New York City, NY – Lupita Nyong’o, the Academy Award-winning actress, is celebrating her role in the film “A Quiet Place: Day One” for helping her overcome her fear of cats. Nyong’o plays the character Samira in this horror movie, where she is accompanied by her cat Frodo as aliens invade Earth and take over New York City.
In an interview with “CBS Mornings,” Nyong’o admitted that she had been terrified of cats her whole life. She described them as little lions, expressing that their presence made her cry and feel suspicious. Initially, she even suggested to director Michael Sarnoski to consider using a different animal like an armadillo for her character’s companion.
To confront her fear, Nyong’o underwent exposure therapy, where cats were brought into her home and released in her presence. This experience helped her gradually overcome her phobia. In a surprising turn of events, Nyong’o adopted an orange tabby cat named Yoyo shortly after publicly announcing her split from her boyfriend Selema Masekela in October.
Through her Instagram posts, Nyong’o shared how Yoyo has brought healing and a sense of new possibilities into her life during a challenging period. She expressed her transformation from someone who feared cats to now being a proud pet owner, cherishing the bond she has developed with Yoyo.
While filming “A Quiet Place: Day One,” Nyong’o admitted that she had to learn to convincingly portray a cat owner who cares deeply for her feline companion. She developed a fondness for the cat actors, Nico and Schnitzel, who played pivotal roles alongside her in the movie, describing her bond with them as heartwarming.
Nyong’o’s journey with Yoyo has been documented in various outlets, showing how the cat has played a crucial role in her emotional healing process. As “A Quiet Place: Day One” continues to make waves in theaters, it is projected to have a successful opening weekend at the domestic box office, cementing Nyong’o’s impactful performance in the film.