Key Takeaways:
– Lupita Nyong’o sought therapy to overcome her fear of cats for her lead role in ‘A Quiet Place: Day One.’
– Eventually, she adopted a cat named Yoyo who helps her relax.
– Nyong’o describes her unexpected Oscar win as a surprise, with no expectations of winning.
– ‘A Quiet Place: Day One’ is set to release on June 28, 2024.
Diversity and talent make the backbone of entertainment, especially in Hollywood. Amongst such talent is Lupita Nyong’o, renowned for her unique acting diversity and contribution to shrinking Hollywood’s gender gap. Despite her renowned prowess, not all roles come easy to her. Her role in ‘A Quiet Place: Day One’ posed an unexpected challenge: she had to work closely with a cat, an animal she feared.
Overcoming Fear For Role in ‘A Quiet Place: Day One’
Directed by Michael Sarnoski, ‘A Quiet Place: Day One’ is an upcoming sci-fi horror prequel in the Quiet Place franchise. Nyong’o stars as Sam, an ordinary person caught in an alien invasion’s unsettling chaos. A part of her role involves acting alongside a cat, an ordeal for her, given her existing fear of felines.
Seeking Therapy to Conquer Fear
On discussing the issue with Glamour magazine, Nyong’o revealed that she considered asking the director to switch the cat for another animal, even suggesting an armadillo. However, she chose to face her fear directly. The Black Panther actress decided to sign up for cat therapy lessons, pushing through despite the trepidation.
She said, “I had to learn a lot about myself, about the animal, before I was comfortable to do it.” Indeed, her effort yielded results. Nyong’o expressed that she grew accustomed to the cat soon after the filming began, overcoming a long-standing fear.
A New Feline Friend at Home
Such was the result of Nyong’o’s therapy that she later adopted a 2-year-old cat, Yoyo. She amusingly comments, “shows me how to relax,” highlighting the drastic shift from her initial fear.
Unexpected Triumph at Oscars
Every artist’s journey is interspersed with victories and challenges. For Nyong’o, winning the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her debut role in ’12 Years a Slave’ was one such victory in 2014. She didn’t expect to win, reacting only after her brother nudged her when her name was announced, marking a standout moment in her career.
This win made her the first Kenyan-Mexican actress to win an Oscar, further amplifying her role in diversifying Hollywood. Other accolades include the Screen Actors Guild Award, Critics’ Choice Movie Award, and nominations for NAACP Image Award, Daytime Emmy Award, and Tony Award.
Waiting for ‘A Quiet Place: Day One’
Fans are eagerly awaiting ‘A Quiet Place: Day One,’ scheduled for release on June 28, 2024. This film will not only showcase the actress’s brilliance and versatility again but also stands as a testament to her commitment to overcoming personal challenges in the pursuit of her art.
