Lupita Nyong’o Opens Up About Her Complicated Relationship with Her Voice

In a candid and revealing episode of her new podcast, Academy Award-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o opened up about the struggles she faced with her own voice throughout her career in Hollywood.

Nyong’o, known for her stunning red carpet looks and powerful on-screen performances, shared her journey of coming to terms with her voice on the September 19 episode of “Mind Your Own” podcast. Born to Kenyan parents in Mexico City and raised in Kenya, Nyong’o initially clung to her Kenyan accent as a way to maintain her African identity when she moved to the United States for college.

However, when she pursued her master’s degree in acting at the Yale School of Drama, Nyong’o felt pressure to conform to American standards in order to succeed in Hollywood. She made a conscious decision to work with coaches to lose her accent, believing it was necessary for her career.

But as she navigated this process, Nyong’o admitted she felt like she was losing a part of herself. It was her mother who ultimately helped her embrace her unique voice, reminding her that her accent was a reflection of her life experiences.

Nyong’o’s honesty and vulnerability in discussing her journey with her voice resonated with listeners, as she shared the importance of embracing one’s true self, accent and all. As she eloquently put it, “I guess this accent is called Lupita. I don’t know who can claim it but me.”