It was a very emotional night for ’12 Years A Slave’ actress Lupita Nyong’o. Just hours following the announcement she had earned an Academy Award nominatin for her role in the film, Nyongo won for Best Supporting Actress at Thursday night’s Critic’s Choice Movie Awards.
Upon her win a teary-eyed Nyong’o stated, “Thank you. I’m a little terrified. I’m so honored to be here and I just want to thank the BFCA for this incredible honor,” she began. “This has been an incredible year of excellent performances, and in my category, I feel so honored to be with the likes of June Squibb and Julia Roberts and Jennifer Lawrence and Scarlett Johansson.”
“Being a part of 12 Years a Slave has been one of the most profound experiences of my life and I could not be standing here had it not been for Solomon Northup and his love and passion for freedom…and of course, the incredible, incredible Steve McQueen, “Nyong’o continued.
“Steve, your passion, your dedication and your smile inspired me every day on set, and it continues to inspire me now. I want to thank my team and my family for their support and I’d like to dedicate this to my uncle…who always came to watch every single play I was in, and in one of the last performances he saw me in, he said, ‘You’re good. But let’s see what Hollywood thinks of you.’ He didn’t live to see this day, but I’m sure he’s proud of me. Thank you.”
The film also won two additional awards for Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay. We can’t wait to see how well the film will do at next month’s Academy Awards.
Congrats Nyong’o!
Upon her win, the actress also posed for a picture with television queen and actress, Oprah Winfrey. It was Winfrey who shared the above image with her Instagram followers with this caption, “My favorite photo of the night at Broadcast Critics Award. Lupita N’Yongo.. #12yearsaslave.”
Nyong’o also shared the image adding, “@oprah thank you for being the extraordinary woman you are. You are love personified, inspiration in action. #BFCA #regram.”
Watch the actress’ emotional acceptance speech below.
