Online critics questioned the casting, argued about “historical accuracy”, and debated beauty standards. Many others defended Nyong’o and called the criticism racist and colourist.

The controversy quickly grew into another major online debate about race, beauty, and representation in Hollywood. Much of the discussion focused on whether audiences would accept a Black actress in a role that many people traditionally associate with white European beauty.

The outrage intensified after Elon Musk joined the conversation on X. He reposted and reacted to several comments that criticised the casting and questioned whether Nyong’o could represent Helen, the mythological figure famous for her beauty.

Conservative commentator Matt Walsh wrote on X that “not one person on the planet” considers Nyong’o “the most beautiful woman in the world”. Musk replied with one word: “True.”

READ ALSO: These White Hollywood That Are Actually South Africans

The comments triggered immediate backlash online. Critics accused Musk and others of promoting narrow Eurocentric beauty standards. Actor Alec Baldwin defended Nyong’o publicly, praised her beauty, and criticised the attacks against her.

Supporters of Nyong’o’s casting argued that Helen of Troy is a mythological character, not a real historical figure with one fixed appearance. They also noted that writers, artists, and filmmakers have reimagined The Odyssey in different ways for centuries.

Many critics of the backlash also argued that online debates about “accuracy” often target Black actors more harshly when they take roles traditionally played by white performers. As the debate continued, discussions moved beyond Greek mythology and focused more on race, identity, representation, and who audiences believe deserves iconic roles in modern cinema.

The post Lupita Nyong’o Faces Backlash After Being Cast as Helen of Troy appeared first on NBG Africa.

Kenyan-Mexican actress and model Lupita Nyong’o is using her voice to shed light on uterine fibroids, a condition she has personally battled for years.

On her birthday, March 1, 2026, the Academy Award–winning actress revealed in an Instagram post that she has carried 77 uterine fibroids. Of those, 25 have been surgically removed, while more than 50 continue to grow—the largest about the size of an orange.

To symbolise her experience, Nyong’o shared a powerful image of herself holding a basket filled with 77 pieces of fruit, each representing a fibroid and the physical and emotional weight many women endure in silence.

ALSO READ: African Celebrities Who Became Famous Outside Their Home Countries

Opening up about her journey, she shared: “I have endured seasons of constant pain, losing dangerous amounts of blood each month, and suffering in silence.” Her honesty resonated deeply with women who have faced similar struggles.

She is known for her critically acclaimed roles in 12 Years a Slave and Black Panther, Nyong’o has earned numerous accolades, including an Academy Award and a Daytime Emmy Award. Now, she is channeling her global platform toward advocacy and women’s health awareness.

In partnership with the Foundation for Women’s Health, she has launched the #MakeFibroidsCount campaign to raise awareness and fund research for a condition that affects up to 80 percent of women by age 50 and disproportionately impacts Black women. Despite how common the condition is, research funding and treatment options remain limited.

After publicly sharing her story, Nyong’o said women around the world reached out with similar experiences. Their stories reinforced her commitment to pushing for better treatment options, greater medical research, and increased funding.

“To get there, we need research, and research needs funding,” she wrote.

Through #MakeFibroidsCount, Nyong’o hopes to help create a future where no woman suffers from fibroids untreated, undertreated, or unheard, and where women’s health is treated as a priority rather than an afterthought.

The post 77 Fruits, 77 Fibroids: Kenyan Actress Lupita Nyong’o Launches Campaign to End Silence on Fibroids appeared first on NBG Africa.

However, while many African talents rise to fame within their home countries first, others take a different route. Some become household names in Western media, receiving international awards long before their own countries fully embrace just how big they have become.

From late-night television to Oscar-winning performances, these stars cracked the global scene first and then circled back home as legends. Here is a list of five of the greatest stars alive with African heritage who are also Western media sensations:

1. Trevor Noah (South Africa)

Before being fully recognised in South Africa, Trevor Noah had already cracked the international comedy scene. His global breakthrough came with ‘The Daily Show’ in the US, where he became a household name long before many people back home fully clocked how big he was.

Trevor Noah has gone on to host the Grammys for six consecutive years since his hosting career began.

2. Lupita Nyong’o (Kenya)

The Oscar award-winning actress gained international recognition after her 2013 feature film ’12 Years a Slave’, where she played Patsey. She was born in Mexico because her dad was a visiting lecturer there but she later grew up in Nairobi, Kenya.

She acted in plays in Kenya when she was younger but it was not until after she graduated from Yale School of Drama that she landed her breakthrough role which gave her global recognition.

ALSO READ: African Music Stars Who Had No Business Being This Good at Acting

3. Charlize Theron (South Africa)

Charlize was born in Benoni, South Africa. She built her entire career in Hollywood, first as a model before transitioning to acting and becoming an Oscar-winning actress, before many people connected her global stardom to her South African roots.

She has starred in popular movies like ‘Mad Max. Fury Road’ ‘The Old Guard 1 & 2’.

4. Wunmi Mosaku (Nigeria)

The Nigerian-British actress was born in Zaria, Nigeria, and emigrated to England with her parents when she was one year old. She has been in Hollywood since 2009 and is currently an Oscar-nominated Best Supporting Actress for her role in ‘Sinners’.

5. Djimon Gaston Hounsou (Benin)

Born to a Beninese father, Pierre Hounsou, Djimon immigrated to Lyon, France, at the age of 12. After dropping out of school and being homeless for a while, he met a photographer who introduced him to designer Thierry Mugler, who in turn encouraged him to pursue a career in modeling.

His TV career began with appearances in music videos until he made his film debut in Without You I’m Nothing. His performance in Blood Diamond earned him a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.

Despite being global sensations, these stars constantly represent their heritage, never forgetting where they come from.

Who did we miss?

The post African Celebrities Who Became Famous Outside Their Home Countries appeared first on NBG Africa.