Why Lupita’s Role In Americanah Is Massive For Women In Hollywood

And the fact that Brad Pitt’s co-producing is just an added bonus…

The news that Lupita Nyong’o and Brad Pitt are to reunite for Americanah is brilliant, sure. But what’s more interesting is the amount of female-power that this collaboration could potentially unleash in the film industry. Because let's face it, even in 2014 women directors and producers aren't exactly easy to come by.

You see Lupita’s not just starring in the adaptation of Chimamanda Adichie’s best-selling novel. She read the book, loved the book, optioned its rights for film and will be making her debut as a producer with it. And, FYI, most of the planning happened before she’d won that Oscar, or in fact even met Mr Pitt, the producer of 12 Years A Slave. In the male-dominated film industry, we reckon that’s something worth shouting about.

Both Lupita and author Chimamanda are total superwomen (Beyonce is such a fan of Ms Adichie’s feminist preachings that she sampled one of her speeches on her track ***Flawless). After reading the award-winning love story of Nigerian migrants Ifemelu and Obinze, Lupita was so moved that she just had to get in touch.

We were worried that Hollywood’s most in-demand actress was keeping a low profile, until she announced parts in Star Wars and The Jungle Book last week. Taking the reigns on her own career, picking and even creating parts that interest her? Now that’s our kind of starlet.