Lupita Nyong'o And Kumail Nanjiani Support Immigrants at Oscars 2018, Says 'Nobody From Hollywood Can Find Pakistan on Map'
Extending support to the 'dreamers' in the country, Nyong’o at Oscars 2018 said that she and Nanjiani were two actors whose names people had trouble pronouncing.
Kenyan-Mexican actress Lupita Nyong'o and Pakistan-origin comedian Kumail Nanjiani took a dig at the country's immigrant status during the 90th Academy Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday. Extending support to the 'dreamers' in the country, Nyong’o at Oscars 2018 said that she and Nanjiani were two actors whose names people had trouble pronouncing. They were on stage to present the award for Best Production Design at the award ceremony.
Nanjiani joked saying, "Kumail Nanjiani is my stage name. My actual given Pakistani name is Chris Pine. So you can imagine how annoyed I was when the other – the white one – showed up – The real Chris Pine." She continued saying she is an immigrant from Kenya while Nanjiani snapped saying, "And I am from Pakistan and Iowa, two places that nobody from Hollywood can find on the map."
Nyong'o also said, "Like everyone in this room and everyone watching at home, we are dreamers. We grew up dreaming of one day working in the movies. Dreams are the foundation of Hollywood and dreams are the foundation of America." Nanjiani added saying, "And so, to all the dreamers out there, we stand with you."
Lupita Nyong'o and Kumail Nanjiani at Oscars
Nyong'o latest release Black Panther is doing well at the box office. The movie was appreciated for its representation of Black people. Their comments came amid the ongoing immigration debate in the United States. Nanjiani and his wife Emily Gordon did not win anything for their original screenplay in 'The Big Sick'. The movie also features actor Anupam Kher. While they were nominated, the couple missed out on it and the award went to Jordan Peele to 'Get Out'.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 05, 2018 03:55 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).