Lupita Nyong’o Is Not Losing Sleep Over Racist Backlash To Her Odyssey Casting

Lupita Nyong’o is officially done entertaining the trolls. Ever since it was announced that she would be stepping into the roles of Helen of Troy and Clytemnestra in Christopher Nolan’s upcoming epic, The Odyssey, a vocal corner of the internet has been busy throwing tantrums about her casting. While some critics are obsessed with their own idea of historical accuracy, Lupita is keeping it classy, professional, and completely unbothered.

It is no secret that Nolan’s latest project is one of the most anticipated movies of the year, boasting a massive A-list ensemble. When asked about the backlash surrounding her role as the legendary Helen of Troy, Lupita kept her response focused on the art. “I’m very supportive of Chris’s intention with it and with the version of this story that he is telling,” Nyong’o told Elle magazine on Thursday. “Our cast is representative of the world.”

Don’t expect the star to jump into a social media war or release a lengthy manifesto in her own defense. She’s far too busy for that. As for the critics, Nyong’o said engaging with them would be pointless. “I’m not spending my time thinking of a defense,” she said. “The criticism will exist whether I engage with it or not.” She is clearly choosing to let her performance do the talking when the film finally hits theaters.