Lupita Nyong’o Reflects On The Pain Of Losing Chadwick Boseman

At a BFI London Film Festival event on Monday, Lupita Nyong’o discussed how she continues to cope with her ongoing grief following Chadwick Boseman's death.

Boseman, the acclaimed actor best known for his role as T'Challa in Marvel's "Black Panther," passed away on August 28, 2020, at the age of 43. His death was a shock to many, as he had kept his battle with colon cancer private.

The actor was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer in 2016, which progressed to stage IV. Despite his illness, he continued to work on numerous film projects, including "Da 5 Bloods," Ma Rainey’s "Black Bottom," and "21 Bridges."

Chadwick Boseman's death prompted an outpouring of grief from fans, colleagues, and celebrities, including his co-star Lupita Nyong’o, who says she is still navigating the loss.

The actress spoke at a Screen Talk event on Monday while promoting her new film, "The Wild Robot." When presented with a clip of her character alongside Boseman's T'Challa from the 2018 Marvel film, Nyong’o fell silent and became visibly emotional.

After a few moments, the Kenyan actress shared that she had not watched the film since Boseman passed away from colon cancer at the age of 43 in 2020.

“The grief is the love, and no place to put it,” she said, per The Hollywood Reporter. When asked if she wanted to move on to the next class, she politely declined. “No, no… It’s fine. I don’t want run away from the tears or the grief. You just live with it. That experience will never be separate from the love that was formed.”

“I watch this clip and I’m filled with grief and I don’t know whether I’ll ever be done shedding my tears from losing my friend," she continued. "But I’m like, we get to see him alive. And that’s so wonderful.”

She praised the response to the 2018 film, noting that the love and reception surpassed the expectations of the cast and crew.

“There was a lot of fear, definitely from the executives… Marvel was shaking a little bit in their boots!” she said with a laugh. “We were too because we were like, we only get to do this once. And we gotta do it right.”

But ultimately, it “totally shattered the myth that Black doesn’t sell.”

Boseman, the legendary star who brought T'Challa to life in Marvel's "Black Panther," tragically passed away on August 28, 2020, at just 43 years old.

The news of his passing sent shockwaves through Hollywood and beyond, sparking an outpouring of love and admiration from fans and fellow stars alike, all celebrating his incredible talent and lasting impact on the film industry.

Three years after his death, Lupita Nyong'o honored her "Black Panther" co-star with a sweet tribute shared on Instagram. “Three years ago today, I experienced a singular pain at the news of Chadwick Boseman‘s death,” Nyong’o wrote in her sweet tribute to her co-star, adding that “the confusion” over Boseman’s death “was so profound that it took months to trust the feeling of joy again.”

“This is a photo I took on film at the airport as we arrived in South Korea in 2018,” she wrote alongside a photo of Boseman. “We had just learned to do the baby heart with our fingers. Here Chadwick was adding his suave flare. We spent a glorious 72 hours there, and the memory fills me with so much joy.”

Boseman wasn't just an actor; he was a cultural icon who represented Black excellence on screen. His untimely death reignited crucial conversations about representation in Hollywood, shining a light on his advocacy for social justice and equality.

Specifically, the late actor used his platform to raise awareness about systemic racism and police brutality. Additionally, he often spoke about the significance of Black narratives in Hollywood and the importance of uplifting Black voices.

Boseman was known for his philanthropic efforts, particularly in support of various causes. He donated to organizations focused on education, cancer research, and health care. He also contributed to the "Wakanda Forever" campaign, which raised funds for children battling cancer.

Chadwick Boseman's legacy continues to resonate, inspiring countless future actors and filmmakers to follow in his groundbreaking footsteps.