There has been outrage on social media following the announcement that Lupita Nyong’o, Kenyan-Mexican actress, would play the role ‘Ifemelu’, the main protagonist, in HBO Max’s movie adaptation of the novel ‘Americanah’.
‘Americanah’, authored by Chimamanda Adichie, Nigerian writer, follows the story of ‘Ifemelu’, a young self-assured Nigerian woman who falls in love with her classmate as they depart for the west only for her to grapple with realities of being black.
Following the announcement, some Nigerians took to social media platforms, especially Twitter, to air their divided opinions on why the Oscar-winning actress should play the role of an “Igbo lady” in the movie adaptation in place of indigenous Nollywood actresses from the east.
A segment of users also accepted the decision, saying that she “bought the rights to play the role in the 10-episode adaptation of Adichie’s novel
“Accent will be Lupita’s ONLY problem, if there’s a problem. Everything, maybe except accent, will be the problem if it’s a Nigerian actress,” a Twitter user wrote.
“They need to stop doing this. We have fine actresses from Nigeria who can play these roles better. Lupita is good but try other people who are Nigerians. What, she’s going to be told or taught how to speak Half-baked Igbo instead of A real Nigerian?,” said another user.
“When you can, you would go for the best. Lupita playing that role will suffer one thing and one thing alone: The Igbo accent. But, if we can put that aside, we would all agree that she will interpret the character perfectly,” said a Nigerian.
Here is what some Nigerians had to say:
Accent will be Lupita’s ONLY problem, if there’s a problem.
Everything, maybe except accent, will be the problem if it’s a Nigerian actress.
— San Junipero (@FadioraGbenga) September 14, 2019
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When you can – You would go for the best..!!
Lupita playing that role will suffer one thing and one thing alone..
The “Igbo” accent..But if we can put that aside..we would all agree that she will interpret the character perfectly..
AdvertisementSo the question is..
Na accent be problem..?— Duke Edoho (@droayung) September 14, 2019
They need to stop doing this. We have fine actresses from Nigeria who can play these roles better. Lupita is good but try other people who are Nigerians. What, she’s going to be told or taught how to speak Half-baked Igbo instead of A real Nigerian? https://t.co/lo0eoPSjwL
Advertisement— ALMOST A BILLIONAIRE (@MeetHajaar) September 14, 2019
The Americanah story is really a masterpiece and it’s sad that no one in the Nigerian movie industry was thinking as fast as Lupita
— RAY (@ofure__) September 14, 2019
Lupita is going to play Ifemelu from Igbo land Nigeria? I love Lupita a lot, but this is not it. Feels like she's the default pick whenever Hollywood needs an African Actress. If it's too hard to find one in Nigeria, give us Yvonne Orji? Cynthia Erivo? Tracy Ifeachor? https://t.co/jbgey6CUvx
— (Her Grace) The Duchess of Mbaise. (@YugeeohUo) September 14, 2019
First, Lupita acquired the rights to adaptation of that book as far back as 2014. It's her right to do anything with it. Where were all Nigerian actors, actresses, intellectuals then? Nothing is your right.
— OKOSISI V (@AGodRizzy) September 14, 2019
If only it was a Nigerian that bought the rights to the book and casted Lupita as lead maybe I'll be angry. Don't forget they're making a world series for HBO and not a sitcom for STV hence, the quality of actors has to be over-the-top top notch and not some compensation party.
— Otunba Dékúnlé (@dekunle_ib) September 14, 2019
There are more Novels, stories and historical incidents from Nigeria & Africa that can be adapted into movies. But no, Nollywood will keep recycling the same storylines. When Hollywood decides to tell the story, y’all start making demands. Nkechi should be picked over Lupita? 🤣
— FAVOUR ONYEOZIRI (@LifeOfRouvafe) September 14, 2019
Your Nigerian movie stars didn’t buy the rights to Americanah or thought to bring it to screen. Lupita did. Your outrage has been registered but it is also irrelevant to the production and progress of the project. All you can do is not watch it and that is your personal problem.
— Demilade Roberts (@DemiladeR) September 14, 2019
If only it was a Nigerian that bought the rights to the book and casted Lupita as lead maybe I'll be angry. Don't forget they're making a world series for HBO and not a sitcom for STV hence, the quality of actors has to be over-the-top top notch and not some compensation party.
— Otunba Dékúnlé (@dekunle_ib) September 14, 2019
First, Lupita acquired the rights to adaptation of that book as far back as 2014. It's her right to do anything with it. Where were all Nigerian actors, actresses, intellectuals then? Nothing is your right.
— OKOSISI V (@AGodRizzy) September 14, 2019
There are more Novels, stories and historical incidents from Nigeria & Africa that can be adapted into movies. But no, Nollywood will keep recycling the same storylines. When Hollywood decides to tell the story, y’all start making demands. Nkechi should be picked over Lupita? 🤣
— FAVOUR ONYEOZIRI (@LifeOfRouvafe) September 14, 2019
Ngl I wish they cast a Nigerian actress. I loveee Americanah and Lupita but I just want to hear an authentic Nigerian accent 😣 https://t.co/xd1jAbABbV
— Ekenechukwu (@ekenesays_) September 14, 2019
The Americanah story is really a masterpiece and it’s sad that no one in the Nigerian movie industry was thinking as fast as Lupita
— RAY (@ofure__) September 14, 2019
Nigerians can really be entitled! Where were you guys when Lupita bought the rights to make a film adaptation of Chimamanda's Americanah?pic.twitter.com/1SCfUxrvPE
— TWEET PAPA🍒🍷⭕️ (@TweetAtAustin) September 14, 2019
When you can – You would go for the best..!!
Lupita playing that role will suffer one thing and one thing alone..
The “Igbo” accent..But if we can put that aside..we would all agree that she will interpret the character perfectly..
So the question is..
Na accent be problem..?— Duke Edoho (@droayung) September 14, 2019
If you’re Nigerian and complaining about Lupita playing Ifemelu, firstly stop embarrassing yourself.
Secondly, keep that same energy when Nigerians + Nigerians in diaspora play other IDs.
This feels like a tit for tat more than anything….because of recent years. Grow up.
— Your face is not encouraging me. (@koviebiakolo) September 14, 2019
Lupita is going to play Ifemelu from Igbo land Nigeria? I love Lupita a lot, but this is not it. Feels like she's the default pick whenever Hollywood needs an African Actress. If it's too hard to find one in Nigeria, give us Yvonne Orji? Cynthia Erivo? Tracy Ifeachor? https://t.co/jbgey6CUvx
— (Her Grace) The Duchess of Mbaise. (@YugeeohUo) September 14, 2019
Lupita bought the rights, random person on the internet is angry she's acting in a project that she bough rights to
— Ayobami (@dondekojo) September 14, 2019
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