A big part of what makes Steve McQueen’s 12 Years A Slave so damn affecting is its collection of out-of-this-world performances, from Chiwetel Ejiofor’s powerful turn as free man-turned-slave Solomon Northup and Michael Fassbender as the violent and brutal Edwin Epps. It’s very possible the film will take home more prizes before the night is done, but it has kicked things off with a big win in the Best Supporting Actress category, with Lupita Nyong'o picking up the trophy.
The actress took to the stage in a long flowing blue stress that she had to raise up high to avoid tripping and falling. Holding her statue firmly in her grasp, she concluded her heartfelt speech to all of those out there with aspirations of greatness: "No matter where you’re from, your dreams are valid."
The Best Supporting Oscar race was certainly one of the tightest in this year’s show, completely packed with some of the biggest actresses in Hollywood. Some may even consider Nyong’o’s big win an upset, as there were many prognosticators out there who believed there was a strong possibility that American Hustle’s Jennifer Lawrence would walk away from the night with her second Academy Award. Also vying for the prize was June Squibb from Alexander Payne’s Nebraska, Julia Roberts from John Wells’ August: Osage County, and Sally Hawkins from Woody Allen’s Blue Jasmine.
In 12 Years A Slave Nyong’o played Patsey, a slave working alongside Solomon Northrup as he is stuck down south working for horrifying plantation owners. The actress gives an incredible turn in the film, as her character is subject to some truly intense brutality, and her performance brings incredible emotion and power to what is already an incredibly emotional and powerful story.
Below you can watch our interview with the actress from back before the movie was released last fall, as well as a featurette about the 12 Years A Slave Cast
