Hearing the name Lupita Nyong’o called at the Oscars for Best Supporting Actress brought on excitement as well as tears. The excitement stemmed from actually seeing her performance as Patsey on the big screen in 12 Years A Slave. She was amazing. Although I wasn’t a huge fan of the entire movie, I thought the acting was outstanding and deserved any accolades that naturally followed, including the best picture win.
Not only did Lupita look stunning on the red carpet in her beautiful gown and rocking her natural hair, she shined while winning the best supporting actress honor. Her speech touched my heart and spoke to black girls everywhere. It’s so important for our young girls to see familiar images and to witness the results of hard work. Any dream we have must be nurtured with dedication and training as Lupita highlighted as she mentioned her Yale education.
Lupita has been a class act off screen as well. She reminds us of what real beauty is, inside and out. Her grace and humility always stand out most for me. Her speech inspired us all and reminded us of what is really possible.
Thank you to the Academy for this incredible recognition. It doesn’t escape me for one moment that so much joy in my life is thanks to so much pain in someone else’s. And so I want to salute the spirit of Patsey for her guidance. And for Solomon, thank you for telling her story and your own. Steve McQueen, you charge everything you fashion with a breath of your own spirit. Thank you so much for putting me in this position, it’s been the joy of my life. I’m certain that the dead are standing about you and watching and they are grateful and so am I.
Chiwetel, thank you for your fearlessness and how deeply you went into Solomon, telling Solomon’s story. Michael Fassbender, thank you so much. You were my rock. Alfre and Sarah, it was a thrill to work with you. Joe Walker, the invisible performer in the editing room, thank you. Sean Bobbitt, Kalaadevi, Adruitha, Patty Norris, thank you, thank you, thank you — I could not be here without your work.
I want to thank my family, for your training and the Yale School of Drama as well, for your training. My friends the Wilsons, this one’s for you. My brother Junior sitting by my side, thank you so much, you’re my best friend and then my other best friend, my chosen family.
When I look down at this golden statue, may it remind me and every little child that no matter where you’re from, your dreams are valid. Thank you. `Lupita Nyong’o
Again, congrats to Lupita on a job well done in 12 Years A Slave, but also for demonstrating grace, beauty and confidence.
BMWK, what did you think of Lupita’s acceptance speech at the Oscars?
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