Academy Award-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o delves into the complexities of identity and self-acceptance in her debut podcast, "Mind Your Own."

At 41, Nyong’o reflects on her journey of embracing her African heritage while navigating the pressures of conforming to Hollywood’s standards.

Born in Mexico and raised in Nairobi, Nyong’o reflects on her “complicated relationship” with her voice, revealing that during her time at the esteemed Yale School of Drama, she made a promise to adopt an American accent to enhance her acting prospects.


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“In order to create this podcast, I had to get very comfortable with my voice,” Nyong’o admits, acknowledging that her commitment to voice lessons paid off—albeit at a cost to her authenticity. The pivotal moment came when a casting director expressed surprise at her lack of accent, prompting a wave of emotions as Nyong’o realized she had “ridden herself of herself.”

Determined to embrace her roots, she decided to return to her original Kenyan accent prior to the promotion of her breakout film, “12 Years a Slave.”

Encouraged by her mother, Nyong’o now proudly asserts, “This accent is called Lupita!” and emphasizes that her voice represents her unique life experience.