Lupita Nyong’O interviewed Madina Nalwanga, her co-star in Queen of Katwe for Lena Dunham’s newsletter Lenny yesterday. It was nice to see the close bond between the actresses and a chance to get some behind-the-scenes gossip about the Disney film.
Apparently Madina still calls Lupita ‘Mum’, more than a year after shooting wrapped up. And Lupita always responds!
Madina also told Lupita how she was cast:
‘Yeah. They were looking for dancers, and we performed for them. They gave me a line to say, and I said it for them: “Mama, how does a city person get to have a house?” The next day they called me to one of the biggest hotels in Uganda. I had to go through workshops, some outfits, everything. I really had to work hard for that. It was like three weeks. I wasn’t actually used to the cameras; it was my first time.’
Great interview but it would be nice to see Lupita Nyong’o and Madina Nalwanga on an African publication… hint hint.