A PEEP INTO LUPITA NYONG’O’S HOMECOMING BASH

#LUPISTAR

W

ith the Oscar firmly in her armpit, what Lupita fans and Kenyans alike, I included are waiting for is the actress’ homecoming and the party begins.

The celebrations are going to be big. Sorry, in Luo-pean; stupendous is the right word for a daughter of the soil and people from Luo land who ooze with swag.

From the alleys of Kibera and Nyamasaria slums; to the streets of Nairobi; Kenyans I hear will party hard.

In that day of her arrival; as a formality, many will fill the airport to the brim; led by the Gor Mahia followers. With the president around; of-course having awarded the day a National Holiday break; the officers will get some work and lots of work.

Dressed elegantly and carrying all manner of paraphernalia; the staunch followers and Lupita fans will warm the airport with their cheers and jeers.

The brigade will, thereafter pour into the roads of Nairobi; blocking traffic, with anti-riot police keeping guard.

Let us give credit where it is due; some in the heat of ecstasy will resort to harassing motorists and looting.

Sources have indicated that they are planning what will turn out to be the biggest ‘homecoming bash” ever to be held in the celebrity circles.

I hear the Range Rovers; Hammers and Mercedes Benzes; are being dusted in readiness for the celebration fit for kings.

Word has it that they will also throw in a chopper and at some point Lupita will ride on a white horse chariot. It promises to be scintillating; but let us wait and see!

Gini wasekao! Donge!

By Embukane Vincent Libosso.

WHERE WAS KENYA’S P.R WHEN LUPITA NEEDED IT?

#PUBLICRELATIONS

“When I look down at this golden statue; may it remind me and every little child that no matter where you are from; your dreams are valid?”

The above quote went viral and trended. It was Lupita Nyongo’s acceptance speech at the Oscars. Whatever way it seems; destiny has it that Lupita Nyong’o will be on our lips for a long time.

As a student of communication; one of the fundamental units is Public Relations (PR). Infact, we are taught; “buildings depreciate, patents expire, but, properly managed, a company’s name and reputation grow in value every year.”

But typically; our PR as Kenya failed   completely! We have been caught flatfooted and seemingly clueless on how to react to golden Lupita moment and take full advantage of the Oscar winner’s day of glamour in all possible ways.

There is a notion that those in authority do not fully appreciate the effect a co-ordinated media campaign can play. We have seen it in Kenya. Oliver Litondo generated good international publicity with the First Grader; but was largely ignored. It happened to Sidede Onyulo; who wooed overseas film audiences and critics for his role in the Oscar award winning film, Nowhere in Africa.

On the road to the Oscar for Monster; South Africa’s Charlize Theron had the entire country behind her; putting out a cozy media campaign to announce to all and sundry that she was South African.

South African not only threw parties in Hollywood; but also made her homecoming a public holiday, with tens of thousands of people waiting to receive and celebrate her triumph. The icing on the cake was a moment with Nelson Mandela. Theron was clearly overwhelmed.

For Kenya; one would have expected a high profile delegation to Los Angeles for the Oscar night- Lupita was already big news, with or without the award.

It was also an occasion to brand to brand Kenya, promote national harmony by rallying for a true winner and celebrate value of hard work, commitment and sheer talent.

There should have been congratulatory messages on huge billboards all over the country, strategically placed media advertisements and on major international show business magazines too share her joy and emphasize that she is Kenyan.

Where were the publicists? Were they caught napping on the job? Give us your feedback. Go ahead and criticize, vehemently if that’s how you feel.

By Embukane Vincent Libosso; as inspired by John Kariuki’s piece for The Standard; “how Kenya lost rare; golden Lupita moment.”

NON-STOP MOVIE SALES SOAR AFTER LUPITA BAGS OSCAR

#THEBOXOFFICE

Call it the Oscar’s aftermath but only a few days after Kenyan Hollywood star Lupita Nyong’o won her first Oscar for the portrayal of Patsey in Steve McQueen’s 12 Years a Slave; Box-office sales for her second film Non-Stop has soared across US-theatres.

Non-stop went directly to the top after collecting a clean sh 2.6 billion ($30 million) at the weekend.

The flick; released on February 28 alongside Son of God; has overtaken the latter that has grossed sh 2.3 billion ($26.5million) and the Lego movie whose uptake stands at 1.8billion ($21 million) that have dominated sales in the last couple of weeks.

In Non-stop; Lupita is acting alongside Liam Neeson, Juliana Moore and Michelle Dockery.

The silver screen icon will be in Paris for a couple of days but will be back for a full diary of activities.

By Embukane Vincent Libosso.

THIS SUNDAY IS LUPITA'S BIG DAY AT THE OSCARS

The time has finally come for the much-anticipated and acclaimed 2014 edition of the Academy Awards a.k.a The Oscars. 86 years later and this globally appreciated award ceremony still recognizes and awards the greatest talent on screen.

This season’s films were nearly all phenomenal and celebrated and they’ve got everyone crossing their fingers. The black race has felt the impact and themes of many of the films; from 12 Years a Slave, A long Walk to Freedom, The Butler and Fruitvale Station (even though some were snubbed).

Let’s cut to the chase, all Kenyans and most African and Black American people are this year, especially routing for Hollywood’s latest It-Girl and breakout star, Kenyan actress and director, Lupita Nyong’o. The notoriously beautiful Luo girl who played the pretty little slave Patsey in the film: 12 Yeas a Slave, is the first actress from Kenya to be nominated for the Oscars. She will be battling the likes of Jennifer Lawrence (American Hustle) and Julia Roberts (August: Osage County) for the Best Actress in a Supporting Role.

Below are some of the big categories of the event and details to watching the Oscars live.

Best Picture

American Hustle

Captain Phillips

Dallas Buyers Club

Gravity

Her

Nebraska

Philomena

12 Years a Slave

The Wolf of Wall Street

Best Actor in a Leading Role

Christian Bale (American Hustle)

Bruce Dern (Nebraska)

Leonardo DiCaprio (The Wolf of Wall Street)

ChiwetelEjiofor (12 Years a Slave)

Matthew McConaughey (Dallas Buyers Club)

Best Actress in a Leading Role

Amy Adams (American Hustle)

Cate Blanchett (Blue Jasmine)

Sandra Bullock (Gravity)

Judi Dench (Philomena)

Meryl Streep (August: Osage County)

Best Actor in a Supporting Role

Barkhad Abdi (Captain Phillips)

Bradley Cooper (American Hustle)

Michael Fassbender (12 Years a Slave)

Jonah Hill (The Wolf of Wall Street)

Jared Leto (Dallas Buyers Club)

Best Actress in a Supporting Role

Sally Hawkins (Blue Jasmine)

Jennifer Lawrence (American Hustle)

Lupita Nyong’o (12 Years a Slave)

Julia Roberts (August: Osage County)

June Squibb (Nebraska)

From the highlights, you can tell who we are really supporting. Watch Oscars 2014 Live on Sunday March 2nd on M-Net Movies Premiere at 4:00 a.m. local time and re run same day at 10:30 p.m. on MNet East.

Compiled by Anyiko Owoko & Ondi Madete.

NEW TV-SHOW WELCOMES YOU INTO STATEHOUSE

Ever been curious about what happens behind the exclusive State House gates? Kenyans love a good drama and what better drama exists than the details of State House affairs? Described as “distinctively Kenyan, and yet widely accessible and appealing”, State House, new local TV Show is exclusively a political drama series. Set in a fictional State House in East Africa, this intriguing series focuses on the lives, loves and scandals that face the people who work, live around the President.

It’s something worth being proud of that out that State House was selected out of 60 proposals sent by producers from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and South Africa, following Zuku’s 2013 request for proposals for unique, entertaining and marketable content. Produced by award-winning Kenyan filmmakers, Wanuri Kahiu and Rebecca Chandler; the show features a stellar line-up of revered artists, including Helen Keli from the acclaimed ‘By Any means Necessary;’renowned TV and radio personality Jimmy Gathu; and Chichi Seii, a Kenyan singer, actress and dancer.

This roller coaster of drama and intrigue revolves around the new leadership following the exit of the former president, President Entere and the marked entry of a young, popular and radical new Commander-In-Chief, Kajana Mda, (Jimmy Gathu.)

State House will show on Zuku Entertainment, channel 100 every Monday 8:30 p.m., starting 3rd March. If you can’t wait and must see, you must hurry, the first three episodes can also be seen at Imax until March 1st, brought to you by Zuku and Awali Entertainment (Kenyan production house.)

http://www.upnairobi.com/dt_portfolio/new-tv-show-welcomes-you-into-state-house/

Lupita Wins Oscar for Best Supporting Actress!

Lupita Wins Oscar for Best Supporting Actress!

Published on Monday, 03 March 2014 07:17

Written by Della Mbaya

She's done it!

Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong'o was today honoured by the Academy Awards for her riveting performance in Steve McQueen's '12 Years A Slave'.

The actress, who before the fame was best known for her turn in the series 'Shuga' has finally hit the 'jackpot' – taking home the coveted award for Best Supporting Actress.

Speaking to E!'s Ryan Seacrest while walking on the red carpet just prior to the award ceremony, she spoke about the massive success that has come her way since the release of the film:

"I feel so blessed that my first job out of school could have come with such recognition. I'm really excited to be here!" She adds: "I didn't grow up watching the Oscars so for me it was something that I really came to understand was a big deal when I was in college. My dream was to be an actor I didn't know it came with all this."

Go Lupita!

http://www.homeboyzradio.co.ke/index.php/latest-news/6153-lupita-wins-oscar-for-best-supporting-actress

LUPITA WINS ANOTHER FILM AWARD AT THE IMAGE AWARDS

#filmawards

M

arch 2^nd is a day awaited by many film and movie-buffs. It is the day for the Oscars; and 12 Years a Slave; starring Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong’o is looking forward to nine wards. Kenyans are hoping Lupita will be the first Kenyan to win an Oscar; but even as we wait; the actress has added yet another feather to her cap by winning one more award.

The National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People (NAACP) Awards were announced at The Pasadena Civic Auditorium in California USA.

Also known as the Image Awards; the NAACP Awards celebrate the accomplishment of people of color in film, television, music and literature.

She grabbed the award for Outstanding Supporting actress in a motion picture for her work in 12 Years a Slave.

She beat Oprah (once again) in The Butler as well as her co-star Alfre Woodard, Mandela: long walk to freedom’s Naomie Harris and Fruitvale Station’s Octavia Spencer.

“it has been a historic year in film for all of us in this room, and I am so proud to be a part of that history;” said Lupita, adding that “it was such an honor to be recognized for  a film that has meant so much to so many people, a film that has inspired discourse long overdue.”

12 Years a Slave; directed by Steve McQueen; was a winner too; bagging the Most Outstanding Motion Picture. Forest Whitaker in Lee Daniel’s The Butler; won Outstanding Actor; and Angela Basset went home with the Outstanding Actress award.

Whitaker’s co-actor David Oyelowo won the Outstanding Supporting Actor award.

With the Oscars around the corner; Lupita’s fellow nominees for the Best Actress in a supporting role for the 86^th edition of the Oscars include Jennifer Lawrence in American Hustle; Julia Roberts in August: Osage County, June Squib in Nebraska and Sally Hawkins in Blue Jasmine.

What is the prize-tag you ask for an Oscar? Well, frankly there is no money-attached to an award (it sucks I know) but a win (this sounds eve more good) for any actor or actress gives him or her bargaining power to charge more for an appearance on a film.

Lupita’s win keeps her the favorite for the Oscars to be announced this Sunday!

BY EMBUKANE VINCENT LIBOSSO.

LUPITA NYONG’O AT BAFTA AWARDS

#BAFTA-AWARDS

Our week long #lupitanyong’o series continues….

12 Years a Slave actress; Lupita Nyong’o may have lost out to Jennifer Lawrence but she still turned heads with her glamorous outfit. Accompanied by her mother; Dorothy Nyong’o on the red carpet at the Bafta Awards in London on Sunday; the two rocking beauties stole the show and they were amazing at it.

12 Years a Slave went ahead to win the coveted best film honor; with British star Chiwetel Ejiofor collecting the best actor Bafta for his role as Solomon Northup.

British director; Steve McQueen collected the Best film trophy for 12 Years a Slave; and thanked his “one and only mother for having the faith –never give up.”

The Baftas can be an indicator of which film go on to win Academy Awards; which take place on the 2 march.

Last year Argo won best film; Daniel Day-Lewis won best actor; and Christoph Waltz and Anne Hathaway took the best supporting acting prizes. They all went on to win Oscars.

By Embukane Vincent Libosso.