Lupita Nyong’o is one of the best actresses in her – *my* – generation. (We Millennials are happy to claim her as one of us.) She broke into the mainstream with 2013’s 12 Years a Slave and quickly established herself as a fantastic dramatic actress. She’s also starred in blockbuster franchises, like the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Nakia in both Black Panther movies, played a role in the Star Wars universe as Maz Kanata (a stop-motion role), gone the horror route in Jordan Peele’s Us, and done an action/spy movie, The 355, which I really liked. She’s currently starring in the prequel to A Quiet Place, A Quiet Place: Day One. But there’s one genre that Lupita is really looking to break into, and that’s the romantic comedy. During a recent event celebrating her career hosted by Paramount Pictures and Hollywood Confidential, Lupita let it be known that she would really like someone to send her a rom-com script.
Lupita Nyong’o has a request for Hollywood casting directors. On Friday, June 14, Paramount Pictures and Hollywood Confidential hosted an event celebrating the Oscar-winning actress, 41, for her years of work in the film and TV industries at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Los Angeles.
Nyong’o’s film and TV résumé is expansive — she took home a Best Supporting Actress Academy Award in 2014 for her work in 12 Years a Slave, portrayed a spy and romantic interest to Chadwick Boseman in Black Panther and starred in horror movies including Jordan Peele’s thriller Us — but there’s one genre she really wants to tackle next, she told PEOPLE.
“Please tell everybody I’m looking for the rom-com,” she announced. “I am here. I’m taking calls. Listen, if I need to audition, I’ll do it. I’m dying to do a comedy. Dying to do a comedy.”
The Emmy winner has started taking matters into her own hands, posting silly videos of herself, her cat and more to show off her lighthearted side.
“I’m trying to tell these executives that I’m funny and that I can be lighthearted and light-footed,” Nyong’o added. “But I do have more dramatic roles in the can than light ones, so someone’s just got to take a chance with me. So consider this my open application.”
Okay, listen up, Hollywood. When Lupita Nyong’o asks to do a rom-com, you say “YES!” Someone send this woman a script, pronto. I’ve never seen it, but back in 2018, Lupita did a “horror/rom-com hybrid” zombie comedy that streamed on Hulu called, Little Monsters. She got great reviews, too. I would love to see her in a straight up rom-com as the female lead. Everyone keeps trying to make Glen Powell happen; I’d watch a movie with the two of them. I also kinda have a crush on Daniel Kaluuya and wouldn’t mind watching him reunite on screen with Lupita. Also, don’t hate me, but I would also watch her in a movie with Channing Tatum. Yes, I know, I know, but I kinda love me some Channing T. He has this earnestness that does it for me. Hmm, who else? I would also throw Donald Glover in the mix, as well. I watched the Mr. And Mrs. Smith series, and as a result, I dig him as a romantic leading man. So yeah, someone in Hollywood needs to make this happen for Lupita. I’ll be there opening weekend.
Photos credit: Justin Ng / Avalon, Avalon.red, sb/Avalon