Lupita Nyong’o finally spoke out about the racist backlash over her casting as Helen of Troy in Christopher Nolan’s new movie ‘The Odyssey‘. As the film nears the end of production, some online critics, including Elon Musk and Matt Walsh, got upset that a Black actress was playing a character often called the most beautiful woman in the world. But Nyong’o isn’t losing sleep over it. Her reply was simple: “This is a mythological story,” she said.
The controversy started when Nolan confirmed Nyong’o would play the Spartan queen, the legendary figure often linked to the phrase that her “face launched a thousand ships.” Criticism followed almost immediately. Matt Walsh posted on X that “not one person on the planet actually thinks that Lupita Nyong’o is ‘the most beautiful woman in the world.’” He called Nolan a “coward” for not picking a white actress. Elon Musk agreed, replying “True” to Walsh’s post. Musk also said Nolan “desecrated The Odyssey so that he would be eligible for an Academy Award.”
Nyong’o’s Calm and Powerful Response
Nyong’o talked about all this in a new interview for Elle. She didn’t feed the trolls and instead put the whole thing in perspective. “I’m very supportive of Chris’ intention with it and with the version of this story that he is telling,” she said. “Our cast is representative of the world. I’m not spending my time thinking of a defense. The criticism will exist whether I engage with it or not.”
The actress, who won an Oscar for ‘12 Years a Slave‘ and starred in ‘Black Panther’, said people focus too much on looks. That is not what acting is about. “You can’t perform beauty,” Nyong’o explained. “I want to know who a character is. What is beyond beauty? What is beyond looks?”
Christopher Nolan Defends Casting and Hollywood Double Standard
Nolan, known for his rigorous dedication to practical filmmaking, stood firmly by his decision. He told the outlet that casting Nyong’o was a “no-brainer.” He pointed to her “strength and poise” as key to the character.
In case you missed it: Why Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’ Black Armor May Be More Historically Accurate Than Fans Think
Commentators have pointed out the irony of the backlash, noting that Helen of Troy is a demigoddess born from an egg after Zeus disguised himself as a swan, making her hardly a figure bound by historical realism. Furthermore, critics of the “authenticity” argument recall Hollywood’s long history of “whitewashing,” where white actors were cast as non-white characters (such as Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra), which drew far less outrage from conservative circles.
Travis Scott and Elliot Page Also Face Backlash as ‘The Odyssey’ Wraps
Nyong’o is not the only one facing scrutiny. Rapper Travis Scott and actor Elliot Page have also faced racist and transphobic comments about their roles in the movie, which have not been revealed yet.
Even with all the noise, Nyong’o is just focused on the work. The movie has a huge cast that includes Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Zendaya, and Anne Hathaway. “It’s quite something to be a part of The Odyssey, because it is so grand. It spans worlds,” Nyong’o said. “We’re occupying the epic narrative of our time.”
‘The Odyssey‘ is set to release on July 17, 2026.
You might also want to read: Christopher Nolan Defends Travis Scott’s ‘The Odyssey’ Casting With A Surprising Homer Argument
