Why Lupita will remain the queen of Hollywood

While Kenyans, and indeed the rest of the world, are celebrating Lupita Ngong’os meteoric rise to international fame; some ill meaning souls are predicting doom for the Oscar award winning actress.  Lupita, who played Patsey in 12 years a slave, has won accolade after accolade for her performance in the historical film.

Lupita, who has become the poster child for natural beauty, has been touted as a game changer in the fashion industry. She has worn garments by the leading international designers making a splash on the carpet time after time. For many African Americans and people of colour worldwide, her dark skin is confirmation that beauty comes on any shade.

Yet amid the praises, some have opined that the Kenyan born star will not stand the test of time in Hollywood.  Some have even gone to the extent of thrashing Lupita’s appearance calling her unpolished and unfeminine. To these naysayers I say:  you underestimate the tenacity of a Kenyan soul.

Lupita had all the odds stacked up against her, but she managed to win an Oscar. She does not fit into the West’s traditional ideals of feminine beauty buy she somehow makes it to magazine covers.  Through time will tell the path her career will take, she won’t  leave the headlines soon.