ensure that the albinism community was included in the next census, allowing for better access to services.
How did Lupita Nyong'o's experience at Hampshire College prepare her for her acting career?
Hampshire College's self-directed learning approach challenged Lupita Nyong'o to be resourceful, self-motivated, and confident. This experience helped her develop the skills and resilience needed to navigate the competitive world of acting.
What is Lupita Nyong'o's perspective on the importance of art and freedom of speech?
Lupita Nyong'o believes that art and freedom of speech are essential for fostering growth and consciousness. She argues that art can challenge societal norms, offer different perspectives, and even spark revolutions.
How did Lupita Nyong'o's father's political activism influence her life?
Lupita Nyong'o's father's political activism in Kenya exposed her to the realities of autocracy and the importance of speaking up for what is right. His experiences also instilled in her a deep appreciation for democracy and freedom of speech.
How did Lupita's experience playing Patsy in "12 Years a Slave" impact her understanding of American history?
Playing Patsy personalized American history for Lupita, giving her a visceral understanding of the struggles and resilience of African Americans. She realized that her previous understanding of African American history was limited and shaped by stereotypical portrayals in media.
Show Notes
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