Lupita Nyong’o for Vogue US July 2014

On watching herself in 12 Years a Slave: “I was really nervous about seeing myself in 12 Years a Slave because it had been such a profound experience in all ways. I remember it being one of the most joyful times in my life — and also one of the most sorrowful. I didn’t want my experience to be a vain one. But I will say that when I watched it, my heartstrings were pulled so tight for [the main character] Solomon that I couldn’t go into the ego trip. I cried — I mean, I was inconsolable. I wept for an hour after the movie.”

On being chased by paparazzi: “For a split second I looked behind me to see who they were flashing at — and it was me! That was, I think, the beginning of the end of my anonymity.”

On being intrigued by Star Wars‘ R2-D2 and C-3PO: “They just resonated with me. Being able to convey emotions with just a few digital sounds—it speaks of good storytelling… It’s a wonderful opportunity to be working in these fantastical realms. They’re worlds away from 12 Years a Slave, that’s for sure—but that kind of diversity is what dreams are made of.”

Thank You for Reading.

XO MDollNYC.