Lupita Nyong’o on how to watch horror films
Actor Lupita Nyong’o has learned how to watch scary movies after appearing in her first horror movie role: watch them in daylight and with noise in the background — and standing up so you can leave anytime.
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Actor Lupita Nyong’o has learned how to watch scary movies after appearing in her first horror movie role: watch them in daylight and with noise in the background — and standing up so you can leave anytime.
You turned 36 this month. Last year for your birthday, you took a 10-day vow of silence. What did you learn about yourself?
It’s a great practice to take time out and just listen to yourself. What I learnt is that I never do that. It’s actually a lot harder than you would think.
One of the things I registered was all the negative self-talk we operate with, without question. It becomes a lot louder when you have nothing but your thoughts to keep you company. And then you realise how ridiculous they are.
You were recently at the Oscars. Do you still get starstruck around other celebrities?
The thing about being starstruck is that you can’t really tell who you will be starstruck by, until you are. I met Chaka Khan at this year’s Academy Awards, and I was just like, “Oh my god! She’s standing right there. She’s real!”
Speaking of stars, you’re getting one on the Hollywood Walk of Fame this year.
I’m very excited. That’s the thing of legends, you know. I’ve walked those streets and I never imagined that one day my name would be on a star. I don’t even know how to wrap my head around it.
You’re an outspoken advocate for women’s rights, and one of the many actresses who in 2017 spoke out about how an interaction with Harvey Weinstein affected you. What do you think the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements have changed?
People speaking up and out in unison changes things. It moves the consciousness of people. It’s about stamina and persistence and consistency, and recognising that the movement is for each individual who identifies with it. It’s up to those individuals to then help make collective change.
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You began your Hollywood career as a production assistant. Did you have to fetch coffees? If so, did memorising everyone’s order help with learning lines down the track?
Well yes, I did have to fetch people’s coffee, and I don’t even drink coffee. But it had nothing to do with memorising lines. I think memorising lines helped me remember people’s coffee orders rather than the other way around — because I’ve been learning lines since I was itty-bitty.
You have written a children’s book [Sulwe] about a young girl who wants to lighten her skin, and the events that make her realise her skin is something she should embrace. Presumably as well as any little girl going through the same thing, did you write it for your own younger self?
One hundred per cent. It was quite healing to write. Obviously it was inspired by my own experience; I saw a lot of myself in it. The task of simplifying the significance of my story so that a child can understand and get it and still enjoy the adventure was really important.
I wrote it for little girls who, like me, want to see examples of themselves reflected back on the screen.
As research for your new film Us, director Jordan Peele asked you to watch 10 horror films. How did you go?
It wasn’t the easiest homework to do as I haven’t watched horror films in a very long time. I couldn’t do it on my own — I had to bribe my friends to watch with me. I’ve learnt how to watch horror films now and not freak out: in the daylight, with noises going on and standing up so you can leave anytime [laughs].
In Us, your character has a scary doppelgänger. Now, if you actually did have a look-alike — sans the scary part — what would you get her to do on your behalf?
I would have her make public appearances. And I would probably have her do my laundry. Then again, I would let anyone do my laundry.
Us is in cinemas from March 28.
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