Lupita Nyong'o is by far one of the most gifted actresses in the US. From the silver screen, being a fashion icon to an unprofessional rapper, her star is growing day by day.
However, for the Oscar award-winner, her recent success comes one of her previous dislikes. Lupita is a best-selling author through her book, Sulwe, which portrays a powerful, moving picture about colourism, self-esteem, and learning that true beauty lies within.
In an interview with BBC, on Tuesday, February 4, filmed at Harris Sixth Form College in London, she disclosed how she didn't like reading when she was young.
Lupita had the institution to mentor young women on leadership and the importance of literacy, in an event hosted by the National Literacy Trust.
"Well when I was growing up, I didn't like reading, but I was surrounded by books at all times and I didn't know how to read. But as I grew older I realised that with reading comes comprehension and confidence. And I think those are two qualities that are really important as you get into the workforce and find your place in the world.
Lupita recalled that reading was also crucial in acting as she had to research about her movie roles.
"I had to study coding for a film I was doing and Lord knows I'm not a scientist at all, but I had to study it," she recalled.
Sulwe is a dark-skinned girl who goes on an adventure and awakens with a reimagined sense of beauty. The dark-skinned girl encounters lessons that children learn and then spends the rest of her life unlearning.
For Lupita, she was inspired to write the New York bestseller when she realised that books could represent all people and not only one colour.
"When I was younger, one of the things that didn't help my dislike of reading was the fact that not a lot of the books that I was reading were relevant to my immediate life, to my immediate world. You know, my geography and history books were British. I realised you know what, books don't have to be about white people, they can actually represent all people.
"When you are reading stories that have themes and characters that are relevant to your world, then you are more likely to stick with it longer because you can see the ways in which it is applicable to your life," Lupita asserted.
In November 2019, the Walk of Fame Class of 2019 inductee broke into tears when she was asked to read out a prayer from her book titled Sulwe.
In the interview with Oprah Winfrey, she stated that she would say the prayer to herself when she felt unattractive.
She then grabbed a napkin and used it to wipe her tears before proceeding with the interview.
"This is a story for little ones, but no matter the age I hope it serves as an inspiration for everyone to walk with joy in their own skin.
