Lupita Nyong’o Blasts Racist ‘Odyssey’ Backlash Over Her Casting

Lupita Nyong’o is breezily dismissing backlash surrounding her casting as Helen of Troy, the mythological magnificence whose face “launched a thousand ships,” in Christopher Nolan’s upcoming adaptation of The Odyssey.

“I’m not spending my time considering of a protection,” she mentioned.

As beforehand reported, the Academy Award winner has been trending ever for the reason that solid announcement dropped, with social media turning right into a full-blown battlefield. Whereas the web argues over who ought to embody a personality from a narrative retold for hundreds of years, the actress is remaining targeted on the work itself.

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Earlier than the interview chatter took over timelines, Lupita Nyong’o was already serving high-fashion warmth in a shocking Elle editorial for the journal’s Epic challenge.

One standout behind-the-scenes second from the quilt shoot confirmed the actress dancing throughout the set in a fiery, flowy LaQuan Smith Spring 2026 robe paired with glossy Giuseppe ATL Masego sandals.

Styled by Legislation Roach, the dramatic draping and daring shade palette delivered pure couture confidence with each step.

Now again to the discourse.

Throughout her interview with Elle, Lupita addressed the criticism head-on and made it recognized that she stands firmly behind Nolan’s imaginative and prescient for the movie.

“I’m very supportive of Chris’s intention with it and with the model of the story that he’s telling,” she mentioned.

The solid of The Odyssey is extremely numerous and displays what trendy storytelling appears to be like like right now. Totally different ethnicities, completely different backgrounds, and contemporary views are all being introduced right into a story that, let’s not overlook, is fictional. That actuality is that this mythology has been tailored numerous occasions over generations.

Nyong’o additionally revealed that she “went in fairly blind” to her first assembly with Christopher Nolan however was instantly bought as soon as she obtained a have a look at the script.

“I used to be saying sure even earlier than he instructed me what function it was.”

That proper there reveals simply how a lot religion actors have in Nolan and the sort of tasks he places collectively. And as soon as she discovered she’d be portraying Helen of Troy? She was all in.

“I used to be so deeply honored to be entrusted with the function. I imply, she is iconic. What extra can I say?” Nyong’o says.

In the meantime, the backlash on-line has been loud and ugly. As beforehand reported, Elon Musk, Every day Wire host Matt Walsh, and loads of web trolls flooded social media with racist remarks and complaints in regards to the casting. The negativity even spilled into Lupita’s remark sections, however partaking with these individuals is just not on her to-do checklist.

“I’m not spending my time considering of a protection,” she mentioned. “The criticism will exist whether or not I have interaction with it or not.”

The anticipation for The Odyssey continues to construct forward of its July 17 launch, particularly for the reason that film was reportedly shot fully on IMAX movie cameras. However one factor is already assured earlier than anyone even buys a ticket: Lupita Nyong’o goes to look unimaginable doing it. Her face card has by no means declined and clearly won’t be beginning now.

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