via Daily Nation
Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong’o bagged her first award on Monday
night at the 17th Hollywood Film Awards held at the Beverly Hilton in
Los Angeles California.
Ms Nyongo who was rubbing
shoulders with the crème de la crème of the film industry, was honoured
with the New Hollywood Award for her breakout role in Steve McQueen’s
12 Years A Slave which debuted in select theatres in the US, UK and
Canada over the weekend.
The Hollywood Film Awards
ceremony is considered as the first stop of the award season and plenty
of A-Listers packed the full banquet room.
The newly minted Hollywood wonder girl was introduced by actress Angela Bassett who paid glowing tribute to the newcomer.
Ms Bassett said that movie goers will be treated to a “breakthrough performance that they will not soon forget"
Ms Nyong’o has been billed as one of the top contenders for the best supporting actress
Oscar award.
TERRIBLY OVERWHELMED
The
actress broke down in tears as she made her acceptance speech thanking
Ms Bassett for her kind words and all those who had made the moment
possible.
“As you can tell, I am terribly overwhelmed, but I also feel extremely blessed by all this,” Ms Nyongo said tearfully.
The audience erupted in applause when Nyong’o thanked her mother who was also in attendance.
“And
to my family especially my mummy who is here with me today, words
cannot express how grateful I am for always believing in me,” she said
emotionally.
Towards the end of her speech which very
well received, she broke down again while thanking the film director
Steve McQueen for giving her the opportunity to be a part of the film.
“..And
now Steve…..I will never forget this opportunity you’ve created for me.
Your thoughtful and complex direction will stay with me always. I love
you,” she said fighting through tears.
McQueen was honored with the Hollywood Breakout Director Award.
EERIE LOVE TRIANGLE
She
also recounted her first rehearsal when one of the lead actors Michael
Fassbender turned to her and told her “you are my peer.” And standing
here now, I truly feel that,” Nyong’o concluded.
Fassbender
plays the role of Edwin Epps, a brutal plantation owner who is obsessed
with Patsey (Lupita Nyong'o), the slave who picks more cotton each day
than any other slave and whom he regularly rapes. Edwin's wife (Sarah
Paulson) becomes aware of their ''relationship'' and the situation blows
up into eerie “love” triangle.
Other honorees at the
award ceremony included Sandra Bullock ("Gravity"), Matthew McConaughey
("Dallas Buyers Club") and Julia Roberts ("August: Osage County") .
12
Years a Slave opened in 19 theatres across Los Angeles, New York,
Chicago, Washington DC, Atlanta and Toronto, Canada on Friday.
It
will be released to additional cities namely Boston, Dallas/Fortworth,
Detroit, Houston, Philadelphia and Baltimore on October 25.
It will be released in all US cities on November 1.
