Academy Award-winning actress, Lupita Nyong’o is a picture of ease and comfort, and heat, as she dances behind the scenes at the Elle Magazine Summer 2026 photoshoot.
Dressed in a shot orange dress and gold high heels, Nyong’o’s perfectly tones body is on display as she dances to Queen Tings, a contemporary R&B, Soul Trap, and Jazz-Trap number by Masego (featuring Tiffany Gouché).
Posted by hairstylist to the stars Vernon Francois, the video shows Nyong’o in one of the outfits she changed into for the shoot, which was fire themed.
The Mexican-born Kenyan beauty was recently cast as Helen of Troy in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, which will be in theatre in July 2026.
Nyong’o will star alongside Charlize Theron, Zendaya, om Holland, Matt Damon and Anne Hathaway, among others.
The controversy over Lupita Nyong’o’s role as Helen of Troy
Although The Odyssey is a mythical story, some feel that casting a black actress in the role of Helen of Troy is a misrepresentation.
The likes of Elon Musk took to X to express his displeasure about the casting.
According to The Guardian, in response to the general criticism, Nyong’o said: “This is a mythological story. I’m very supportive of Chris’s intention with it and with the version of this story that he is telling. Our cast is representative of the world. I’m not spending my time thinking of a defense. The criticism will exist whether I engage with it or not.”
