Why Do People Hate Lupita Nyong’o?
Lupita Nyong’o is an Academy Award-winning Kenyan-Mexican actress admired by many for her acting talent and advocacy work. However, a small minority express dislike or hatred towards her online. Why does this hostility exist despite her accomplishments?
Her Success and Talent Can Provoke Envy
As an accomplished and talented actress, Nyong’o’s success can provoke bitter envy in some:
- Won Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her first film role out of Yale School of Drama
- Starred in several critically-acclaimed films like “Black Panther” and “Us”
- Lands coveted roles and magazine covers that other actresses aspire to
This extremely rapid rise to fame at a young age can anger those struggling to get acting jobs or who lack her natural talent.
Her Outspoken Views Generate Controversy
Nyong’o holds passionate views on social/political issues and is not afraid to express them:
- Advocates for underrepresented groups in Hollywood
- Criticizes racist media depictions and beauty standards
- Condemns Harvey Weinstein’s sexual abuse of women
While many praise her willingness to speak out, some find her views too opinionated or polarizing.
Her Looks Don’t Fit Common Beauty Standards
Unfortunately, Nyong’o also receives criticism regarding her physical appearance:
- Has darker skin complexion that goes against Eurocentric beauty norms
- Doesn’t chemically straighten her naturally short, kinky hair
- Has prominent African facial features that don’t fit European ideals
Those clinging to narrow beauty standards can wrongly equate her unconventional looks with being ugly or unworthy of success.
She is a Prominent Target as a Black Woman
As a black woman excelling in a white-male dominated industry, bigoted criticism is also directed her way:
- Faces misogynoir – racism and sexism specific to black women
- Hit with demeaning slurs, anger over her confidence and talent
- Seen as threat to white privilege and power structures
Vicious online trolls thus target her gender, skin color, and defiance of expectations placed on African women.
Youth and Anonymity Enable Online Hate Mobs
Those who dislike Nyong’o can easily join or form hate mobs attacking her online:
- Social media mobs give cruelty a bigger platform
- Younger, less mature fans often behind worst attacks
- Anonymity enables trolls to spew racism/sexism without repercussions
This mob mentality normalizes cruelty from individuals who likely wouldn’t publicly share such nasty views under normal circumstances.
She Symbolizes Change That Threatens the Status Quo
Ultimately, Nyong’o represents positive change as a woman of color succeeding in historically white male spaces. This symbolism threatens bigoted worldviews favoring the status quo:
- Success undermines racist beliefs about black inferiority
- Power threatens notions favoring white male dominance
- Unapologetic confidence defies expectations to minimize herself
To those clinging to regressive views, her triumphant example directly confronts their discriminatory beliefs. Criticism thus comes from entrenched ignorance, insecurity, and fear of social equality.
Conclusion – What Drives Dislike of Lupita Nyong’o
Lupita Nyong’o confronts people clinging to narrow, regressive views on female beauty, racial equality, and power structures with her extraordinary acting talents and outspoken advocacy. Rather than engage in valuable self-reflection, a misguided minority instead direct immature envy, bitterness, prejudice, and mob cruelty her way.
But these toxic beliefs and behaviors say far more about the attackers than Nyong’o, who moves forward proudly as Hollywood royalty and role model. She focuses energy on elevating fellow women and people of color while sprinkling Black Girl Magic across screens both big and small for marginalized groups to delight in.
So while Twitter trolls and envious actresses try fruitlessly to dim her light, Lupita Nyong’o’s radiance only grows. Those who admire her confidence, talent, and resolve to speak truth to power vastly outnumber and overshine those driven by fear to tear down her glow.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dislike of Lupita Nyong’o
Why do some people consider Lupita Nyong’o ugly?
A minority criticize Nyong’o’s looks due to racism and narrow beauty standards favoring lighter skin, Eurocentric facial features, and straight hair. Some struggle to view darker-skinned black women as attractive.
Does jealousy cause the negative comments about Lupita Nyong’o?
Yes, envy over accomplishments like her Oscar win or starring roles likely contributes to some of the hostility Nyong’o faces, especially from struggling actors or bitterly insecure people.
Are most attacks against Lupita Nyong’o racist or sexist?
While not all criticism stems from discrimination, a significant portion exhibits clear racism and sexism in the form of slurs, anger over her black advocacy, or gendered insults. Bigoted views fuel much hostility.
Why don’t more people defend Lupita Nyong’o from online hate?
Fear of becoming targets, discomfort with confronting prejudice, indifference due to lack of personal stakes, and ignorance around the harassment black women face can discourage defense of Nyong’o.
Does Lupita Nyong’o invite controversy with her political outspokenness?
While her passionate stances generate some backlash, the criticism also stems from racist efforts to silence black opinions. Regardless, Nyong’o sees using her platform to promote social justice as more important.
| Year | Lupita Nyong’o Achievement |
| 2013 | Wins Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for “12 Years a Slave” |
| 2014 | Named “Most Beautiful Person” by People Magazine |
| 2018 | Stars as Nakia in global hit “Black Panther” |
| 2019 | Stars in Jordan Peele’s “Us” with $255 million box office |
