Lupita Nyong'o won an Oscar two years ago for her role in “12 Years A Slave,” but the actress strongly believes that the Academy needs to address its diversity issue.
Last month, Nyong'o expressed her disappointment about the “lack of inclusion” at this year’s ceremony, and on Wednesday, the actress explained that problem doesn't start at the Oscars.
"It’s a symptom of something else,” Nyong'o said during an interview with Today's Savannah Guthrie.
“I think what we are asking for is really for more stories to be told -- for inclusion in the stories that are told. And I think it’s good for all of us when we hear a diverse number of stories and are able to experience more diversity. It’s more reflective of the world we live in. And so, I think that’s what we ultimately want is a diversity of stories to be told.”
When Guthrie asked Nyong'o if there are certain roles that she wished would come her way, the "Star Wars" actress said that she has used her "weight" in Hollywood to push for stories she feels should come to life.
“I feel really grateful to be in the position that I find myself in, where I can find the little weight that I have to get stories that I feel are untold or yet to be told made and done,” she said. “So for example, with 'Eclipsed' this was something that I brought to the table, because it had moved me in a way that I wanted to perform it and share it with people. So I feel that’s the role that I can play. “
Check out more of Lupita Nyong'o’s interview in the clip above.
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