The rising star over Hollywood that is Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong’o keeps shinning brighter with each passing day. She made headlines and became the talk of town when Kenyans learned that Lupita would be acting alongside Brad Pitt in an upcoming movie.

 ‘12 YEARS A SLAVE’ BASED ON A TRUE STORY

‘12 Years A Slave’ is a historical drama film based on the autobiography ‘Twelve Years a Slave’ by Solomon Northup, a free black man who was kidnapped and sold into slavery.

The film is directed by British director Steve McQueen. Lupita takes on the role of a slave (Patsey) who is the object of both the affections and cruelty of Master Epps (Michael Fassbender). Chiwetel Ejiofor plays the role of Solomon Northup.

RAVE REVIEWS

‘12 Years A Slave’, finally premiered last week at the Galaxy Theaters in the Tulleride Film Festival and gratifyingly our very own Lupita is receiving rave reviews for her supporting role. Below are some of the reviews that acknowledged Lupita for her outstanding performance:

A review in the Los Angeles Times describes Lupita’s performance as a ‘breakout performance’.

“Actresses like Nyong’o don’t come along often, and she’s a stunning discovery amidst an ensemble that carves out room for proven talents such as Paul Dano, Alfre Woodard and Brad Pitt to shine,” wrote movie critic Peter Debrudge in the British Entertainment Magazine.

According to the The Hollywood Reporter, Ms Nyong’o is one of the possible front-runners for an Oscar in the best supporting actress role. She is up against alongside Hollywood heavy hitters who include Oprah Winfrey for her role as Lee Daniels in ‘The Butler’, Meryl Streep (‘August: Osage County’), Naomi Harris (‘Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom’) and Jennifer Lawrence (‘American Hustle’).

Steve McQueen, the director of the movie simply said of Lupita, “a star is born”.

HOLLYWOOD HEAVY WEIGHTS

‘12 Years a Slave’ also features Hollywood heavy weights such as actors Brad Pitt, Paul Giamatti, actresses Alfre Woodard, Sarah Paulson, Quvenzhané Wallis, Ruth Negga, Adepero Oduye. Other supporting actors including  Paul Dano, Benedict Cumberbatch, Scoot McNairy and Garret Dillahunt.

Ejiofor has also been regarded by Hollywood movie critics as a leading contender for the best actor award at the Oscars although some critics suggest that it might be premature to make such speculations.

Ms Nyong’o will also feature in another Hollywood movie ‘Non-Stop’, an action thriller featuring Liam Neeson who starred in the movies ‘Taken’ and ‘Unknown’, set to premiere in February next year.

DAUGHTER OF SENATOR

Lupita Nyong’o, a graduate the Yale School of Drama, is the daughter of the former Minister for Medical Services Anyang’ Nyong’o, currently the Senator for Kisumu county, who must be obviously proud of his daughter’s achievements and who surely has no regrets for any single penny he spent on Lupita while allowing her to pursue her passion in school.

From the Kenya Forum we say Hongera! Well done Lupita! Fingers crossed that you pick up the golden statue and bring it back to Kenya!