Lupita Nyong’o responded to critics of her casting in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, making it clear that she won’t let the backlash define her performance.
In a new Elle profile, the Oscar-winning actress addressed the controversy, including scathing comments from Elon Musk about her role as Helen of Troy, often described as “the most beautiful woman in the world.”
“You can’t represent beauty,” Nyong’o said. “I want to know who a character is. What is beyond beauty? What is beyond appearance?”
The 43-year-old emphasized that Homer’s epic is mythological, not historical, and praised Nolan’s vision of assembling a cast that reflects today’s world.
“I’m very supportive of Chris’ intention with this and with the version of this story that he’s telling,” he explained. “Criticism will exist whether I engage with it or not.”
The actress also highlighted the magnitude of the project.
“It’s an extraordinary thing to be a part of The Odyssey, because it’s so great. It spans worlds. That’s why the cast is what it is. We’re occupying the epic narrative of our time,” he explained.
Musk had previously criticized the decision to cast Nyong’o as Helen and her sister Clytemnestra, accusing Nolan of chasing awards.
Alec Baldwin publicly defended Nyong’o, calling her “the most beautiful woman in the world,” while Jimmy Kimmel mocked Musk in a late-night monologue.
Nolan himself has strongly supported his choice.
He praised Helen’s “strength and poise” and showed faith that the actress can play her.
He also called her “an amazing person to work with.”
