LENNY JUMA EXPLAINS WHY SHUGA PRODUCERS INITIALLY REJECTED LUPITA NYONG’O

Renowned Kenyan actor and casting director Lenny Juma has shared a fascinating behind-the-scenes story about how Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o was initially rejected by producers of the hit series Shuga. 

In a recent interview with Cheptoek Boyo on Buzz central Podcast, Juma revealed the challenges he faced in convincing the producers to consider Nyong’o for the role.

Juma, who was involved in the casting process for Shuga, recalled submitting a photos of Lupita for consideration. However, the producers were unimpressed, dismissing her as “not beautiful enough” for the role.

“They were looking for a beautiful actress, and I gave them a picture of Lupita Nyong’o,” Juma explained. “The producers thought she was not beautiful. I told them, ‘This is the most beautiful girl in Kenya and Africa.’ Reading the script and seeing the scenes, I knew she could do it, and her parents were more liberal. But they went to look for the girl to play the part in the clubs.”

Despite the initial rejection, fate had other plans. The producers eventually stumbled upon Nyong’o in a club and brought her in to audition. Unbeknownst to Nyong’o, Juma had already submitted her for the role.

“Lupita didn’t know I had submitted her for the role,” Juma revealed. “When she was going in for the casting, she had stage fright because it was a major international production. I advised her, and she went and got the part. Now, she is in the U.S., making waves globally.”

Nyong’o’s performance in Shuga marked a turning point in her career, paving the way for her eventual rise to international stardom. She went on to win an Academy Award for her role in 12 Years a Slave and has since become one of Hollywood’s most celebrated actresses.