Lupita Nyong'o

Lupita Amondi Nyong'o was born on 1 March 1983{{cite web| url= http://www.biography.com/people/lupita-nyongo-21465383| title= Lupita Nyong'o Biography: Theater Actress, Film Actress, Television Actress (1983–)| publisher= Biography.com (FYI / A&E Networks| access-date= 12 May 2016| archive-date= 13 May 2016| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160513124742/http://www.biography.com/people/lupita-nyongo-21465383| url-status= dead }} in Mexico City{{cite web |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2014/03/lupita-nyongo-ended-kenya-and-mexicos-mini-feud-over-her-nationality/358766/|work=The Atlantic|title=Lupita Nyong'o Ended Kenya and Mexico's Mini-Feud Over Her Nationality|date=3 March 2014|access-date=1 September 2020| url-access = subscription }}{{cite web |url=https://movies.yahoo.com/blogs/movie-talk/12-things-know-12-years-slave-breakout-lupita-185709419.html|title=12 Things to Know About '12 Years a Slave' Breakout Lupita Nyong'o|publisher=Yahoo Movies|date=1 November 2013|access-date=14 January 2017|archive-date=13 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140113081640/http://movies.yahoo.com/blogs/movie-talk/12-things-know-12-years-slave-breakout-lupita-185709419.html|url-status=live}}{{cite episode|series=The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson|network=CBS|date=12 November 2013|season=10|number=1822}} to Kenyan parents, Dorothy Ogada BuyuStated on Finding Your Roots, 14 November 2017 and Anyang' Nyong'o, a college professor. The family had left Kenya in 1980 for a period because of political repression and unrest; Lupita's uncle, Charles Nyong'o, disappeared after he was thrown off a ferry in 1980.{{cite web| url= https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/19/lupita-nyongos-father-peter-anyang-nyongo-family-abuse-kenya_n_4993686.html| title= Lupita Nyong'o's Father, Peter Anyang' Nyong'o, Reveals Family Torture In Kenya|website=HuffPost| quote= I was born in Mexico because my father was teaching at a school in Mexico City.| date= 24 March 2015| access-date= 6 October 2016| archive-date= 10 March 2016| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160310193727/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/19/lupita-nyongos-father-peter-anyang-nyongo-family-abuse-kenya_n_4993686.html| url-status= live}}

Nyong'o holds Kenyan, Mexican, and United States citizenship and identifies as "Kenyan-Mexican".{{cite web | url=http://fusion.net/story/5682/lupita-nyongo-teaches-mexican-kids-how-to-smile/ | title=Lupita Nyong'o Teaches Mexican Kids How to Smile | publisher=Fusion | date= 14 May 2014 | access-date= 26 May 2016 | last=Rivas|first= Jorge| work=Fusion | archive-date= 27 May 2016| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160527154636/http://fusion.net/story/5682/lupita-nyongo-teaches-mexican-kids-how-to-smile/ | url-status=live}}{{Cite web |url=https://people.com/chica/lupita-nyongo-on-beauty-standards-and-growing-up-in-mexico/ |title=Lupita Nyong'o on Living in Mexico: 'It Was Such a Bizarre, Dire Time for My Hair' |last=Thatiana |first=Diaz |date=19 February 2018 |website=People |access-date=28 October 2018 |archive-date=29 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029031042/https://people.com/chica/lupita-nyongo-on-beauty-standards-and-growing-up-in-mexico/ |url-status=live }} She is of Luo descent on both sides of her family, and is the second of six children.{{cite news|first=Sally |last=Williams |title=Lupita Nyong'o: Interview with a rising star |work=The Guardian |date=10 January 2014 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/starsandstories/10558449/Lupita-Nyongo-interview-with-a-rising-star.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140822120857/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/starsandstories/10558449/Lupita-Nyongo-interview-with-a-rising-star.html |archive-date=22 August 2014 }} It is a tradition of the Luo people to name a child after the events of the day, so her parents gave her a Spanish name, Lupita (a diminutive of Guadalupe).{{cite episode|title=Matt LeBlanc, Lupita Nyong'o, The Fray|series=Jimmy Kimmel Live|network=ABC|date=14 January 2014}} Her father, a former Member of the Kenyan Parliament and past Minister for Medical Services, serves as the Governor of Kisumu County, Kenya as of July 2024.{{Cite web |title=H.E. Prof. Peter Anyang' Nyong'o - Governor, Kisumu County |url=https://www.kisumu.go.ke/h-e-prof-peter-anyang-nyongo-governor-kisumu-county/ |access-date=2024-07-15 |website=County Government of Kisumu |language=en-US}} At the time of Nyong'o's birth, he was a visiting lecturer in political science at El Colegio de México in Mexico City.{{cite web |last=Morris |first=Alex |date=9 February 2014 |title=Lupita Nyong'o, From Unknown to 'It' Girl in Less Than a Year |url=https://nymag.com/thecut/2014/02/lupita-nyongo-new-fashion-it-girl.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140718092250/http://nymag.com/thecut/2014/02/lupita-nyongo-new-fashion-it-girl.html |archive-date=18 July 2014 |access-date=2 March 2014 |work=New York}}

The family returned to Kenya when Nyong'o was under a year old,{{cite news|title=Lupita Nyong'o On Her Magical Journey from Kenya to '12 Years A Slave' and Possible Oscar Glory |url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/02/22/lupita-nyong-o-s-magical-journey-from-kenya-to-12-years-a-slave-and-possible-oscar-glory.html |first= Marlow |last= Stern|access-date=10 July 2014 |work=The Daily Beast |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140225181812/http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/02/22/lupita-nyong-o-s-magical-journey-from-kenya-to-12-years-a-slave-and-possible-oscar-glory.html |archive-date=25 February 2014 |url-status=live }} after her father was appointed as a professor at the University of Nairobi. She grew up primarily in Nairobi, in an artistic family, and describes her upbringing as "middle class, suburban." Family get-togethers often included performances by the children, and trips to see plays. She attended Rusinga International School in Kenya and acted in school plays.{{cite news |title=A moment with Dorothy Nyong'o |url=http://africamagic.dstv.com/2013/11/05/interview-a-moment-with-dorothy-nyongo/ |access-date=10 July 2014 |website=africamagic.dstv.com |first=Laura |last=Walubengo |date=5 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512220214/http://africamagic.dstv.com/2013/11/05/interview-a-moment-with-dorothy-nyongo/ |archive-date=12 May 2014 |url-status=dead }}

At the age of 14, Nyong'o made her professional acting debut as Juliet in William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, in a production by the Nairobi-based repertory company Phoenix Players. While a member of the Phoenix Players, she also performed in the plays On The Razzle and There Goes The Bride. She credits the performances of Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey in The Color Purple with inspiring her to pursue a professional acting career.{{cite web|last=Diaz |first=Evelyn |title=Octavia Spencer, Oprah Winfrey and Lupita Nyong'o on Acting |url=https://www.bet.com/article/8hrogo/octavia-spencer-oprah-winfrey-and-lupita-nyong-o-on-acting |publisher=BET |date=26 November 2013 |access-date=2 March 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222130913/http://www.bet.com/news/celebrities/2013/11/26/octavia-spencer-oprah-winfrey-and-lupita-nyong-o-on-acting.html |archive-date=22 February 2014 }}{{cite web|last=Shapiro |first=Bee |date=10 February 2014 |url=http://www.glamour.com/beauty/blogs/girls-in-the-beauty-department/2014/02/lupita-nyongo-makeup.html |title=Actress Lupita Nyong'o Talks Hair and Makeup Tips and Working on 12 Years a Slave |work=Glamour |access-date=2 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223135325/http://www.glamour.com/beauty/blogs/girls-in-the-beauty-department/2014/02/lupita-nyongo-makeup.html |archive-date=23 February 2014 |url-status=live }}

When Nyong'o was 16, her parents sent her to Mexico for seven months to learn Spanish.{{cite news|first=Carolina |last=Moreno |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/04/lupita-nyongo-mexico-_n_4726468.html |title=Lupita Nyong'o Talks Being Born In Mexico And Why She Misses It (VIDEO) |work=HuffPost |date=4 February 2014 |access-date=2 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140314181716/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/04/lupita-nyongo-mexico-_n_4726468.html |archive-date=14 March 2014 |url-status=live }} During those seven months, she lived in Taxco, Guerrero, and took classes at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México's Learning Centre for Foreigners. Nyong'o later attended St. Mary's School in Nairobi, where she received an IB Diploma in 2001 and received the mean grade of 6 out of 7, coming second in her class.{{cite news |url=http://nairobinews.nation.co.ke/lupita-was-every-bit-the-cinderella-in-high-school/ |first=Njoki |last=Chege |date=17 March 2014 |title=Lupita was every bit the Cinderella in high school |newspaper=Nairobi News |location=Nairobi |access-date=21 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140421050527/http://nairobinews.nation.co.ke/lupita-was-every-bit-the-cinderella-in-high-school/ |archive-date=21 April 2014 |url-status=dead }} She went to the United States for college, graduating from Hampshire College with a degree in film and theatre studies.{{cite web|access-date=31 August 2013 |title=About the Director |url=http://www.inmygenes.co.ke/home/index.php?/design.html |website=InMyGenes.co.ke |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926084619/http://www.inmygenes.co.ke/home/index.php?%2Fdesign.html |url-status=live |archive-date=26 September 2013 }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.hampshire.edu/news/2014/03/03/congratulations-lupita-nyongo-03f-on-your-academy-award-for-best-supporting-actress |title=Congratulations, Lupita Nyong'o 03F on your Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress |publisher=Hampshire College |date=3 March 2014 |access-date=16 October 2017 |archive-date=17 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171017093818/https://www.hampshire.edu/news/2014/03/03/congratulations-lupita-nyongo-03f-on-your-academy-award-for-best-supporting-actress |url-status=live }}

In 2013, her father was elected to represent Kisumu County in the Kenyan Senate and by 2017, he became Governor.{{Cite web |url=https://face2faceafrica.com/article/peter-nyongo-election-2017 |title=Lupita Nyong'o's Father Elected Governor in Kenya |last=Babatunde |first=Mark |date=11 August 2017 |website=Face2FaceAfrica |access-date=22 December 2017 |archive-date=23 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171223043452/https://face2faceafrica.com/article/peter-nyongo-election-2017 |url-status=live }} Nyong'o's mother is the managing director of the Africa Cancer Foundation and her own communications company.{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2014/02/08/oscar-nominee-lupita-nyongo-discusses-her-amazing-journey/5080445/|title=For '12 Years a Slave' actress, Oscar nod is "ultimate bonus" of amazing journey|newspaper=USA Today|date=8 February 2014|access-date=2 March 2014|first1=Elysa|last1=Gardner|archive-date=1 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301073251/http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2014/02/08/oscar-nominee-lupita-nyongo-discusses-her-amazing-journey/5080445/|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://www.nation.co.ke/lifestyle/DN2/The-rise-and-rise-of-Lupita-Nyongo/-/957860/2167414/-/l0eidkz/-/index.html |title=The rise and rise of Lupita Nyong'o – DN2 |last=Kimani |first=Ciku |work=Daily Nation |date=31 January 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140304045755/http://www.nation.co.ke/lifestyle/DN2/The-rise-and-rise-of-Lupita-Nyongo/-/957860/2167414/-/l0eidkz/-/index.html |archive-date=4 March 2014 |access-date=2 March 2014 }} Other family members include Tavia Nyong'o, a scholar and professor at New York University; Omondi Nyong'o, a paediatric ophthalmologist in Palo Alto, California, US; Kwame Nyong'o, one of Kenya's leading animators and leading technology expert; and Isis Nyong'o, a media and technology leader who was named one of Africa's most powerful young women by Forbes magazine.{{cite web |url=http://www.akilidada.org/2013/03/16/african-women-who-inspire-isis-nyongo/ |first=Millicent |last=Lagat |title=African Women Who Inspire: Isis Nyong'o |website=AkiliDada |date=16 March 2013|access-date=23 October 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926025921/http://www.akilidada.org/2013/03/16/african-women-who-inspire-isis-nyongo/ |archive-date=26 September 2013 }}{{cite news|title=Africa's Most Successful Women: Isis Nyong'o |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/mfonobongnsehe/2012/06/12/africas-most-successful-women-isis-nyongo/ |work=Forbes |last=Nseheis |first=Mfonobong |access-date=23 October 2013 |date=12 June 2012 |archive-date=21 October 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021111215/http://www.forbes.com/sites/mfonobongnsehe/2012/06/12/africas-most-successful-women-isis-nyongo/ }}

Nyong'o began her career working as part of the production crew for several films, including Fernando Meirelles's The Constant Gardener (2005), Mira Nair's The Namesake (2006), and Salvatore Stabile's Where God Left His Shoes (2007).{{cite web|url=http://www.hampshire.edu/news/17275.htm |title=Hampshire College 2009–2010 News & Events, "Alumni Profile: International Filmmaker and Actress Lupita Nyong'o |last=Samuels |first=Michael |publisher=Hampshire College |access-date=17 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222215656/http://www.hampshire.edu/news/17275.htm |url-status=live |archive-date=22 February 2014 }} She cites Ralph Fiennes, the British star of The Constant Gardener, as someone who inspired her to pursue a professional acting career. In 2008, Nyong'o starred in the short film East River, directed by Marc Grey and shot in Brooklyn.{{cite web| first= Christopher| last= Campbell| url= https://www.filmschoolrejects.com/features/watch-12-years-a-slave-breakout-lupita-nyongo-in-her-film-debut-east-river.php| title= Watch '12 Years a Slave' Breakout Lupita Nyong'o In Her Film Debut 'East River'| work= Film School Rejects| date= 3 November 2013| access-date= 21 February 2020| archive-date= 3 March 2016| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160303202900/http://filmschoolrejects.com/features/watch-12-years-a-slave-breakout-lupita-nyongo-in-her-film-debut-east-river.php| url-status= live}} She returned to Kenya that same year and appeared in the Kenyan television series Shuga, an MTV Base Africa/UNICEF drama about HIV/AIDS prevention. In 2009, she wrote, directed, and produced the documentary In My Genes, about the discriminatory treatment of Kenya's albino population. It played at several film festivals and won first prize at the 2008 Five College Film Festival. Nyong'o 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.

Nyong'o enrolled in a master's degree program in acting at the Yale School of Drama. At Yale, she appeared in many stage productions, including Gertrude Stein's Doctor Faustus Lights the Lights, Chekhov's Uncle Vanya, and William Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew and The Winter's Tale. While at Yale, she won the Herschel Williams Prize in the 2011–12 academic year for "acting students with outstanding ability" .File:Lupita Nyongo (cropped).jpg]]

Immediately after graduating from Yale, Nyong'o landed her breakthrough role{{cite news|url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/lupita-nyongo-hollywoods-new-fixation |title=Lupita Nyong'o is Hollywood's new fixation |first=Jessica |last=Herndon |agency=Associated Press |date=18 February 2014 |access-date=18 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140225104939/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/lupita-nyongo-hollywoods-new-fixation |url-status=live |archive-date=25 February 2014 }} when she was cast in Steve McQueen's historical drama 12 Years a Slave (2013). The film, which met with widespread critical acclaim, is based on the life of Solomon Northup (played by Chiwetel Ejiofor), a free-born African-American man of upstate New York who is kidnapped and sold into slavery in Washington, DC, in 1841. Nyong'o portrayed Patsey, a slave who works alongside Northup at a Louisiana cotton plantation; her performance garnered rave reviews.{{cite web|url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/house/2013/16/on-the-rise-lupita-nyong39o-the-awards-bound-breakout-of-12-years-a-slave |title=On the Rise: Lupita Nyong'o, the Awards-Bound Breakout of 12 Years a Slave |first=R. Kurt |last=Osenlund |work=Slant Magazine |date=16 October 2013 |access-date=2 March 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219211317/http://www.slantmagazine.com/house/2013/16/on-the-rise-lupita-nyong39o-the-awards-bound-breakout-of-12-years-a-slave |archive-date=19 December 2013 }} Empire reviewer Ian Freer wrote that she "gives one of the most committed big-screen debuts imaginable," and Peter Travers of Rolling Stone called her "a spectacular young actress who imbues Patsey with grit and radiant grace".{{cite news|last=Freer |first=Ian |url=https://www.empireonline.com/reviews/reviewcomplete.asp?FID=137657 |title=12 Years a Slave |work=Empire |date=1 June 2012|access-date=7 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307124309/http://www.empireonline.com/reviews/reviewcomplete.asp?FID=137657 |url-status=live |archive-date=7 March 2014 }}{{cite news|last=Travers |first=Peter |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/12-years-a-slave-20131017 |title=12 Years a Slave |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=17 October 2013 |access-date=7 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140328140703/http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/12-years-a-slave-20131017 |url-status=live |archive-date=28 March 2014 }} She was nominated for several awards for 12 Years a Slave, including a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress, a BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards, including Best Supporting Actress, which she won.{{cite web |access-date=2 March 2014 |url=http://www.vibeweekly.com/tv/140-kenyan-actress-lupita-nyong-o-gets-rave-reviews-at-hollywood-movie-premiere |title=Kenyan Actress Lupita Nyong'o Gets Rave Reviews At Hollywood Movie Premiere |work=Vibe Weekly |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214122203/http://www.vibeweekly.com/tv/140-kenyan-actress-lupita-nyong-o-gets-rave-reviews-at-hollywood-movie-premiere |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 December 2013 }} She also won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, becoming the sixth black actress to win the award. The blue Prada dress she wore to the awards garnered substantial media attention and acclaim, being considered one of the classic red carpet gowns in Hollywood history.{{cite news |last1=Soway |first1=Bibbi |title=Oscars 2014: Lupita Nyong'o's stylist on her winning Oscars look |url=http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/news-features/TMG10674946/Oscars-2014-Lupita-Nyongos-stylist-on-her-winning-Oscars-look.html |website=The Telegraph |date=9 June 2015 |access-date=25 October 2021}}{{cite web |last1=McCal |first1=Tyler |title=Great Outfits in Fashion History: Lupita Nyong'o in Princess-Worthy Prada |url=https://fashionista.com/2020/08/lupita-nyong-o-prada-2014-oscars |website=Fashionista |date=14 August 2020 |access-date=25 October 2021}} She is the second African actress to win the award,{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/entertainment/2014/03/oscar-winner-lupita-nyongo-is-the-pride-of-africa|title=Oscar Winner Lupita Nyong'o Is 'the Pride of Africa'|first=Dana|last=Hughes|date=3 March 2014|work=ABC News|access-date=13 October 2021}} the first Kenyan actress to win an Oscar, and the first Mexican to win the award.{{cite news|work=The New York Times |title='12 Years a Slave' Claims Best Picture Oscar |first=Michael |last=Cieply |author2=Barnesmarch, Brooks |date=2 March 2014 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/03/movies/awardsseason/oscars-2014-winners-and-losers.html |archive-date=4 March 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140304182241/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/03/movies/awardsseason/oscars-2014-winners-and-losers.html }}{{cite news|work=Boston Herald |title='Pride of Africa: Kenya celebrates Nyong'o's Oscar |url=http://bostonherald.com/entertainment/movies/movie_news/2014/03/pride_of_africa_kenya_celebrates_nyongos_Oscar |access-date=5 September 2014 |date=3 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140309105339/http://bostonherald.com/entertainment/movies/movie_news/2014/03/pride_of_africa_kenya_celebrates_nyongos_Oscar |archive-date=9 March 2014 |url-status=live }} She is also the fifteenth actress to win an Oscar for a film debut performance.{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/2014/film/news/slave-actress-lupita-nyongo-wins-oscar-in-film-debut-1201124220/ |title='12 Years a Slave' Actress Lupita Nyong'o Wins Oscar in Film Debut |work=Variety |date=2 March 2014 |access-date=6 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140905040124/http://variety.com/2014/film/news/slave-actress-lupita-nyongo-wins-oscar-in-film-debut-1201124220/ |url-status=live |archive-date=5 September 2014 }}

Following a supporting role in the action-thriller Non-Stop (2014),{{Cite news |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2012/10/lupita-nyongo-joins-nate-parker-liam-neeson-in-airplane-terrorist-thriller-non-stop-141017/ |title=Lupita Nyong'o Joins Nate Parker, Liam Neeson In Airplane Terrorist Thriller 'Non-Stop' |last=Obenson |first=Tambay A. |date=19 October 2012 |publisher=IndieWire |access-date=22 February 2019 |archive-date=23 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190223074232/https://www.indiewire.com/2012/10/lupita-nyongo-joins-nate-parker-liam-neeson-in-airplane-terrorist-thriller-non-stop-141017/ |url-status=live }} Nyong'o co-starred in Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) as Force-sensitive space pirate Maz Kanata, a CGI character created using motion capture technology.{{cite magazine|first=Anthony |last=Breznican |url=http://insidemovies.ew.com/2014/06/02/star-wars-episode-vii-casts-lupita-nyongo-and-gwendoline-christie/ |title='Star Wars: Episode VII' casts Lupita Nyong'o and Gwendoline Christie |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=2 June 2014 |access-date=2 June 2014 |archive-date=7 June 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140607184637/http://insidemovies.ew.com/2014/06/02/star-wars-episode-vii-casts-lupita-nyongo-and-gwendoline-christie/ }}{{cite magazine | url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2015/05/star-wars-force-awakens-photos | title=Adam Driver's and Lupita Nyong'o's Characters Revealed in Exclusive Star Wars: The Force Awakens Photos—See all of Annie Leibovitz's photographs from the set of the year's most anticipated film. | magazine=Vanity Fair | date=4 May 2015 | access-date=9 May 2015 | last=Robinson | first=Joanna | archive-date=8 May 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150508220742/http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2015/05/star-wars-force-awakens-photos | url-status=live }} She had wanted to play a role where her appearance was not relevant, and the acting provided a different challenge from her role as Patsey.{{cite web | url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/kelleylcarter/lupita-nyongo-didnt-want-you-to-see-her-face-in-star-wars | title=Why Lupita Nyong'o Didn't Want To Be Seen In "Star Wars" | work=Buzzfeed | date=13 December 2015 | access-date=31 December 2015 | last=Carter | first=L. Kelley | archive-date=30 December 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151230071209/http://www.buzzfeed.com/kelleylcarter/lupita-nyongo-didnt-want-you-to-see-her-face-in-star-wars | url-status=live }} Scott Mendelson of Forbes described Nyong'o's role as "the center of the film's best sequence," and Stephanie Zacharek of Time magazine called her a "delightful minor character".{{cite web | url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2015/12/16/star-wars-the-force-awakens-review-the-empire-strikes-out/ | title='Star Wars: The Force Awakens' Review: The Empire Strikes Out | work=Forbes | date=16 December 2015 | access-date=29 February 2016 | last=Mendelson | first=Scott | archive-date=4 March 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304111327/http://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2015/12/16/star-wars-the-force-awakens-review-the-empire-strikes-out/#1c2b2aa57aa4 | url-status=live }}{{cite magazine | url= https://time.com/4150168/review-star-wars-the-force-awakens/ | title= Review: The Force Awakens Is Everything You Could Hope for in a Star Wars Movie—and Less | magazine= Time | date= 16 February 2016 | access-date= 29 February 2016 | last= Zacharek | first= Stephanie | archive-date= 27 February 2016 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160227141119/http://time.com/4150168/review-star-wars-the-force-awakens/ | url-status= live }} She was nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the 42nd Saturn Awards and Best Virtual Performance at the 2016 MTV Movie Awards for her role.{{cite web | url= https://variety.com/2016/film/news/saturn-awards-nominations-2016-star-wars-mad-max-1201713942/ | title= 'Star Wars,' 'Mad Max,' 'Walking Dead' Lead Saturn Awards Nominations | work= Variety | date= 24 February 2016 | access-date= 29 February 2016 | last= Jacob | first= Bryant | archive-date= 7 May 2016 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160507141412/http://variety.com/2016/film/news/saturn-awards-nominations-2016-star-wars-mad-max-1201713942/ | url-status= live }}{{cite web | url= http://www.mtv.com/news/2750915/mtv-movie-awards-nominations-2016/ | title= Here Are Your 2016 MTV Movie Awards Nominees—Fan Voting Begins Right Now | publisher= MTV | date= 8 March 2016 | access-date= 8 March 2016 | last= Bell | first= Crystal | archive-date= 7 June 2019 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190607173926/http://www.mtv.com/news/2750915/mtv-movie-awards-nominations-2016/ | url-status= dead }}

In 2015, Nyong'o returned to the stage with a starring role as an unnamed girl in the play Eclipsed, written by Danai Gurira.{{cite news|last1=Guglielmi|first1=Jodi|title=Lupita Nyong'o Urges for a 'Diversity of Stories to Be Told' as Ryan Murphy Launches Foundation to Support Minorities in Filmmaking|url=http://www.people.com/article/lupita-nyongo-ryan-murphy-diversity-oscars|access-date=4 February 2016|work=People|date=3 February 2016|archive-date=4 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204091313/http://www.people.com/article/lupita-nyongo-ryan-murphy-diversity-oscars|url-status=live}} The play takes place during the chaos of the Second Liberian Civil War, where the captive wives of a rebel officer band together to form a community, until the balance of their lives are upset by the arrival of a new girl (played by Nyong'o).Eclipsed became the Public Theater's fastest-selling new production in recent history{{cite web | url= http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/TV-Personality-La-La-Anthony-Boards-Producing-Team-of-ECLIPSED-on-Broadway-20160120 | title= TV Personality La La Anthony Boards Producing Team of ECLIPSED on Broadway | website= BroadwayWorld |first=Tyler |last=Peterson| date= 20 January 2016 | access-date= 6 March 2016 | archive-date= 4 March 2016 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160304162240/http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/TV-Personality-La-La-Anthony-Boards-Producing-Team-of-ECLIPSED-on-Broadway-20160120 | url-status= live }} and won Nyong'o an Obie Award for Outstanding Performance.Obie Awards, [http://www.obieawards.com/events/year-2016/ 2016 Winners] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171124165533/http://www.obieawards.com/events/year-2016/ |date=24 November 2017 }}. The play premiered on Broadway at the John Golden Theatre the following year.{{cite web | url=http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/10/20/lupita-nyongo-coming-to-broadway-in-eclipsed/? | title=Lupita Nyong'o Coming to Broadway in 'Eclipsed' | newspaper=The New York Times | access-date=20 October 2015 | last=Paulson | first=Michael | date=20 October 2015 | archive-date=20 October 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151020182342/http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/10/20/lupita-nyongo-coming-to-broadway-in-eclipsed/ | url-status=live }} It was the first play to premiere on Broadway with an all-black and female creative cast and crew.{{cite web | url=http://broadwayblack.com/original-eclipsed-cast-lupita-nyongo-set-broadway-will-make-history/ | title=Original Eclipsed Cast With Lupita Nyong'O Set For Broadway, Will Make History | publisher=Broadwayblack | date=2 December 2015 | access-date=21 December 2015 | last=Jordan | first=Kevin George | archive-date=22 December 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222173140/http://broadwayblack.com/original-eclipsed-cast-lupita-nyongo-set-broadway-will-make-history/ | url-status=dead }}{{cite web | url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/leeseymour/2016/02/11/lupita-nyongo-and-the-all-black-all-female-eclipsed-make-broadway-history/ | title=Lupita Nyong'o And The All-Black, All-Female 'Eclipsed' Make Broadway History | work=Forbes | date=11 February 2016 | access-date=11 February 2016 | last=Seymour | first=Lee | archive-date=15 February 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160215063418/http://www.forbes.com/sites/leeseymour/2016/02/11/lupita-nyongo-and-the-all-black-all-female-eclipsed-make-broadway-history/ | url-status=live }} Nyong'o had understudied the play at Yale in 2009 and was terrified to play the character onstage.{{cite web | url=https://variety.com/2016/legit/news/lupita-nyongo-eclipsed-broadway-1201722928/ | title=Lupita Nyong'o on Her 'Terrifying' Broadway Role in 'Eclipsed' | work=Variety | date=4 March 2016 | access-date=6 March 2016 | last=Cox | first=Gordon | archive-date=5 March 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305103611/https://variety.com/2016/legit/news/lupita-nyongo-eclipsed-broadway-1201722928/ | url-status=live }} She turned down film roles in favour of the production.{{cite web | url=http://www.lennyletter.com/work/a361/why-i-chose-a-small-play-over-the-big-screen/ | title=Lupita Nyong'o, Why I Chose a "Small Play" Over the Big Screen | publisher=LennyLetter | date=3 May 2016 | access-date=11 June 2016 | last=Nyong'o | first=Lupita | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160609063451/http://www.lennyletter.com/work/a361/why-i-chose-a-small-play-over-the-big-screen/ | archive-date=9 June 2016 | url-status=dead }} Her performance garnered critical acclaim; Charles Isherwood of The New York Times hailed Nyong'o as "one of the most radiant young actors to be seen on Broadway in recent seasons," and added that she "shines with a compassion that makes us see beyond the suffering to the indomitable humanity of its characters."{{cite web | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/07/theater/review-in-eclipsed-a-captive-lupita-nyongo-is-captivating.html | title=Review: In 'Eclipsed,' a Captive Lupita Nyong'o Is Captivating | newspaper=The New York Times | date=6 March 2016 | access-date=10 March 2016 | last=Isherwood | first=Charles | archive-date=10 March 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310015640/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/07/theater/review-in-eclipsed-a-captive-lupita-nyongo-is-captivating.html | url-status=live }} Her performance in Eclipsed earned her a Theatre World Award for Outstanding Broadway or Off-Broadway Debut Performance and a nomination for the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play.{{cite web|url=http://www.tonyawards.com/en_US/nominees/artists/8315D770-EC01-83D3-DEEA22BB4855B00E.html/|title=Tony Award Nominations|access-date=3 May 2016|date=3 May 2016|publisher=Tony Award Productions|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506083343/http://www.tonyawards.com/en_US/nominees/artists/8315D770-EC01-83D3-DEEA22BB4855B00E.html|archive-date=6 May 2016}} In addition, she was nominated for Outstanding Actress in a Play at the Outer Critics Circle Award and a Distinguished Performance Award at the Drama League Award.{{cite web| url=http://www.playbill.com/article/2016-tony-nominations-are-being-revealed| title=See Full List of 2016 Tony Award Nominations--| work=Playbill| access-date=3 May 2016| archive-date=4 May 2016| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160504125126/http://www.playbill.com/article/2016-tony-nominations-are-being-revealed| url-status=live}}{{cite web| url= http://www.playbill.com/article/theatre-world-award-winners-announced| title= Theatre World Awards Announce 2016 Winners| first= Andrew| last= Gans| date= 2 May 2016| work= Playbill| access-date= 2 May 2016| archive-date= 15 May 2016| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160515074859/http://www.playbill.com/article/theatre-world-award-winners-announced| url-status= live}}{{cite web | url=http://www.theatermania.com/broadway/news/2016-outer-critics-circle-nominations_76769.html | title=American Psycho and She Loves Me Lead 2016 Outer Critics Circle Award Nominations | publisher=Theater Mania | date=19 April 2016 | access-date=19 April 2016 | archive-date=23 April 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423010749/http://www.theatermania.com/broadway/news/2016-outer-critics-circle-nominations_76769.html | url-status=live }}{{cite web | url=http://dramaleague.org/events/awards/nominees | title=The 82nd Annual Drama League Awards | website=DramaLeague.org | access-date=20 April 2016 | archive-date=23 April 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423010544/http://dramaleague.org/events/awards/nominees | url-status=live }}

File:Lupita Nyong'o by Gage Skidmore.jpg]]

Nyong'o co-starred in Jon Favreau's The Jungle Book (2016), a live-action/CGI adaptation of its 1967 animated original, voicing Raksha, a mother wolf who adopts Mowgli (played by Neel Sethi).{{cite web | url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/scarlett-johansson-lupita-nyongo-talks-698578 | title=Scarlett Johansson, Lupita Nyong'o in Talks for Disney's 'Jungle Book' (Exclusive)--Jon Favreau is directing the live-action/CG hybrid adaptation of the Rudyard Kipling tale. | publisher=THR | date=23 April 2014 | access-date=12 September 2015 | last=Kit | first=Borys | archive-date=9 September 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150909210031/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/scarlett-johansson-lupita-nyongo-talks-698578 | url-status=live }} Robbie Collin of The Telegraph wrote in his review that Nyong'o brought a "gentle dignity" to her role.{{cite news | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/film/the-jungle-book/review/ | title=Forget about your worries, this new Jungle Book makes perfect sense – review | first=Robbie | last=Collin | work=The Telegraph | date=15 April 2016 | access-date=8 May 2016 | archive-date=3 April 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403203849/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/film/the-jungle-book/review/ | url-status=live }} She later co-starred in Mira Nair's Queen of Katwe (2016), a biopic based on the true story about the rise of a young Ugandan chess prodigy,{{cite web | url=https://deadline.com/2015/01/david-oyelowo-lupita-nyongo-queen-of-katwe-chess-movie-1201345794/ | title=David Oyelowo & Lupita Nyong'o In Talks To Star In 'Queen Of Katwe' For Disney | work=Deadline | date=9 January 2015 | access-date=9 January 2015 | last=Fleming | first=Mike Jr. | archive-date=12 January 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150112091828/http://deadline.com/2015/01/david-oyelowo-lupita-nyongo-queen-of-katwe-chess-movie-1201345794/ | url-status=live }} Phiona Mutesi (played by Madina Nalwanga), who becomes a Woman Candidate Master after her performances at World Chess Olympiads. Nyong'o played Phiona's protective mother, Nakku Harriet.{{cite web | url=http://www.okayafrica.com/news/lupita-nyongo-david-oyelowo-disney-queen-of-katwe-ugandan-chess-film/ | title=Lupita Nyong'o Is Filming Disney's 'Queen Of Katwe' Chess Biopic In Uganda With David Oyelowo | work=OkAfrica | date=31 March 2015 | access-date= 12 September 2015 | last=Sefa-Boakye | first=Jennifer | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924055918/http://www.okayafrica.com/news/lupita-nyongo-david-oyelowo-disney-queen-of-katwe-ugandan-chess-film/ | archive-date=24 September 2015 | url-status=dead }} Brian Tallerico of RogerEbert.com said, "Nyong'o is phenomenal. She has an incredible ability to convey backstory."{{Cite web |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/queen-of-katwe-2016 |title=Queen of Katwe |last=Tallerico |first=Brian |date=23 September 2016 |website=RogerEbert.com |access-date=26 November 2017 |archive-date=1 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201043420/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/queen-of-katwe-2016 |url-status=live }} Geoff Berkshire of Variety wrote, "Simply radiant in her first live action role since winning an Oscar for 12 Years a Slave [...] [Nyong'o] imbues what could have been a stock mother figure with such inner fire that Harriet feels worthy of a movie all her own."{{cite news | url=https://variety.com/2016/film/reviews/queen-of-katwe-review-lupita-nyongo-david-oyelowo-1201854407/ | title=Toronto Film Review: 'Queen of Katwe' | work=Variety | date=10 September 2016 | access-date=18 September 2016 | author=Berkshire, Geoff | archive-date=19 September 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919073319/http://variety.com/2016/film/reviews/queen-of-katwe-review-lupita-nyongo-david-oyelowo-1201854407/ | url-status=live }}

Nyong'o reprised her role as Maz Kanata in Rian Johnson's Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017), as well as in the animated series Star Wars Forces of Destiny.{{Cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/movies/2017/04/13/star-wars-female-heroes-forces-of-destiny-stories/|title=Star Wars highlights female heroes in Forces of Destiny — first look|last=Breznican|first=Anthony|date=13 April 2017|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170417045004/http://ew.com/movies/2017/04/13/star-wars-female-heroes-forces-of-destiny-stories/|archive-date=17 April 2017|url-status=live|access-date=19 April 2017}} The following year, she starred as spy Nakia, a former member of Dora Milaje, a team of women who serve as special forces of Wakanda and personal bodyguards to T'Challa / Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman), in Ryan Coogler's superhero film Black Panther (2018), which marked the eighteenth film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.{{cite web|url=http://marvel.com/news/movies/26504/sdcc_2016_marvels_black_panther_confirms_additional_cast |title=SDCC 2016: Marvel's 'Black Panther' Confirms Additional Cast |last=Strom |first=Marc |work=Marvel.com |date=23 July 2016 |access-date=23 July 2016 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20160724070422/https://marvel.com/news/movies/26504/sdcc_2016_marvels_black_panther_confirms_additional_cast |archive-date=24 July 2016 |url-status=live }} In preparation for the role, Nyong'o learned to speak Xhosa and undertook judo, jujitsu, silat, and Filipino martial arts training.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/16/us/wakanda-black-panther.html|title=Wakanda Is a Fake Country, but the African Language in 'Black Panther' Is Real|last=Eligon|first=John|date=16 February 2018|work=The New York Times|access-date=17 February 2018|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=15 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191215005107/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/16/us/wakanda-black-panther.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://collider.com/black-panther-things-to-know/|title='Black Panther': 90 Things to Know about the MCU's Game-Changing Movie|last=Trumbore|first=David|website=Collider|date=24 January 2018|access-date=24 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180124230455/http://collider.com/black-panther-things-to-know/|archive-date=24 January 2018|url-status=live}} David Betancourt of The Washington Post wrote that the film "takes superhero cinema where it's never gone before by not being afraid to embrace its blackness" and particularly praised Nyong'o for avoiding stereotypical depictions of a black leading lady, stating that she "throws punches, shoots guns and steals hearts in a role she seems born for."{{cite news | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2018/02/12/black-panther-fully-embraces-its-blackness-telling-an-unforgettable-superhero-tale-in-the-process/ | title='Black Panther' fully embraces its blackness — and that's what makes it unforgettable | newspaper=The Washington Post | date=12 February 2018 | access-date=16 February 2018 | author=Betancourt, David | archive-date=15 February 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215023319/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2018/02/12/black-panther-fully-embraces-its-blackness-telling-an-unforgettable-superhero-tale-in-the-process/ | url-status=live }} Black Panther grossed over $1.34 billion worldwide to emerge as the eleventh highest-grossing film of all time.{{cite web|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=marvel2017b.htm|title=Black Panther (2018)|publisher=Box Office Mojo|access-date=13 April 2018|archive-date=13 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413052511/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=marvel2017b.htm|url-status=live}} Nyong'o received a Saturn Award for Best Actress nomination for the role.{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/2018/film/news/saturn-awards-nominations-2018-black-panther-walking-dead-1202727752/|title='Black Panther,' 'Walking Dead' Rule Saturn Awards Nominations|last=McNary|first=Dave|work=Variety|date=15 March 2018|access-date=15 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180316023438/http://variety.com/2018/film/news/saturn-awards-nominations-2018-black-panther-walking-dead-1202727752/|archive-date=16 March 2018|url-status=live}}

Following the success of Black Panther, Nyong'o starred as a kindergarten teacher dealing with a zombie apocalypse in the comedy horror film Little Monsters (2019). Amy Nicholson of Variety wrote that Nyong'o's "deadpan humor and grace ennoble the slapstick".{{cite news | url=https://variety.com/2019/film/reviews/little-monsters-review-1203120650/ | title=Sundance Film Review: 'Little Monsters' | work=Variety | date=28 January 2019 | access-date=9 March 2019 | author=Nicholson, Amy | archive-date=28 March 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328131032/https://variety.com/2019/film/reviews/little-monsters-review-1203120650/ | url-status=live }} The 2019 South by Southwest marked the premiere of her next release, Jordan Peele's psychological horror film Us. It tells the story of a family who are confronted by their doppelgängers.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/01/jordan-peele-us-release-date-change-sxsw-opening-night-1202531709/|title=Jordan Peele's 'Us' To Hit Theaters A Week Later After Landing SXSW Opening Night Slot|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|date=8 January 2019|access-date=8 January 2019|archive-date=9 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190109035616/https://deadline.com/2019/01/jordan-peele-us-release-date-change-sxsw-opening-night-1202531709/|url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-features/director-jordan-peele-new-movie-cover-story-782743/ |title=The All-American Nightmares of Jordan Peele |last=Hiatt |first=Brian |date=29 January 2019 |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=1 February 2019 |archive-date=31 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190131042023/https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-features/director-jordan-peele-new-movie-cover-story-782743/ |url-status=live }} Emily Yoshida of Vulture labelled Nyong'o's dual role "astounding" and found her performance as the doppelgänger "an achievement on another level; a physical, vocal, and emotional performance so surgical in its uncanniness that it almost feels like it could not be the work of a flesh-and-blood human."{{cite news | url=https://www.vulture.com/2019/03/jordan-peele-us-movie-review.html | title=Jordan Peele's Us Is a Messy, Chilling Descent Into the American Nightmare | work=Vulture | date=9 March 2019 | access-date=11 March 2019 | author=Yoshida, Emily | archive-date=10 March 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190310091721/https://www.vulture.com/2019/03/jordan-peele-us-movie-review.html | url-status=live }} Us grossed over $255 million worldwide against its $20 million budget.{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=untitledjordanpeele.htm|title=Us (2019)|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=8 May 2019|archive-date=18 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190518154653/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=untitledjordanpeele.htm|url-status=live}} At Universal Studios Hollywood's Halloween Horror Nights, Nyong'o attended a maze inspired by the film and appeared inside the attraction dressed as her character Red.{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2019/10/31/entertainment/lupita-nyongo-halloween-trnd/index.html|title=Lupita Nyong'o revived Red from 'Us' for Halloween Horror Nights|first=Lisa Respers|last=France|date=31 October 2019 |publisher=CNN|access-date=22 November 2019|archive-date=8 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191108042615/https://edition.cnn.com/2019/10/31/entertainment/lupita-nyongo-halloween-trnd/index.html|url-status=live}} Nyong'o earned a Screen Actors Guild nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role and won an NAACP Image Award for Best Actress.{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2020/film/awards/naacp-winners-list-2020-beyonce-rihanna-1203511871/|title=NAACP Winners 2020: The Complete List|date=22 February 2020|website=Variety|access-date=22 February 2020|archive-date=23 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200223015451/https://variety.com/2020/film/awards/naacp-winners-list-2020-beyonce-rihanna-1203511871/|url-status=live}}

Also in 2019, Nyong'o narrated the Discovery Channel documentary series Serengeti, about wildlife in the Serengeti ecosystem.{{cite web |first=Otosirieze|last=Obi-Young |title=In Narrating Serengeti, Lupita Wanted to Diversify Wildlife Docuseries |url=https://folio.ng/in-narrating-serengeti-lupita-wanted-to-diversify-wildlife-docuseries/ |website=Folio Nigeria |access-date=17 August 2020 |archive-date=31 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200831015114/https://folio.ng/in-narrating-serengeti-lupita-wanted-to-diversify-wildlife-docuseries/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/lupita-nyongo-narrate-discovery-channels-serengeti-1199181 |title=Lupita Nyong'o to Narrate Discovery Channel Wildlife Series 'Serengeti' (Exclusive) |last=Nordyke |first=Kimberly |date=4 April 2019 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=4 April 2019 |archive-date=4 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404153500/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/lupita-nyongo-narrate-discovery-channels-serengeti-1199181 |url-status=live }} Nyong'o spoke on the lack of African women narrating nature documentaries and how the Serengeti team encouraged her to use her native Kenyan accent on the series. She earned her first Emmy Award nomination for her narration as an Outstanding Narrator at the 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards, making her the third black woman to be nominated in the category.{{cite web|url=https://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/2020/outstanding-narrator|title=72nd Emmy Awards Nominees and Winners|publisher=Primetime Emmy Awards|date=28 July 2020|access-date=28 July 2020|archive-date=28 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728160817/https://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/2020/outstanding-narrator|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/lupita-nyongo-serengeti-discovery-sulwe-book-black-lives-matter-1234641809/ |title=Lupita Nyong'o on Using Her Authentic Voice to Narrate 'Serengeti' and How She Contributes to the Black Lives Matter Movement |website=Variety |last=Jackson |first=Angelique |date=18 June 2020|access-date=18 June 2020 |archive-date=20 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200620101543/https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/lupita-nyongo-serengeti-discovery-sulwe-book-black-lives-matter-1234641809/ |url-status=live }} She was also nominated for an NAACP Image Award for Character Voice-Over Performance. She hosted the Channel 4 documentary Warrior Women with Lupita Nyong'o, in which she undertook a journey across Benin, West Africa, to search for the Dahomey Amazons.{{Cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2019/09/black-panther-star-lupita-nyongo-to-search-for-forgotten-female-army-in-channel-4-1202746339/ |title='Black Panther' Star Lupita Nyong'o To Search For Forgotten Female Army In Channel 4 Doc |last=White |first=Peter |date=27 September 2019 |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=27 September 2019 |archive-date=27 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190927100857/https://deadline.com/2019/09/black-panther-star-lupita-nyongo-to-search-for-forgotten-female-army-in-channel-4-1202746339/ |url-status=live }} She left the production of The Woman King in which she had previously been cast around the time of filming this documentary.{{cite magazine| url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/sisterhood-and-slavery-in-the-woman-king|title=Sisterhood and Slavery in "The Woman King"|magazine=The New Yorker|date=September 16, 2022|last=Lucas|first= Julian|access-date=September 20, 2022}} Nyong'o reprised her role as Maz Kanata for the third time in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, which marked the final installment of the Star Wars sequel trilogy.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2018/film/news/star-wars-episode-ix-cast-carrie-fisher-billy-dee-williams-1202888693/|title='Star Wars: Episode IX' Announces Cast; Carrie Fisher to Be Featured|last=Kroll|first=Justin|work=Variety|date=27 July 2018|access-date=27 July 2018|archive-date=27 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180727235914/https://variety.com/2018/film/news/star-wars-episode-ix-cast-carrie-fisher-billy-dee-williams-1202888693/|url-status=live}} She appeared on the Global Citizen organised television event, Together at Home and joined the radio play presentation of Richard II from The Public Theater and WNYC as The Narrator.{{Cite web|url=https://www.playbill.com/article/tony-nominee-and-oscar-winner-lupita-nyongo-joins-andre-holland-phylicia-rashad-more-in-richard-ii-radio-play|title=Tony Nominee and Oscar Winner Lupita Nyong'o Joins André Holland, Phylicia Rashad, More in Richard II Radio Play|last=Meyer|first=Dan|date=9 July 2020|website=Playbill|access-date=9 July 2020|archive-date=10 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200710002859/https://www.playbill.com/article/tony-nominee-and-oscar-winner-lupita-nyongo-joins-andre-holland-phylicia-rashad-more-in-richard-ii-radio-play|url-status=live}}{{Cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/music/taylor-swift-jennifer-lopez-lupita-nyongo-join-one-world-together-at-home/ |title=Taylor Swift, Jennifer Lopez, Lupita Nyong'o, more join One World: Together at Home special |last=Cordero |first=Rosy |date=14 April 2020 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=20 June 2020 |archive-date=22 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200622023104/https://ew.com/music/taylor-swift-jennifer-lopez-lupita-nyongo-join-one-world-together-at-home/ |url-status=live }} Nyong'o was featured in Beyoncé's musical film Black Is King, which premiered on Disney+ in July 2020.{{cite web|url=https://www.etonline.com/beyonce-reveals-new-trailer-for-black-is-king-starring-naomi-campbell-lupita-nyongo-jay-z-and-more|title=Beyonce Reveals New Trailer for 'Black Is King,' Starring Naomi Campbell, Lupita Nyong'o, JAY-Z and More|date=19 July 2020|website=ET Online|access-date=19 July 2020|archive-date=19 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200719162917/https://www.etonline.com/beyonce-reveals-new-trailer-for-black-is-king-starring-naomi-campbell-lupita-nyongo-jay-z-and-more|url-status=live}}

Nyong'o partnered with Nairobi-based media and tech startup Kukua in support of YouTube Originals' STEM-themed, Super Sema (2021), which became Africa's first kid superhero animated series. Super Sema follows the adventures of an extraordinary young African girl, Sema, who lives in the neo-African-futuristic community of Dunia. Nyong'o serves as an executive producer and voice actress in the series.{{Cite web |last=Ramos |first=Dino-Ray |date=29 June 2021 |title=Lupita Nyong'o Teams With Startup Kukua For 'Super Sema' At YouTube, Africa's First Kid Superhero Animated Series |url=https://deadline.com/2021/03/lupita-nyongo-kukua-super-sema-youtube-1234705387/ |access-date=29 June 2021 |website=Deadline Hollywood}} Afterwards, she starred alongside Juan Castano in Saheem Ali's bilingual radio play adaptation of Romeo & Juliet, titled Romeo y Julieta (2021).{{cite web|url=https://www.playbill.com/article/the-public-theater-adds-romeo-y-julieta-radio-play-starring-lupita-nyongo-more-to-digital-season|title=The Public Theater Adds Romeo y Julieta Radio Play Starring Lupita Nyong'o, More to Digital Season|last=Meyer|first=Dan|date=23 November 2020|website=Playbill|access-date=29 June 2021}} She also provided narration for Apple TV+'s documentary, Who Are You, Charlie Brown? (2021), based on the origins of Peanuts and its creator Charles M. Schulz.{{Cite web |last=Del Rosario |first=Alexandra |date=4 June 2021 |title='Who Are You, Charlie Brown?': Apple To Celebrate Peanuts Characters, Creator Charles M. Shulz With Documentary Special |url=https://deadline.com/2021/06/who-are-you-charlie-brown-peanuts-charles-schulz-apple-celebrate-documentary-special-1234769114/ |access-date=30 June 2021 |website=Deadline Hollywood}} Nyong'o won the Outstanding Limited Performance in a Children's Program category at the 48th Daytime Creative Arts Emmy Awards for her involvement in Netflix's television series, Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices (2020).{{Cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/daytime-emmy-nominations-hollywood-reporter-roundtable-1234974742/|title=Hollywood Reporter Lands Daytime Emmy Nomination for Roundtable Series|date=28 June 2021 |website=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=29 June 2021}}{{Cite web |last=Grobar |first=Matt |date=17 July 2021 |title=Lupita Nyong'o, Mark Hamill Among Winners In Daytime Emmys' Children's & Animation Categories – Complete Winners List |url=https://deadline.com/2021/07/daytime-emmys-lupita-nyongo-mark-hamill-among-winners-children-animation-categories-1234795191/ |access-date=17 July 2021 |website=Deadline Hollywood}} In 2021, Nyong'o reprised her narration role in Serengeti (2019),{{cite web|url=https://people.com/pets/discovery-channel-serengeti-ii-first-look/|title=Wild Animals Reign in Discovery's Upcoming Serengeti II: Get a Dramatic First Look|last=Hogan|first=Kate|date=18 June 2021|website=People|access-date=29 June 2021}} where she earned her second Primetime Emmy Award nomination.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2022/07/president-obama-emmy-nominated-outstanding-narrator-our-great-national-parks-news-1235062439/|title=Barack Obama Lands First Emmy Nomination, For Narrating 'Our Great National Parks'; Will Face Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Lupita Nyong'o|last=Carey|first=Matthew|date=12 July 2022|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=12 July 2022}}

The following year, Nyong'o starred in Simon Kinberg's ensemble spy-thriller The 355 (2022) alongside Jessica Chastain, Penélope Cruz, Fan Bingbing, and Diane Kruger.{{Cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2018/05/female-spy-film-355-jessica-chastain-marion-cotillard-penelope-cruz-fan-bingbing-lupita-nyongo-simon-kinberg-cannes-market-1202380078/ |title=Hot Cannes Package '355': Jessica Chastain, Marion Cotillard, Penelope Cruz, Fan Bingbing, Lupita Nyong'o Form Spy Sisterhood |last=Fleming |first=Mike Jr. |date=1 May 2018 |website=Deadline |access-date=1 May 2018 |archive-date=2 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180502140223/http://deadline.com/2018/05/female-spy-film-355-jessica-chastain-marion-cotillard-penelope-cruz-fan-bingbing-lupita-nyongo-simon-kinberg-cannes-market-1202380078/ |url-status=live }} She also guest-starred in Netflix's adult-animated sitcom, Human Resources (2022) as Asha, a Shame Wizard who became Lionel's interest.{{Cite web |last=Fienberg |first=Daniel |date=12 July 2022 |title=Netflix's 'Human Resources': TV Review |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/human-resources-review-1235113037/ |access-date=12 July 2022 |website=Hollywood Reporter}} Later, Nyong'o reprised the role of Nakia in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, the sequel to the original Black Panther film, released in November 2022.{{Cite web|last=Lattanzio|first=Ryan|date=1 May 2021|title=Lupita Nyong'o Teases Reshaping 'Black Panther II': 'It's So Respectful of the Loss We've Experienced'|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2021/05/lupita-nyongo-black-panther-2-chadwick-boseman-1234634629/|access-date=10 May 2021|website=IndieWire|language=en}}

In 2024, Nyong'o played the lead role in the horror prequel film A Quiet Place: Day One.{{Cite web|last=Kroll|first=Justin|date=1 November 2022|title='A Quiet Place: Day One' At Paramount Taps Lupita Nyong'o To Star|url=https://deadline.com/2022/11/a-quiet-place-day-one-paramount-lupita-nyongo-1235159475/|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=9 November 2022}} She also took on a voice role in the animated film The Wild Robot, in which she voiced the lead role of an abandoned robot named Roz.{{Cite web |last=Reul |first=Katie |date=March 5, 2024 |title=The Wild Robot, Animated Film Starring Lupita Nyong'o and Pedro Pascal, Gets Gorgeous First Trailer |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/the-wild-robot-animated-film-starring-lupita-nyongo-and-pedro-pascal-gets-gorgeous-first-trailer |access-date=March 6, 2024 |website=IGN}} Also in 2024, Nyong'o began hosting the podcast Mind Your Own, in which she tells stories from the African diaspora and talks about experiences relating to her own life and Kenyan heritage.{{Cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2024/sep/19/hear-here-lupita-nyongo-mind-your-own-podcast |title= Best podcasts of the week: Lupita Nyong'o and friends tell tales of the African diaspora |date=19 September 2024 |website=The Guardian |access-date=1 October 2024 }}

In 2024, she was cast in Christopher Nolan{{'s}} upcoming epic film The Odyssey, set for release in 2026.{{Cite web |last=Grobar |first=Matt |date=December 23, 2024 |title=Christopher Nolan's Next Film Is An Adaptation Of Homer's 'The Odyssey,' Universal Reveals |url=https://deadline.com/2024/12/christopher-nolan-the-odyssey-confirmed-directors-new-film-universal-1236241340/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241223222535/https://deadline.com/2024/12/christopher-nolan-the-odyssey-confirmed-directors-new-film-universal-1236241340/ |archive-date=December 23, 2024 |access-date=December 24, 2024 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}

Nyong'o was mentioned in Christian rapper Lecrae's song "Nuthin'" from his 2014 album Anomaly and was referenced by Jay-Z in his verse from Jay Electronica's song "We Made It". She was also mentioned in the parody song "American Apparel Ad Girls" by the drag queens Willam Belli, Courtney Act and Alaska Thunderfuck.{{cite web |date=30 September 2014 |title=American Apparel Ad Girls with Courtney Act, Alaska 5000 and Willam #AAAgirls |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mhNedNUAa4 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141124103608/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mhNedNUAa4 |archive-date=24 November 2014 |access-date=30 November 2014 |via=YouTube}} Nyong'o was mentioned in the 2015 song "Nerea" by Kenyan afro-pop band Sauti Sol.{{cite news |last1=Mugo |first1=Kari |date=16 May 2015 |title=Kenya's Sauti Sol to kickoff U.S tour in Minnesota |url=http://mshale.com/2015/05/16/kenyas-sauti-sol-kickoff-u-s-tour-minnesota/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150521014614/http://mshale.com/2015/05/16/kenyas-sauti-sol-kickoff-u-s-tour-minnesota/ |archive-date=21 May 2015 |access-date=16 June 2015 |work=Mshale}} Rapper Nicki Minaj mentioned Lupita in her verse on A$AP Ferg's remix of "Plain Jane" and was referenced by rapper Wale in his song "Black Is Gold".{{Cite web |last=Setaro |first=Shawn |date=15 December 2017 |title=Nicki Minaj Shouts Out Biggie on ASAP Ferg's "Plain Jane" Remix |url=http://www.complex.com/music/2017/12/asap-ferg-nicki-minaj-plain-jane-remix |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171216034854/http://www.complex.com/music/2017/12/asap-ferg-nicki-minaj-plain-jane-remix |archive-date=16 December 2017 |access-date=15 December 2017 |website=Complex}}{{Cite web |last=Schwadron |first=Eli |date=12 December 2016 |title=Wale Raps Over a Classic D'angelo Song for "Black Is Gold" Video |url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2016/12/wale-black-is-gold/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909053533/http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2016/12/wale-black-is-gold/ |archive-date=9 September 2017 |access-date=15 December 2017 |website=XXL}} Singer Beyoncé mentioned Nyong'o in the single "Brown Skin Girl" from The Lion King: The Gift (2019).{{Cite magazine |last=Lang |first=Cady |date=22 July 2019 |title=Blue Ivy Paved the Way for the Joyful Challenge Taking the Internet By Storm |url=https://time.com/5631616/blue-ivy-brown-skin-girl-challenge/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200831015128/https://time.com/5631616/blue-ivy-brown-skin-girl-challenge/ |archive-date=31 August 2020 |access-date=31 July 2019 |magazine=Time}}

File:Ms. magazine Cover - Spring 2016.jpg]]

Nyong'o was included in Derek Blasberg's 2013 best-dressed list in Harper's Bazaar. In 2014, she was chosen as one of the faces for Miu Miu's spring campaign, with Elizabeth Olsen, Elle Fanning and Bella Heathcote. She has also appeared on the covers of several magazines, including New York's spring fashion issue{{cite news |last=Feldman |first=Jamie |date=10 February 2014 |title=Lupita Nyong'o Covers New York Magazine's Spring Fashion Issue, Looks Stunning As Usual |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/10/lupita-nyongo-new-york-magazine-cover_n_4758903.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222204527/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/10/lupita-nyongo-new-york-magazine-cover_n_4758903.html |archive-date=22 February 2014 |access-date=2 March 2014 |work=HuffPost}} and the UK magazine Dazed & Confused.{{cite news |last=Wilson |first=Julee |date=14 January 2014 |title=Lupita Nyong'o Covers Dazed & Confused, Proving Yet Again She Is Fashion's New 'It' Girl (PHOTOS) |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/14/lupita-nyongo-dazed-and-confused-cover_n_4595263.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140117222251/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/14/lupita-nyongo-dazed-and-confused-cover_n_4595263.html |archive-date=17 January 2014 |access-date=2 March 2014 |work=HuffPost}} In April of that year, she was named "The Most Beautiful Woman" by People.{{cite web |date=23 April 2014 |title=Lupita Nyong'o Is PEOPLE's Most Beautiful |url=http://www.people.com/people/package/article/0,,20360857_20809287,00.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140815001157/http://www.people.com/people/package/article/0%2C%2C20360857_20809287%2C00.html |archive-date=15 August 2014 |access-date=23 April 2014 |work=People}} and was named the new face of Lancôme, making her the first black woman to appear on the brand.{{cite news |last=Freydkin |first=Donna |date=4 April 2014 |title=Lupita Nyong'o is new face of Lancôme |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2014/04/04/lupita-nyongo-lancome/7276943/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140404122903/http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2014/04/04/lupita-nyongo-lancome/7276943/ |archive-date=4 April 2014 |access-date=4 April 2014 |newspaper=USA Today}} Later that November, she was named "Woman of the Year" by Glamour.{{cite web |last=Bennetts |first=Leslie |date=3 November 2014 |title=The Breakthrough: Lupita Nyong'o |url=http://www.glamour.com/inspired/women-of-the-year/2014/lupita-nyongo |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141105222808/http://www.glamour.com/inspired/women-of-the-year/2014/lupita-nyongo |archive-date=5 November 2014 |access-date=5 November 2014 |magazine=Glamour}}

Nyong'o was on the July 2014 cover of Vogue, making her the second African woman{{cite news |title=Lupita Nyong'o Makes Her US Vogue Debut & It's Seriously Beautiful |url=http://www.graziadaily.co.uk/fashion/news/lupita-nyongo-makes-her-vogue-debut-and-its-even-more-beautiful-than-we-possibly-imagined |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140621225241/http://www.graziadaily.co.uk/fashion/news/lupita-nyongo-makes-her-vogue-debut-and-its-even-more-beautiful-than-we-possibly-imagined |archive-date=21 June 2014 |access-date=21 June 2014}} and ninth black woman{{cite news |last1=Marshall |first1=Lee |date=20 June 2014 |title=Lupita Nyong'o is Vogue's newest cover girl |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/try-it-now/?articleId=19258056 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140621053504/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/try-it-now/?articleId=19258056 |archive-date=21 June 2014 |access-date=21 June 2014 |newspaper=The Globe & Mail}} to cover the magazine. That same month she also appeared on the cover of July's issue of Elle (France). She appeared on the October 2015 issue of Vogue, making it her second cover in a row.{{cite web |last=Sykes |first=Plum |date=17 September 2015 |title=Lupita Nyong'o's Second Vogue Cover! The Star Wars Actress On Hollywood and High Fashion |url=http://www.vogue.com/13336021/lupita-nyongo-october-2015-cover/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150918134711/http://www.vogue.com/13336021/lupita-nyongo-october-2015-cover/ |archive-date=18 September 2015 |access-date=17 September 2015 |work=Vogue}} That month, Congressman Charles Rangel and Voza Rivers, the head of the New Heritage Theatre Group, announced the day is officially "Lupita Nyong'o Day" in Harlem, New York. The honour was announced as a surprise during an open discussion between Nyong'o and image activist Michaela Angela Davis at Mist Harlem.{{cite web |last=Workneh |first=Lilly |date=21 October 2015 |title=Harlem Dedicated A Whole Day To The Glorious Lupita Nyong'o – Way to go, Lupita! |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/harlem-dedicated-a-whole-day-to-lupita-nyongo_56272af3e4b0bce34702ff70 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151024034756/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/harlem-dedicated-a-whole-day-to-lupita-nyongo_56272af3e4b0bce34702ff70 |archive-date=24 October 2015 |access-date=22 October 2015 |work=HuffPost}}

Nyong'o was included in Annie Leibovitz's 2016 Vanity Fair{{'}}s Hollywood Issue.{{Cite magazine |last=Wolcott |first=James |date=February 2016 |title=From Jennifer Lawrence to Lupita Nyong'o: Hollywood's Fiercest Women Photographed by Annie Leibovitz |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2016/02/jennifer-lawrence-lupita-nyongo-cate-blanchett-viola-davis-hollywood-issue |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525205839/http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2016/02/jennifer-lawrence-lupita-nyongo-cate-blanchett-viola-davis-hollywood-issue |archive-date=25 May 2017 |access-date=13 December 2017 |magazine=Vanity Fair}} Nyong'o was honoured with a caricature portrait in May 2016 at Sardi's restaurant in New York City for her debut on Broadway.{{cite web |last=Gordon |first=David |date=19 May 2016 |title=Eclipsed Star Lupita Nyong'o Receives a Sardi's Caricature—Nyong'o is a 2016 Tony nominee for her performance in Danai Gurira's drama. |url=http://www.theatermania.com/broadway/news/lupita-nyongo-sardis-caricature_77131.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160522142058/http://www.theatermania.com/broadway/news/lupita-nyongo-sardis-caricature_77131.html |archive-date=22 May 2016 |access-date=19 May 2016 |publisher=Theatermania}} That July, she was chosen as one of the first celebrities, along with Elle Fanning, Christy Turlington Burns, and Natalie Westling, to star in Tiffany & Co.'s Fall 2016 campaign styled by Grace Coddington.{{cite web |last=McCall |first=Tyler |date=19 July 2016 |title=TIFFANY & CO. TAPS CELEBRITY FACES FOR THE FIRST TIME—Lupita Nyong'o and Cool Teen™ Elle Fanning star in the brand's Fall campaign styled by Grace Coddington. |url=http://fashionista.com/2016/07/tiffany-and-co-campaign-elle-fanning-lupita-nyongo |access-date=19 July 2016 |publisher=Fashionista}} Nyong'o appeared on Vogue′s October 2016 cover, making it her third issue. That month, she was an honouree at the 2016 Elle Women in Hollywood Awards.{{Cite news |last=Oliver |first=Ellen |date=26 October 2016 |title=Amy Adams, Lupita Nyong'o, Kristen Stewart and other honourees shine at Elle Women in Hollywood Awards |url=https://www.latimes.com/fashion/la-ig-elle-magazine-20161025-snap-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200303013000/https://www.latimes.com/fashion/la-ig-elle-magazine-20161025-snap-story.html |archive-date=3 March 2020 |access-date=21 February 2020 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times}}

In January 2017, she appeared on the cover of Vanity Fair{{'}}s Hollywood Issue.{{Cite magazine |date=26 January 2017 |title=The 2017 Vanity Fair Hollywood Issue Cover Is Here—See Annie Leibovitz's portrait of Emma Stone, Natalie Portman, Ruth Negga, and more. |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2017/01/vanity-fair-hollywood-issue-cover-2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190124090503/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2017/01/vanity-fair-hollywood-issue-cover-2017 |archive-date=24 January 2019 |access-date=21 February 2020 |magazine=Vanity Fair}} She later appeared on the cover of UK's The Sunday Times Magazine for their October 2017 issue.{{Cite web |date=1 October 2017 |title=Sunday Times Style Magazine |url=https://models.com/work/sunday-times-style-magazine-lupita-nyongo/775520 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171214071524/https://models.com/work/sunday-times-style-magazine-lupita-nyongo/775520 |archive-date=14 December 2017 |access-date=13 December 2017 |website=Models.com}} In November 2017, she appeared on the cover of Grazia UK magazine. She later expressed her disappointment with the cover on social media for altering her hair to fit European standards of what hair should look like. Photographer An Le later apologised in a statement, saying it was "an incredibly monumental mistake".{{Cite web |last=Mezzofiore |first=Gianluca |date=14 November 2017 |title=Photoshopped Lupita Nyong'o cover was a 'monumental mistake' says photographer |url=http://mashable.com/2017/11/14/lupita-nyongo-grazia-uk-photoshop-cover-photographer-mistake/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171213082911/http://mashable.com/2017/11/14/lupita-nyongo-grazia-uk-photoshop-cover-photographer-mistake/#so0zg1tBfmqN |archive-date=13 December 2017 |access-date=12 December 2017 |website=Mashable}} Nyong'o often speaks out about embracing her "African kinky hair" and collaborates with hairdresser Vernon François to show how versatile her hair texture is.{{Cite web |last=Barr |first=Sabrina |date=13 February 2018 |title=LUPITA NYONG'O SPEAKS ABOUT EMBRACING HER NATURAL HAIR |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/fashion/lupita-nyongo-natural-hair-embrace-actress-black-panther-relaxed-curls-kinky-a8208261.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191029111529/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/fashion/lupita-nyongo-natural-hair-embrace-actress-black-panther-relaxed-curls-kinky-a8208261.html |archive-date=29 October 2019 |access-date=29 October 2019 |website=The Independent}}

In December 2017, Nyong'o landed her fourth Vogue cover in a row for the January 2018 issue, making her the first black actress to do so.{{Cite web |last=Okeowo |first=Alexis |date=11 December 2017 |title=How Lupita Nyong'o Transformed Herself Into Hollywood's Newest Superhero |url=https://www.vogue.com/article/lupita-nyongo-black-panther-vogue-january-2018-issue |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171211232803/https://www.vogue.com/article/lupita-nyongo-black-panther-vogue-january-2018-issue |archive-date=11 December 2017 |access-date=12 December 2017 |website=Vogue}} She was also included in Tim Walker's 2018 Alice's Adventures in Wonderland – themed Pirelli Calendar as character The Dormouse.{{Cite web |last=Chan |first=Stephanie |date=20 July 2017 |title=Lupita Nyong'o, RuPaul Star Alongside All-Black Cast for Pirelli 2018 Calendar |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/lupita-nyongo-rupaul-star-all-black-cast-pirelli-2018-calendar-1022921 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171214071704/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/lupita-nyongo-rupaul-star-all-black-cast-pirelli-2018-calendar-1022921 |archive-date=14 December 2017 |access-date=13 December 2017 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}

In June 2018, The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce announced Nyong'o will be among the honourees to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the film category.{{Cite web |last=Bitran |first=Tara |date=25 June 2018 |title=Robert De Niro, Lupita Nyong'o, Pink Among 2019 Walk of Fame Honorees |url=https://variety.com/2018/film/news/walk-of-fame-stars-robert-de-niro-1202857039/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626030648/https://variety.com/2018/film/news/walk-of-fame-stars-robert-de-niro-1202857039/ |archive-date=26 June 2018 |access-date=25 June 2018 |website=Variety}} The following month, Nyong'o starred with fellow actress Saoirse Ronan for a Calvin Klein campaign for their new fragrance entitled "Calvin Klein Women". The campaign features both striking, minimalist portraits of the award-winning actresses alongside women they have personally been inspired by, where Nyong'o named Eartha Kitt and Katharine Hepburn as her inspirations.{{Cite web |last=Kristina |first=Rodulfo |date=16 July 2018 |title=Lupita Nyong'o and Saoirse Ronan Are the (Bare!) New Faces of Calvin Klein |url=https://www.elle.com/beauty/a22157590/lupita-nyongo-saoirse-ronan-calvin-klein-women-fragrance/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180716194723/https://www.elle.com/beauty/a22157590/lupita-nyongo-saoirse-ronan-calvin-klein-women-fragrance/ |archive-date=16 July 2018 |access-date=16 July 2018 |website=Elle}} In October 2018, Nyong'o became a two-time honouree, alongside her Black Panther co-stars Danai Gurira and Angela Bassett for Elle magazine's "Women in Hollywood" issue.{{Cite web |last=Elle Magazine Staff |date=10 October 2018 |title=These are Elle's 2018 Women in Hollywood |url=https://www.elle.com/culture/a23695615/elle-2018-women-in-hollywood/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181016081401/https://www.elle.com/culture/a23695615/elle-2018-women-in-hollywood/ |archive-date=16 October 2018 |access-date=15 October 2018 |website=Elle}} Nyong'o appeared on the cover of Vogue España's November 2018 edition.{{Cite web |last=Vogue Staff |date=18 October 2018 |title=El futuro es ahora: una visión de moda en Vogue noviembre |url=https://www.vogue.es/moda/news/articulos/lupita-nyongo-portada-vogue-espana-actriz-noviembre-2018/37285 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181019001912/https://www.vogue.es/moda/news/articulos/lupita-nyongo-portada-vogue-espana-actriz-noviembre-2018/37285 |archive-date=19 October 2018 |access-date=18 October 2018 |website=Vogue}} Nyong'o is a 2019 Hollywood Walk of Fame honouree.{{Cite web |last=Bitran |first=Tara |date=25 June 2018 |title=Robert De Niro, Lupita Nyong'o, Pink Among 2019 Walk of Fame Honorees |url=https://variety.com/2018/film/news/walk-of-fame-stars-robert-de-niro-1202857039/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626030648/https://variety.com/2018/film/news/walk-of-fame-stars-robert-de-niro-1202857039/ |archive-date=26 June 2018 |access-date=25 June 2018 |website=Variety}}

Nyong'o appeared on the cover of Vanity Fair{{'}}s October 2019 issue.{{Cite magazine |last=Drew |first=Kimberly |date=3 September 2019 |title=For the Love of Lupita Nyong'o |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/09/lupita-nyongo-cover-story |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191101143928/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/09/lupita-nyongo-cover-story |archive-date=1 November 2019 |access-date=7 October 2019 |magazine=Vanity Fair}} In November, she made her music debut with her single "Sulwe's Song", which she wrote for her book Sulwe. She was also featured on singer Ciara{{'}}s song "Melanin" under the moniker, "Troublemaker" along with La La Anthony, City Girls, and Ester Dean.{{Cite web |last=Gallagher |first=Caitlin |date=22 November 2019 |title=Lupita Nyong'o Raps On Ciara's New Song "Melanin" As Troublemaker |url=https://www.bustle.com/p/lupita-nyongo-raps-on-ciaras-new-song-melanin-as-troublemaker-19374811 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191123133626/https://www.bustle.com/p/lupita-nyongo-raps-on-ciaras-new-song-melanin-as-troublemaker-19374811 |archive-date=23 November 2019 |access-date=22 November 2019 |website=Bustle}} "Melanin" was nominated for the Her Award at the 2020 BET Awards.{{cite web |author=Margeaux, Sippell |date=15 June 2020 |title=Drake, Megan Thee Stallion, Roddy Ricch Lead 2020 BET Awards Nominations |url=https://www.thewrap.com/drake-megan-thee-stallion-roddy-ricch-lead-2020-bet-awards-nominations/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200615153709/https://www.thewrap.com/drake-megan-thee-stallion-roddy-ricch-lead-2020-bet-awards-nominations/ |archive-date=15 June 2020 |access-date=15 June 2020 |publisher=TheWrap}} Nyong'o was cited as one of 2019's Top 100 most influential Africans by New African magazine.{{Cite web |last=Nyasio |first=Venessa |date=3 December 2019 |title=Kipchoge, Lupita and Tabichi named among 100 most influential Africans |url=https://www.tuko.co.ke/327875-kipchoge-lupita-tabichi-named-100-influential-africans-by-new-african-magazine.html |access-date=15 January 2021 |website=Tuko.co.ke – Kenya news. |language=en}}

Nyong'o made her first appearance on British Vogue's February 2020 cover.{{Cite web |date=30 December 2019 |title=Lupita Nyong'o On Ambition And Being Seduced By Roles That Have The Potential To Shift A Narrative |url=https://www.vogue.co.uk/news/article/lupita-nyongo-on-acting-ambition-politics-personal-life |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230234447/https://www.vogue.co.uk/news/article/lupita-nyongo-on-acting-ambition-politics-personal-life |archive-date=30 December 2019 |access-date=30 December 2019 |work=Vogue}} In March 2020, she appeared on Africa's "50 Most Powerful Women" list by Forbes.{{Cite web |date=6 March 2020 |title=Africa's 50 Most Powerful Women |url=https://www.forbesafrica.com/cover-story/2020/03/06/africas-50-most-powerful-women/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200317125526/https://www.forbesafrica.com/cover-story/2020/03/06/africas-50-most-powerful-women/ |archive-date=17 March 2020 |access-date=10 March 2020 |website=Forbes}}

Nyong'o lives in Los Angeles, having moved there from Brooklyn in June 2023 after the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite news|first=Gregory E. |last=Miller |title=Brooklyn's Lupita Nyong'o fuels Oscar buzz |url=https://nypost.com/2013/10/12/brooklyns-lupita-nyongo-fuels-oscar-buzz/ |date=12 October 2013 |access-date=19 August 2014 |newspaper=New York Post |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131222032804/http://nypost.com/2013/10/12/brooklyns-lupita-nyongo-fuels-oscar-buzz/ |archive-date=22 December 2013 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Raquel |first=Ariana Yaptangco ,Adrienne |date=2024-06-03 |title=Lupita Nyong'o Always Lands On Her Feet |url=https://www.glamour.com/story/lupita-nyongo-cover-story |access-date=2024-06-21 |website=Glamour |language=en-US}} She is a fluent speaker of English, Spanish, Luo, and Swahili. Nyong'o is agnostic.{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6pavxwK-68 | title=A Quiet Place: Day One's Lupita Nyong'o and Joseph Quinn Play Most Likely to | Cosmopolitan UK | website=YouTube | date=25 June 2024 }} On 27 February 2014, at the Essence Black Women in Hollywood luncheon in Beverly Hills, she delivered a speech on the beauty of Black women and opened up about the insecurities she had as a teenager. She said her views changed when she saw South Sudanese model Alek Wek become successful.{{cite news|last=Rothman |first=Lily |url=http://entertainment.time.com/2014/02/28/lupita-nyongo-essence-black-beauty/ |title=Oscar Nominee Lupita Nyong'o: Essence Speech on "Beauty of Black" |magazine=Time |date=28 February 2014 |access-date=2 March 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301014059/http://entertainment.time.com/2014/02/28/lupita-nyongo-essence-black-beauty/ |archive-date=1 March 2014 }}

File:Lupita Nyong'o (82038) (cropped).jpg in 2018]]

In 2014, the National Trust for Historic Preservation recruited Nyong'o in an effort to oppose development, including a new minor league baseball stadium, in the Shockoe Bottom area of Richmond, Virginia.{{cite news |url= http://www.timesdispatch.com/ap/national/lupita-nyong-o-seeks-va-slave-trade-preservation/article_c305884e-edaf-5ea0-a80f-415a4346d6a6.html |agency= Associated Press |title= Lupita Nyong'o seeks Va. slave-trade preservation |work= Richmond Times-Dispatch |date= 24 October 2014 |access-date= 24 October 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://archive.today/20141024180734/http://www.timesdispatch.com/ap/national/lupita-nyong-o-seeks-va-slave-trade-preservation/article_c305884e-edaf-5ea0-a80f-415a4346d6a6.html |archive-date= 24 October 2014 }} The historic neighbourhood, one of Richmond's oldest, was the site of major slave-trading before the American Civil War. On 19 October 2014, Nyong'o sent a letter to Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones, which she posted on social media, asking him to withdraw support for the development proposal.{{cite web|title=Lupita Nyong'o Pens #SaveShockoe Letter to Mayor Jones|url=http://www.wric.com/story/26831562/lupita-nyongo-pens-saveshockoe-letter-to-mayor-jones|publisher=wric.com|access-date=30 November 2014|date=20 October 2014|archive-date=4 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141204030623/http://www.wric.com/story/26831562/lupita-nyongo-pens-saveshockoe-letter-to-mayor-jones|url-status=live}} She later lent her voice in Conservation International's Nature Is Speaking campaign as the flower.{{Cite web |url=https://www.conservation.org/nature-is-speaking/lupita-nyongo-is-flower |title=Lupita Nyong'o is Flower |website=Conservation International |access-date=10 March 2020 |archive-date=12 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200112144932/https://www.conservation.org/nature-is-speaking/lupita-nyongo-is-flower |url-status=live }}

In June 2015, Nyong'o returned to Kenya and announced that she would advocate globally for elephants with the international conservation organisation WildAid, as well as promote women's issues, acting and the arts in Kenya. WildAid announced Nyong'o as their Global Elephant Ambassador.{{cite web | url=http://www.wildaid.org/news/lupita-nyong%E2%80%99o-oscar-winner-back-kenya-and-becoming-global-elephant-ambassador | title=News—Lupita Nyong'o Joins WildAid as Global Elephant Ambassador | publisher=WildAid | access-date=30 June 2015 | author=WildAid | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703011759/http://www.wildaid.org/news/lupita-nyong%E2%80%99o-oscar-winner-back-kenya-and-becoming-global-elephant-ambassador | archive-date=3 July 2015 | url-status=dead }}

Nyong'o is involved with the organisation Mother Health International, which aims to provide relief to women and children in Uganda by creating locally engaged birthing centres. She said she had never thought much about birthing practices until her sister introduced her to MHI executive director Rachel Zaslow. Nyong'o felt that bringing attention to such issues is a mandate for her as an artist. Variety honoured her for her work in 2016.{{cite web | url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/lupita-nyongo-mother-health-intl-africa-1201745417/ | title=Lupita Nyong'o Backs Mother Health Intl. for African Relief | work=Variety | date=5 April 2016 | access-date=5 April 2016 | last=Cox | first=Gordon | archive-date=6 April 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160406023242/http://variety.com/2016/film/news/lupita-nyongo-mother-health-intl-africa-1201745417/ | url-status=live }}

In April 2016, Nyong'o launched an anti-poaching "hearts-and-minds" campaign with her organisation Wildaid in advance of the Kenya Wildlife Service ivory burn that occurred on 30 April, during which the Kenyan government burned one hundred five tonnes of ivory and 1.35 tonnes of rhino horn in a demonstration of their zero-tolerance approach to poachers and smugglers who were threatening the survival of elephants and rhinoceros in the wild.{{cite web | url=http://britsinkenya.com/2016/04/30/watch-lupita-nyongos-ivory-burn-message/ | title=Watch Lupita Nyong'o's ivory burn message | website=BritsInKenya |date=30 April 2016| access-date=11 May 2016 | last=Watt | first=Andrew | archive-date=3 May 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160503000728/http://britsinkenya.com/2016/04/30/watch-lupita-nyongos-ivory-burn-message/ | url-status=dead }}{{cite web | url=http://wildaid.org/news/lupita-nyongo-joins-kenyan-celebrities-new-wildlife-campaign | title=Lupita Nyong'o Joins Kenyan Celebrities for New Wildlife Campaign | publisher=WildAid | date=27 April 2016 | access-date=11 May 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160501182216/http://wildaid.org/news/lupita-nyongo-joins-kenyan-celebrities-new-wildlife-campaign | archive-date=1 May 2016 | url-status=dead }}

In October 2017—in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein sexual abuse scandal and the MeToo movement—Nyong'o wrote an op-ed for The New York Times divulging that Weinstein had sexually harassed her on two separate occasions in 2011, when she was a student at Yale. She had vowed never to work with him thereafter, hence turning down an offer to star in Southpaw (2015), a Weinstein-distributed film. She further wrote about her commitment to work with female directors, as well as male feminist directors who have not abused their power.{{Cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/19/opinion/lupita-nyongo-harvey-weinstein.html |title=Lupita Nyong'o: Speaking Out About Harvey Weinstein |last=Nyong'o |first=Lupita |date=19 October 2017 |work=The New York Times |access-date=20 October 2017 |archive-date=20 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171020000610/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/19/opinion/lupita-nyongo-harvey-weinstein.html |url-status=live }} Nyong'o's op-ed was part of a collection of stories by The New York Times and The New Yorker that won the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Public Service.{{cite web |title=The New York Times, for reporting led by Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey, and The New Yorker, for reporting by Ronan Farrow |url=https://www.pulitzer.org/winners/new-york-times-reporting-led-jodi-kantor-and-megan-twohey-and-new-yorker-reporting-ronan |publisher=Pulitzer Prize |access-date=12 June 2018 |archive-date=4 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181204070202/https://www.pulitzer.org/winners/new-york-times-reporting-led-jodi-kantor-and-megan-twohey-and-new-yorker-reporting-ronan |url-status=live }}

Nyong'o made her writing debut with a book titled Sulwe (2019), published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. Sulwe (Luo for "star") is the story of a five-year-old Kenyan girl who has the darkest complexion in her family, for which Nyong'o drew on her own childhood experiences.{{Cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/17/books/lupita-nyongo-to-publish-a-childrens-book.html |title=Lupita Nyong'o to Publish a Children's Book |last=Gyarkye |first=Lovia |date=17 January 2018 |website=The New York Times |access-date=17 January 2018 |archive-date=17 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180117212128/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/17/books/lupita-nyongo-to-publish-a-childrens-book.html |url-status=live }} The book became a number-one New York Times Best-Seller.{{Cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/books/best-sellers/picture-books/ |title=Children's Picture Books – Best Seller – The New York Times |date=24 October 2019 |website=The New York Times |access-date=24 October 2019 |archive-date=6 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191006150726/https://www.nytimes.com/books/best-sellers/picture-books/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/books/best-sellers/picture-books/ |title=Children's Picture Books – Best Seller – The New York Times |date=24 October 2019 |website=The New York Times |access-date=24 October 2019 |archive-date=6 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191006150726/https://www.nytimes.com/books/best-sellers/picture-books/ |url-status=live }} Sulwe was selected for the 2020 Illustrator Honor at the Coretta Scott King Awards and won for Outstanding Literary Work – Children at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards.{{Cite web |url=http://www.ala.org/rt/emiert/cskbookawards/coretta-scott-king-book-awards-all-recipients-1970-present |title=Coretta Scott King Book Awards – All Recipients, 1970–Present |website=American Library Association |date=5 April 2012 |access-date=24 February 2020 |archive-date=16 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716105759/http://www.ala.org/rt/emiert/coretta-scott-king-book-awards-all-recipients-1970-present |url-status=live }}

In September 2019, Nyong'o became an ambassador for Michael Kors' "Watch Hunger Stop" campaign.{{Cite web |url=https://www.vogue.com/slideshow/lupita-nyongo-michael-kors-watch-hunger-stop |title=Lupita Nyong'o Is Joining Michael Kors in the Fight Against World Hunger |last=Farra |first=Emily |date=30 September 2019 |website=Vogue |access-date=1 October 2019 |archive-date=1 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001165139/https://www.vogue.com/slideshow/lupita-nyongo-michael-kors-watch-hunger-stop |url-status=live }} In October, Nyong'o and her mother were honoured at The Harlem School of the Arts' Mask Ball with a "Visionary Lineage Award". Then, she was honoured at WildAid to receive the "Champion of the Year" award in November.{{Cite web |url=https://www.essence.com/culture/lupita-nyongo-michelle-ebanks-harlem-school-of-the-arts-mask-ball-honorees/ |title=Lupita Nyong'o, Michelle Ebanks And More To Be Honored At Harlem School of the Arts Mask Ball |last=Davis |first=Rachaell |date=9 October 2019 |website=Essence |access-date=28 October 2019 |archive-date=9 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191009161450/https://www.essence.com/culture/lupita-nyongo-michelle-ebanks-harlem-school-of-the-arts-mask-ball-honorees/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/wildaid-gala-honors-lupita-nyongo-champion-year-award-1253702 |title=WildAid Gala Honors Lupita Nyong'o With Champion of the Year Award |last=Bhatti |first=Umber |date=10 November 2019 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=10 November 2019 |archive-date=11 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191111020154/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/wildaid-gala-honors-lupita-nyongo-champion-year-award-1253702 |url-status=live }}

In 2020, The Africa Center announced Nyong'o as a member of its board of trustees.{{Cite web |date=11 June 2020 |title=The Africa Center Elects New Trustees Margaret Chinwe Anadu, Siya Madikane, Lupita Nyong'o, Gbenga Oyebode, Richard D. Segal, and Herbert Onyewumbu Wigwe |url=https://www.theafricacenter.org/the-africa-center-elects-new-trustees-margaret-chinwe-anadu-siya-madikane-lupita-nyongo-gbenga-oyebode-richard-d-segal-and-herbert-onyewumbu-wigwe/ |access-date=20 June 2020 |website=The Africa Center |archive-date=22 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200622114051/https://www.theafricacenter.org/the-africa-center-elects-new-trustees-margaret-chinwe-anadu-siya-madikane-lupita-nyongo-gbenga-oyebode-richard-d-segal-and-herbert-onyewumbu-wigwe/ |url-status=live }}

She expressed solidarity with the people of the Gaza Strip during the Gaza war. Nyong'o, as part of a group called Artists4Ceasefire, signed a letter urging United States President Joe Biden and Congress to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.{{cite news |title='People are being penalised': Hollywood divided over Israel-Hamas conflict |url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/dec/02/hollywood-divide-israel-gaza-conflict-susan-sarandon-cynthia-nixon |work=The Guardian |date=2 December 2023}} In August 2024, Lupita announced via the press that she had recently become a U.S. citizen and planned on voting for Kamala Harris in her first U.S. presidential election.{{cite news|title='Lupita Nyong'o Explained Why The 2024 Election Will Be Her First Time Voting'|url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/lupita-nyongo-explained-why-2024-204315229.html |work=Buzzfeed NEws |date=31 August 2024}}

Nyong'o had a lifelong fear of cats, but underwent exposure therapy for the 2024 film A Quiet Place: Day One in order to work with her cat co-stars. By the end of the film's development she had come to enjoy cats so much that she adopted her own pet cat, named Yoyo.{{Cite web |last1=Carson |first1=Lexi |last2=Tangcay |first2=Jazz |date=2024-06-28 |title='A Quiet Place: Day One's' Breakout Star Is Frodo the Cat: Why Two Kitties Were Better Than One CGI Feline |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/features/a-quiet-place-frodo-the-cat-not-cgi-1236050773/ |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}

{{main|List of awards and nominations received by Lupita Nyong'o}}

• {{Cite book |title=Sulwe |date=15 October 2019 |publisher=Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers |isbn=978-1534425361}}

• List of Mexican Academy Award winners and nominees

{{Reflist}}

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{{Commons category|Lupita Nyong'o}}

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{{Academy Award Best Supporting Actress}}

{{Annie Award for Voice Acting in a Feature Production}}

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{{Black Reel Award for Outstanding Actress}}

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{{Black Reel Award for Outstanding Breakthrough Performance, Female}}

{{Black Reel Award for Outstanding Voice Performance}}

{{Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress}}

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{{London Film Critics Circle Award for Supporting Actress of the Year}}

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{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture}}

{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture}}

{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work – Children}}

{{New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actress}}

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{{St. Louis Gateway Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actress}}

{{TFCA Award for Best Actress}}

{{Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress}}

{{Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actress}}

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{{Berlin International Film Festival jury presidents}}

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Category:1983 births

Category:21st-century African-American actresses

Category:21st-century American actresses

Category:Actresses from Brooklyn

Category:Actresses from Los Angeles

Category:Actresses from Nairobi

Category:Actresses from Mexico City

Category:Alumni of St. Mary's School, Nairobi

Category:American film actresses

Category:American people of Luo descent

Category:American stage actresses

Category:American voice actresses

Category:American women children's writers

Category:Annie Award winners

Category:Audiobook narrators

Category:Best Supporting Actress Academy Award winners

Category:David Geffen School of Drama at Yale University alumni

Category:Documentary film producers

Category:Hampshire College alumni

Category:Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female winners

Category:Kenyan emigrants to the United States

Category:Kenyan film actresses

Category:Kenyan Luo people

Category:Kenyan stage actresses

Category:Kenyan women children's writers

Category:Living people

Category:Maisha Film Lab alumni

Category:Mexican emigrants to the United States

Category:Naturalized citizens of the United States

Category:Obie Award recipients

Category:Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture Screen Actors Guild Award winners

Category:Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role Screen Actors Guild Award winners

Category:People with multiple citizenship

Category:Theatre World Award winners

Category:Women documentary filmmakers

Category:Luo women