Lupita Nyong'o: Embracing the Challenges of Creativity

Lupita Nyong'o, the Oscar-winning actress known for her acclaimed performances in films like "12 Years a Slave," "Us," and "Black Panther," opens up about the struggles she faces in unleashing her artistic side. Despite her undeniable talents, Nyong'o reveals that creativity doesn't always come easily, and she must actively work to nurture and protect her creative process.

Unlocking the Artistry Within

Navigating the Mundane Demands of Daily Life

Nyong'o candidly admits that the administrative tasks and everyday responsibilities of life can often sap her creative energy. "There's a lot of administrative work, lots of emails to answer – dishes in the sink!" she laughs. "It can take away a lot of my vitality." To combat this, the actress emphasizes the importance of being deliberate in carving out time and space for her creative pursuits. "Creativity is something that I have to safeguard, I have to make time for it, and I have to be very deliberate," she explains.

Embracing the Journey of Artistic Growth

Nyong'o's impressive filmography may suggest an effortless creative process, but the actress is quick to dispel that notion. She acknowledges that her path to success has been a gradual one, filled with self-discovery and a willingness to embrace her artistic aspirations. "It took me a long time to give myself permission to want to be an actor," she reveals. "I harboured that desire for a number of years, even if I was still doing it, and then finally in my twenties, I said it out loud – 'I want to be an actor' – and I went after it."

Nurturing Creativity Through Diverse Experiences

Nyong'o finds immense fulfillment in the opportunity to inhabit different characters, which she believes keeps her mind active and her spirit vibrant. "What I find most rewarding is the opportunity to play different characters, which means my life is always exciting and there's a lot of change," she says. "I think it's really good for my brain and will hopefully keep me quite spritely."

Redefining Success Beyond External Validation

While Nyong'o has undoubtedly achieved remarkable success in her career, she cautions against relying solely on external measures of accomplishment. "If you measure your success by how much praise you get, you're going to be spending a whole lot of time feeling inadequate," she advises. Instead, the actress emphasizes the importance of cultivating internal measures of success, such as personal growth and the pursuit of meaningful goals, even if they may not garner public recognition.

Nurturing Confidence Through Intentional Effort

Nyong'o believes that confidence, like creativity, is not a static state but rather something that requires ongoing work and dedication. "You have to work at it," she says. "It's not something that you have one day and then you have it forever, your confidence will always be tried, and so it's important to put in the work to keep it alive, keep it taut, keep it in play."

Embracing Personal Style and Self-Expression

Nyong'o's impeccable style has long been admired, but the actress reveals that her fashion choices have evolved over time. She recalls initially having a list of "no-goes" for red carpet appearances, but has since become more daring in her sartorial choices. "Anyway, I've worn all of it, so I guess I've grown more daring," she says. Nyong'o's mother's advice to "always dress to respect yourself and the event that you're going to" has been a guiding principle, underscoring the importance of cultivating a personal style that aligns with one's values and self-expression.