Academy Award winner Lupita Nyong’o recently opened up about conquering her fear of cats, recovering from a painful breakup, and the toughest part of her job: interviews. The actress shared these insights during an interview with Glamour, discussing her upcoming role in “A Quiet Place: Day One,” set to release on June 28.
Nyong’o revealed that she initially tried to avoid working with a cat in the film. “I asked the director Michael Sarnoski if there was any way that we could change the animal,” she said. “I suggested an armadillo; he was not having it.” However, after undergoing intensive “cat therapy,” she became so enamored with the animal that she adopted her own cat following the shoot. This adoption coincided with a challenging breakup with boyfriend Selema Masekela, announced on Instagram in October. Nyong’o credited her new cat, Yoyo, for helping her through a tough emotional period.
“I was flirting with depression,” she admitted. “I wasn’t there yet, but I was flirting with it. And I had a voice say in my head, ‘Get a cat.’” Her mother flew in from Kenya to support her, as did one of her best friends. When she visited Best Friends Animal Society, a sign that read “Not over your ex? Foster a cat” resonated with her deeply.
