The Odyssey’s Lupita Nyong’o responds to all that racist criticism from Elon Musk, Matt Walsh, and others. In the new Christopher Nolan movie, she’s playing Helen of Troy.
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So, after all that fervor online, Nyong’o sat down with Elle Magazine to talk about the upcoming project. Word of all this frank racism has reached her ears, but she had a similar response to a lot of people scrolling on social media out there. Namely, that this is a work of fiction first and foremost.
Once you accept that fact as a starting point, the rest of the complaints look even sillier. As we’ve stated in our other reporting, no one really knows what Nolan is doing with The Odyssey as well. A lot of the details in the short clips that are out there and photos hint at something more than an up and down interpretation of this ancient story.
“This is a mythological story,” Nyong’o told the magazine. “I’m very supportive of Chris’ intention with it and with the version of this story that he is telling. Our cast is representative of the world. I’m not spending my time thinking of a defense. The criticism will exist whether I engage with it or not.”
Nyong’o had such a strong answer for all of this “controversy.” Yes, she may not look like A lot of the popular conceptions of the woman whose face launched 1000 ships, this a person who is widely regarded as one of the most attractive performers on the entire planet.
Just because Elon Musk and his ilk can’t seem to get down with that vision doesn’t mean that she’s not attractive. In fact, because social media is social media, A lot of the respondents in the replies wanted to make it clear that they thought Nyong’o is more than attractive enough for the job.
Lupita Nyong’o Responds to Racist Critics
The Odyssey star had more to say though. Helen is one of literature’s most-heralded beauties. Now, because of that interview with Elle, we know more of what she loves about this version of Helen.
As the movie draws near, it’s going to be even more exciting to hear a small snippet of what drew such an accomplished performer to this massive ensemble cast.. Here’s what Nyong’o had to say about her time on The Odyssey.
“You can’t perform beauty. I want to know who a character is. What is beyond beauty? What is beyond looks? That’s the thing about doing such a well-known text, which has been studied and interpreted and derived from,” Nyong’o pondered. “The research could be endless. The good thing about working with a writer like Chris is that it’s on the page. The investigation starts with the pages you’re given. That’s what I based it on.”
And some other comments about the upcoming movie, The star also backed the diverse casting on display in Nolan’s Vision. People have been upset about Travis Scott and Elliot Page both playing roles in the film. But, As the audience demonstrates, diversity is a strength.
Nyong’o argues, “It’s quite something to be a part of ‘The Odyssey,’ because it is so grand. It spans worlds. So that’s why the cast is what it is. We’re occupying the epic narrative of our time.”
(Photo Credit: Universal Pictures)
