lupita nyong’o: a new and refreshing change for black leading actresses

First widely recognized in Steve McQueen’s film, “12 Years A Slave,“ Lupita Nyong’o mesmerized viewers with her dark smooth complexion, enchanting eyes, full lips, short hair, and overall natural beauty. Her beauty is the type to captivate onlookers even if she was freshly woken up, with no makeup, and, obviously, without the need for lengthy hair. Her look seems to represent the truest and purest form of black beauty. Nyong’o is more immediately of African descent by way of Kenya, and her beauty transcends all mixtures of what it means to be and look black. It is extremely refreshing to see a black woman, in a leading role, that doesn’t warrant a discussion or cause curiosity to whether she is truly black or wants to be claimed or known as a black or African or West Indian woman.

(…) Lupita Nyong’o joins the ranks of put-together, intelligent, and successful black actresses such as Nia Long, Taraji P. Henson, Sanaa Lathan, and Kerry Washington, who claim their black roots.

(..) She is an academic, having graduated from Hampshire College with a degree in filmmaking and theatre, as well as attending Yale’s School of Drama. Nyong’o is also a filmmaker in addition to being an actress. This so amazing, because not only is she a beautiful and intelligent woman, she made it a point to know all of the sides of the film craft that she loves, in turn making her a better actress and filmmaker. She does not hide the fact that she did go to college, unlike a couple of other black actresses, which is for another day and another post. No shade, though. No shade.

The grace and style Lupita Nyong’o effortlessly emits, her intelligent way of speaking, positive public appearance and way of carrying herself, as well as her beautiful and striking looks, makes the black race so proud. I am so excited and honored that she is gradually coming to the forefront of Hollywood – not just Black Hollywood – and represents black women so well and completely. Thank you for being you, truly, Lupita Nyong’o.
– Eve

via Black Girl Nerds

* Jamie Broadnax is the writer and creator of the niche blogsite for nerdy women of color called Black Girl Nerds. Jamie has written for Madame Noire and is the VP of Digital for the online publishing hub the She Thrives Network.