Lupita Nyong'o is a Kenyan-Mexican actress known for her award-winning performances. She has received an Academy Award and a Daytime Emmy Award, along with nominations for a Tony Award and a Golden Globe Award. Her dual heritage adds a unique dimension to her presence in the film industry.
1967: Release of Disney's Animated "The Jungle Book"
Disney released the animated film adaptation of "The Jungle Book" in 1967. This film served as the basis for the 2016 live-action/CGI adaptation in which Lupita Nyong'o voiced the character Raksha.
1980: Nyong'o Family Flees Kenya
In 1980, the Nyong'o family left Kenya due to political repression and unrest. Peter's brother, Charles Nyong'o, disappeared after he was thrown off a ferry in 1980.
March 1983: Lupita Nyong'o is Born
Lupita Amondi Nyong'o was born in March 1983 in Mexico City to Kenyan parents, Dorothy Ogada Buyu and Peter Anyang' Nyong'o, a college professor.
March 1983: Lupita Nyong'o is Born
Lupita Amondi Nyong'o was born in March 1983 in Mexico City, Mexico to Kenyan parents, Dorothy Ogada Buyu and Peter Anyang' Nyong'o.
2001: Nyong'o Graduates High School
In 2001, Nyong'o graduated from St. Mary's School in Nairobi with an IB Diploma.
2005: Production Crew for "The Constant Gardener"
In 2005, Nyong'o worked as part of the production crew for Fernando Meirelles's "The Constant Gardener".
2006: Production Crew for "The Namesake"
In 2006, Nyong'o worked as part of the production crew for Mira Nair's "The Namesake".
2007: Production Crew for "Where God Left His Shoes"
In 2007, Nyong'o worked as part of the production crew for Salvatore Stabile's "Where God Left His Shoes".
2008: Acting Debut in "East River"
In 2008, Nyong'o made her acting debut in the short film "East River", directed by Marc Grey.
2009: Understudying "Eclipsed" at Yale
In 2009, Lupita Nyong'o understudied the play "Eclipsed" at Yale. She would later go on to star in the Broadway production of the play in 2015.
2009: Documentary "In My Genes" and Music Video Direction
In 2009, Nyong'o wrote, directed, and produced the documentary "In My Genes" about the discriminatory treatment of Kenya's albino population. She also directed the music video "The Little Things You Do" by Wahu, featuring Bobi Wine, which was nominated for the Best Video Award at the MTV Africa Music Awards 2009.
2011: Nyong'o Allegedly Harassed by Harvey Weinstein
Lupita Nyong'o was allegedly harassed by Harvey Weinstein in 2011.
2011: Wins Herschel Williams Prize
While at Yale, she won the Herschel Williams Prize in the 2011–12 academic year for "acting students with outstanding ability".
2013: Breakthrough Role in "12 Years a Slave" and Academy Award Win
In 2013, Nyong'o landed her breakthrough role in Steve McQueen's historical drama "12 Years a Slave". Her performance as Patsey garnered rave reviews and numerous accolades, including the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
2013: Nyong'o Included in Harper's Bazaar Best Dressed List
In 2013, Derek Blasberg included Nyong'o in his Best Dressed list for Harper's Bazaar.
February 2014: Nyong'o Speaks on Black Beauty and Personal Insecurities
In February 2014, at the Essence Black Women in Hollywood luncheon, Nyong'o spoke about overcoming insecurities she had about her appearance as a teenager, and how seeing the success of Alek Wek changed her perspective.
July 2014: Nyong'o Covers Vogue and Elle
In July 2014, Nyong'o graced the cover of Vogue, becoming the second African woman and ninth Black woman to do so. She also appeared on the cover of Elle France that same month.
October 2014: Nyong'o Joins Efforts to Preserve Shockoe Bottom
In October 2014, Nyong'o joined the National Trust for Historic Preservation to oppose a development project in Richmond, Virginia's Shockoe Bottom area, a site of major slave-trading before the Civil War. Nyong'o wrote a letter to the mayor and posted it on social media urging him to reconsider his support for the project. She also lent her voice to Conservation International's "Nature Is Speaking" campaign.
2014: Nyong'o Becomes Face of Miu Miu and Lancôme
In 2014, Nyong'o was chosen for Miu Miu's spring campaign and named "The Most Beautiful Woman" by People magazine. She also became the first Black woman to represent Lancôme.
2014: Nyong'o Mentioned in Songs by Lecrae and Jay-Z
In 2014, Nyong'o was mentioned in the song "Nuthin" by Christian rapper Lecrae and referenced by Jay-Z in "We Made It."
2014: Supporting Role in "Non-Stop"
Nyong'o had a supporting role in the action-thriller "Non-Stop" in 2014.
June 2015: Nyong'o Becomes WildAid's Global Elephant Ambassador
In June 2015, Nyong'o announced her partnership with WildAid to advocate for elephant conservation and promote women's issues, acting, and the arts in Kenya.
October 2015: Nyong'o Covers Vogue and Honored with "Lupita Nyong'o Day"
In October 2015, Nyong'o appeared on her second Vogue cover in a row. Congressman Charles Rangel and Voza Rivers declared the day "Lupita Nyong'o Day" in Harlem, New York, during an event that month.
2015: Eclipsed Premiere and Success
In 2015, Lupita Nyong'o starred in the play "Eclipsed" by Danai Gurira, which quickly became a success at the Public Theater. Set during the Second Liberian Civil War, the play revolves around the captive wives of a rebel officer. Nyong'o's performance as a new girl who joins their community earned her an Obie Award.
2015: Stars as Maz Kanata in "Star Wars: The Force Awakens"
In 2015, Nyong'o co-starred in "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" as Maz Kanata, a CGI character created using motion capture technology.
2015: Nyong'o Declines Role in "Southpaw"
Nyong'o turned down a role in the Weinstein-distributed film "Southpaw" in 2015.
2015: Nyong'o Featured in Songs by Sauti Sol and Wale
Nyong'o was mentioned in the 2015 song "Nerea" by Kenyan afro-pop band Sauti Sol and referenced by rapper Wale in "Black is Gold."
April 2016: Nyong'o Launches Anti-Poaching Campaign with WildAid
In April 2016, preceding the Kenyan Wildlife Service's ivory burn, Nyong'o launched a campaign with WildAid to combat elephant and rhinoceros poaching.
May 2016: Nyong'o Honored with Portrait at Sardi's Restaurant
Nyong'o was honored with a caricature portrait at Sardi's restaurant in New York City in May 2016 to mark her Broadway debut.
October 2016: Nyong'o Covers Vogue for Third Time and Honored at Elle Women in Hollywood Awards
Nyong'o appeared on her third Vogue cover in October 2016 and was honored at the Elle Women in Hollywood Awards that month.
2016: Nominated for Saturn and MTV Movie Awards
Nyong'o was nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the 42nd Saturn Awards and Best Virtual Performance at the 2016 MTV Movie Awards for her role as Maz Kanata.
2016: Voice Role in "The Jungle Book" and "Queen of Katwe" Release
In 2016, Lupita Nyong'o voiced Raksha, the mother wolf in Jon Favreau's live-action/CGI adaptation of "The Jungle Book". The same year, she co-starred in Mira Nair's biographical drama "Queen of Katwe" as Nakku Harriet, the mother of Ugandan chess prodigy Phiona Mutesi.
2016: Nyong'o Advocates for Mother Health International
In 2016, Nyong'o brought attention to Mother Health International and their work in Uganda providing birthing centers for women and children. She was honored by Variety for her efforts.
January 2017: Vanity Fair Cover and Hair Controversy
In January 2017, Nyong'o was featured on the cover of Vanity Fair's Hollywood Issue. This was the start of a series of magazine covers, but one in November with Grazia UK sparked controversy as the magazine edited Nyong'o's hair without her consent. Nyong'o spoke out about the incident, advocating for the embrace of natural hair, especially "African kinky hair."
October 2017: The Sunday Times Magazine Cover
In October 2017, Lupita Nyong'o appeared on the cover of UK's The Sunday Times Magazine.
October 2017: Nyong'o Accuses Harvey Weinstein of Sexual Harassment
In October 2017, Nyong'o published an op-ed in the New York Times, revealing that she had been sexually harassed by Harvey Weinstein on two occasions in 2011. She also discussed her commitment to working with female directors and male feminist directors who have not abused their power.
November 2017: Grazia UK Cover and Hair Controversy
Lupita Nyong'o appeared on the cover of Grazia UK magazine in November 2017. However, the cover sparked controversy because the magazine altered her hair to conform to European beauty standards. Nyong'o used this as an opportunity to speak out about embracing natural hair and collaborated with Vernon François to demonstrate its versatility.
December 2017: Fourth Vogue Cover and Pirelli Calendar Feature
In December 2017, Lupita Nyong'o achieved a milestone by landing her fourth consecutive Vogue cover, this time for the January 2018 issue. This accomplishment made her the first black actress to achieve such a feat. Adding to her achievements, she was also featured in Tim Walker's 2018 Pirelli Calendar, themed around Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, where she portrayed the character of The Dormouse.
January 2018: Vogue Cover Milestone
In January 2018, Lupita Nyong'o graced the cover of Vogue, marking her fourth consecutive Vogue cover. This achievement distinguished her as the first black actress to accomplish this milestone.
June 2018: Hollywood Walk of Fame Honoree Announcement
In June 2018, The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce announced that Lupita Nyong'o would be honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the film category, recognizing her significant contributions to the film industry.
October 2018: Elle's "Women in Hollywood" and Vogue España Cover
In October 2018, Lupita Nyong'o, along with her "Black Panther" co-stars Danai Gurira and Angela Bassett, were honored for the second time by Elle magazine in their "Women in Hollywood" issue. Nyong'o also was featured on the cover of Vogue España's November 2018 edition.
November 2018: Vogue España Cover
Lupita Nyong'o was featured on the cover of Vogue España's November 2018 edition.
2018: Starring Role in "Black Panther"
In 2018, Lupita Nyong'o starred as Nakia in Marvel's "Black Panther", marking a significant milestone in her career. She learned Xhosa and trained extensively in various martial arts for the role.
2018: Nyong'o's Op-Ed Contributes to Pulitzer Prize Win
In 2018, a collection of stories by the New York Times and the New Yorker, including Nyong'o's op-ed about Harvey Weinstein, won the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service.
September 2019: Nyong'o Becomes Michael Kors Ambassador
Nyong'o became an ambassador for Michael Kors' "Watch Hunger Stop" campaign in September 2019.
October 2019: Vanity Fair Cover and Musical Debut
In October 2019, Lupita Nyong'o graced the cover of Vanity Fair. This same month she ventured into the music world with her debut single, "Sulwe's Song," inspired by her book "Sulwe."
2019: Hollywood Walk of Fame Honoree
Lupita Nyong'o was honored as a recipient of a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2019.
2019: Nyong'o Releases Children's Book "Sulwe"
Nyong'o published her first book, "Sulwe," in 2019, which became a New York Times Best Seller. The book tells the story of a five-year-old Kenyan girl with the darkest complexion in her family, drawing on Nyong'o's personal experiences.
2019: Narrating "Serengeti", "Warrior Women", and Reprising Maz Kanata
In 2019, Lupita Nyong'o narrated the Discovery Channel documentary series "Serengeti", using her native Kenyan accent, and earned an Emmy nomination. She also hosted the Channel 4 documentary "Warrior Women", exploring the Dahomey Amazons in Benin. Additionally, she reprised her role as Maz Kanata in "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker".
2019: "Little Monsters" and "Us" Released
Lupita Nyong'o starred in two horror films released in 2019: the comedy horror "Little Monsters", where she played a kindergarten teacher facing a zombie apocalypse, and Jordan Peele's psychological horror "Us", where she played dual roles as Adelaide Wilson and her doppelgänger, Red.
2019: Continued Narration of "Serengeti"
Lupita Nyong'o continued her narration work for the Discovery Channel's "Serengeti" documentary series in 2019, earning her a second Primetime Emmy Award nomination in 2021.
2019: Nyong'o Announces Multiple Upcoming Projects
In 2019, Lupita Nyong'o announced she was working on a tv series based on "Americanah," starring in "Born a Crime," reuniting with Abe Forsythe for a sci-fi comedy, and producing a musical adaptation of "Sulwe" for Netflix. She was also set to star in "A Quiet Place: Day One."
2019: Nyong'o Referenced in Song by Beyoncé
Beyoncé mentioned Nyong'o in her 2019 single "Brown Skin Girl" from "The Lion King: The Gift" album.
February 2020: British Vogue Cover
Lupita Nyong'o marked a significant achievement in February 2020 by appearing on the cover of British Vogue for the first time, further solidifying her status as a fashion icon.
March 2020: Forbes' 50 Most Powerful Women
In March 2020, Lupita Nyong'o's influence and accomplishments were recognized by Forbes, as she was included in their prestigious list of Africa's "50 Most Powerful Women." This recognition highlighted her significant contributions and leadership within her field.
July 2020: Appearance in "Black Is King" and "Together at Home"
In July 2020, Lupita Nyong'o appeared in Beyoncé's musical film "Black Is King", which premiered on Disney+. Earlier that year, she participated in the "Together at Home" television special organized by Global Citizen.
2020: "Melanin" Song Nomination and Top 100 Influential Africans
In 2020, "Melanin," a song by Ciara featuring Lupita Nyong'o (under the moniker "Troublemaker"), La La Anthony, City Girls, and Ester Dean, received a nomination for the Her Award at the 2020 BET Awards. Lupita Nyong'o was also recognized by New African magazine as one of the 100 most influential Africans of 2019.
2020: "Sulwe" Receives Multiple Awards
In 2020, "Sulwe" was recognized with an Illustrator Honor at the Coretta Scott King Awards and won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work – Children.
2020: Nyong'o Joins The Africa Center Board of Trustees
In 2020, The Africa Center welcomed Nyong'o to its board of trustees.
2020: Involvement in "Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices"
Lupita Nyong'o contributed to the Netflix television series "Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices" in 2020. Her work on the series earned her an Emmy Award in 2021.
2021: "Super Sema", "Romeo y Julieta", and Emmy Award
Lupita Nyong'o executive produced and voiced a character in Africa's first kid superhero animated series, "Super Sema", in 2021. She also starred in the bilingual radio play "Romeo y Julieta" and narrated the Apple TV+ documentary "Who Are You, Charlie Brown?". Additionally, she won a Daytime Emmy Award for her work on the Netflix series "Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices".
November 2022: "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" Release
Lupita Nyong'o reprised her role as Nakia in the sequel "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever", released in November 2022. This followed her roles in the spy thriller "The 355" and the adult animated sitcom "Human Resources" earlier that year.