Lupita Nyong’o (Vogue)
Lupita Nyong’o is earning praise from Black social media users for a quote she made in a fashion magazine. The comment landed on the publication’s cover and caused many to see it as a welcome change in the industry.
The Vogue magazine quote cements Nyong’o’s representation of African-Americans and minorities.
“I want to create opportunities for people of color.”
Twitter flocked to the cover-worthy message.
@KILLJAY shared the magazine photo spread simply accompanied by Nyong’o’s quote.
https://twitter.com/KlLLJAY/status/776566474710417408
Evette Dionne said she “never thought” the quote could make it as a cover line on the fashion magazine.
https://twitter.com/freeblackgirl/status/776402097734619136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Nyong’o made the remark while addressing her work with friend Salima Visram, who developed a solar-powered backpack to help Kenyan students study.
Forbes reported Nyong’o and the Soular Backpack team went to Katwe, Uganda with Disney after Queen of Katwe filming ended. There, they handed out the backpacks.
“There are certain cards that have been dealt me that I take on,” Nyong’o told Vogue in the October issue. “I want to create opportunities for other people of color because I’m fortunate enough to have a platform to do that. That is why Eclipsed and even Queen of Katwe are so important, to change the narrative, offer a new lens on African identity.”
On top of admiration for the quote, social media also applauded the fact that Kenyan-raised Nyong’o graced the magazine. In 2012, Complex reported Vogue magazine had a 99 percent white cover rate.
@ashleyxkim stated Nyong’o’s cover was a “must buy for cultural purposes.”
Vogue's October cover washes September's cover. Plus, my girl Lupita is on the cover. Must buy for cultural purposes.
— A. (@ashleyxkim) September 15, 2016
Kelli Weston deemed it life-giving.
https://twitter.com/kelli_weston/status/776417372169043969
Meanwhile, Vusi Thembekwayo said the Black Panther actress “stays winning.”
https://twitter.com/VusiThembekwayo/status/776406180910534656
Elsewhere in the interview, Nyong’o addressed talent agent Tracy Christian’s claim the actress’ career will not be viable long-term because of her skin tone.
“I think she has two-and-half, three years,” Christian told The Hollywood Reporter in 2014. “If she can find a franchise, a big crossover film, or if she’s cast by a significant filmmaker, then she’s golden, she’ll have carved out a unique path for herself.”
But Nyong’o acknowledged Christian did not take other factors into consideration.
“I have to deafen my ears to that Christian lady,” Nyong’o told Vogue. “That person is not considering what I had for breakfast, how that is sitting in my stomach, and why I didn’t do well with that audition.”
“I cannot run away from who I am and my complexion or the larger society and how they may view that,” she added.
