When Lupita Nyong’o was called to win the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress last night, it was a dream come true. Not just for Lupita, but for so many like her. During her touching acceptance speech, the 12 Years a Slave actress recognized the importance of her win, saying:
“When I look down at this golden statue, may it remind me and every little child that no matter where you’re from your dreams are valid.”
As she headed backstage the Kenyan beauty was still in awe, but she managed to give an interview and the quotables kept coming:
“I’m a little dazed. I can’t believe this is in my hands. I can’t believe this is real life. Yeah, I’m just ‑‑ I don’t know. I’m really overwhelmed,” she said.
On What She learned Being The “It” Girl:
“What I will say is that what I have learned for myself is that I don’t have to be anybody else; and that myself is good enough; and that when I am being true to that self, then I can avail myself to extraordinary things such as this, you know, that I didn’t think was necessarily possible, but I didn’t cancel it out of my realm of possibility, and I think that’s the thing. You have to allow for the impossible to be possible.”
On The Most Encouraging Thing Said To Her During Awards Season:
“I think the message that I’ve gotten from many people who have been in this position is that they’ve said from ‑‑ from their hearts that the outcome doesn’t matter, that you’ve already won. The work has been done. And remembering that has kept me hopeful, and positive, and relaxed.”
On The Values Her Parents Instilled In Her:
“I think credit must be given to my parents. I have phenomenal parents. My father is famous in his own right, has done amazing things for our country, Kenya, and my mother, too. She’s a trailblazer. She’s ‑‑ she’s a pioneer. And to watch those two people do so much and mean so much to everyone but at the end of the day still have the humility to serve. I think their example because at the end of the day I just feel it is my deeds that are more important than my than my fame. You know?”
On How She’s Celebrating Her Win:
“I’m going to the Governors Ball, and I’m going to be doing all things Oscar‑related. This is my first time here, and it’s all been ‑‑ it’s like I ‑‑ I don’t know. It’s like I feel like Willy Wonka in the chocolate factory.”
Beauty, class and grace. We couldn’t love this woman any more. Congrats to Lupita. SOURCE: The Academy | PHOTO CREDIT: Getty
