“I was inconsolable”: Lupita Nyong’o Developed a Phobia After Watching Her Crush Leonardo DiCaprio During Her First Date That Ended in Tears

Leonardo DiCaprio and Titanic were two defining reasons why Lupita Nyong’o became a movie star.

Lupita Nyong’o’s journey to becoming one of the most sought-after Hollywood stars is an inspiring one. Born in Mexico of Kenyan heritage, the celebrity has carved a niche for herself by being a role model for women of color everywhere through her films. Apart from winning the coveted Oscar for her performance in 12 Years A Slave, the Black Panther star has been recognized with many awards.
Lupita Nyong’o in Black Panther 2
Recently, she was the center of attention at CinemaCon where she received the Star Of The Year award. Recollecting many memories of how movies became a part of her, Nyong’o spoke of one film involving her crush Leonardo DiCaprio and the impact it had on her during her first date as a teenager.

16-Year-Old Lupita Nyong’o’s Unforgettable Experience Watching Titanic On Her First Date

Movies have a magical quality of transporting us to another world. They also have a profound impact on our lives as they echo many of the emotions and sentiments that we feel as humans. Lupita Nyong’o experienced all these feelings as a teenager that led to her eventually falling in love with cinema.
Lupita Nyong’o was deeply impacted by Titanic
The Oscar winner who was at CinemaCon to receive an award for Star Of The Year for her upcoming film A Quiet Place: Day One, gave a graceful acceptance speech (via The Hollywood Reporter) in which she went down memory lane to where it all began for her.

Nyong’o recalled her earliest experience of movie magic when she saw Leonardo DiCaprio’s Titanic on her first date as a 16-year-old teenager. The Marvel alum, who admitted to having a massive crush on The Revenant actor at the time, was ecstatic to see her favorite actor on screen.

As James Cameron took the audience through a literal sea of emotions centered around the love story between Kate Winslet and DiCaprio, Nyong’o was transported into the world and recalled being completely immersed in the narrative emotionally. The star revealed the profound impact the film had on her that ultimately shaped her destiny as an actor.

“I was so devastated by the fate of Leonardo DiCaprio’s character that I wept and wept. Long after the credits had rolled, I was inconsolable. In fact, my date and I stayed in the theater for so long that even the staff began cleaning up around us, urging us to leave. But that moment was so special to me. It was more than just a movie. It was an experience that shook me to the core that night.”

The 12 Years A Slave actor stated that this was the overpowering instance that made her truly understand the power of cinema and how it could affect people in different ways. Years later, Nyong’o’s glittering career is ample proof that movies are truly magical.

Lupita Nyong’o on Why A Quiet Place: Day One Is Special

Actor Lupita Nyong’o will be the central protagonist on one of the most awaited films of the year, A Quiet Place: Day One. Based on an original story by John Krasinski, the film will also see Joseph Quinn and the return of Djimon Hounsou to the franchise. The narrative will explore the origins of the sound-hunting aliens and their invasion of Earth.
Lupita Nyong’o in A Quiet Place: Day One
The prequel which is part of the franchise that was created successfully by Krasinski, will see some very interesting elements in terms of how the story is executed according to Nyong’o. In an interview with ET, the Oscar-winning actor spoke of her excitement in being part of the project and the unique way in which Krasinski approached this story.

“What he relayed to me is that he was interested in doing something new with the franchise he created, and the universe he created, but also with the genre of horror film, [and] finding new ways to get into that genre and to expand it. And I think that this film does that. It’s a new tone.”

A Quiet Place: Day One will be helmed by Michael Sarnoski and is set to be the big blockbuster release this summer when it hits theaters on 28th June, 2024. All eyes will be on Nyong’o as she tackles yet another challenging role.

Titanic is streaming on Disney+.