Lupita Nyong’o Says We Should All Be More Like Emma Thompson

It’s no easy task looking natural on the red carpet while hundreds of photographers scream your name. So, it’s no surprise that Lupita Nyong’o channels a popular Hollywood starlet during these high-pressure situations.

In a recent interview with PorterEdit, the 36-year-old actress revealed that she wasn’t always confident on the red carpet. However, that all changed when she started channeling Emma Thompson. 

“Emma Thompson, she’s the realest woman,” she said. “Observing her on the red carpet and how free and irreverent she was…”

The pair made headlines in 2014 when Thompson photobombed Nyong’o at the 2014 SAG Awards. Although the 12 Years a Slave star was initially scared to make a scene, Thompson settled her fears.

She continued, “She was like, ‘Don’t sweat it. We get to wear pretty dresses and prance around this red carpet, so enjoy it.’ That made it less pressure. I’m like, ‘Okay, I need to channel my Emma Thompson.’” 

Nyong’o rose to fame after winning the 2014 Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for 12 Years a Slave. She has since starred in a number of blockbusters, including Black Panther and Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

Will Nyongo’o team up with Thompson for a brand-new project? We’ll be crossing our fingers.