Lupita Nyong’o Calls Press Junkets ‘Torture Techniques’
Lupita Nyong’o is tired of being forced to take part in press junkets. In a new interview with Glamour magazine, the A Quiet Place: Day One star was asked about what irritates her most about being an actor. She replied simply, “Interviews.”
Nyong’o Calls Press Junkets ‘Torture Techniques’
Providing more elaboration, Nyong’o calls press junkets “torture techniques.” The Oscar winner said that press junkets ferry in different people to ask the same questions repeatedly.
“You have to give each one of them attention, focus, and an articulate answer that you just gave to the person before,” the Kenyan-Mexican actress added. “That’s irritating.” Reflecting on her early acting career, Nyong’o, 41, felt “burdened” by the weight of wanting to be perfect in every encounter.
Since then, she has accepted the fact that she can’t give her all every day, and now “allows” herself to be “a human being.” I allow myself to be a human being,’ she says. ‘I’ve just found a way of forgiving myself for not being perfect.’”
Reacting to her stance on X (formerly Twitter), she received tons of support from fans. One person wrote, “i despise new hollywood but i have to say this is the most honest thing ive ever heard from them and those junkets come across fake.” Another noted, “I don’t know why junkets are still a thing. It’s pointless and outdated. A zombie behavior.” Added a third, “Good One, Lupita! Now you know how people feel watching it!!!”
However, some folks didn’t find her comments about press junkets to weigh in on her salary as an actor. One person said, “Sounds like what a teacher does for parents evening, minus the massive paycheck these poor actors get.” Added another, “That’s called marketing your movie to their customers. Sucks. But part of the job…” A third stated, “Has she forgotten the old adage that you act for free, they pay you to promote?” One user wrote, “First world problems right on display. I bet she doesn’t complain about the money she gets to promote it though. More than most working class people see in a lifetime.”
She isn’t the only star to air her grievances about doing press junkets. A few months ago, Oppenheimer star Cillian Murphy told GQ magazine that press junkets aren’t a great model and he’d rather let the movies take on the promotional lifting.
Nyong’o will next be seen in the spin-off prequel of A Quiet Place in A Quiet Place: Day One, out in theaters on June 28th. The sci-fi horror film written and produced by John Krasinski also stars Joseph Quinn, Alex Wolff, and Djimon Honsou. Watch the trailer below:
