<p><a href="https://www.okayafrica.com/lupita-nyongo-releases-debut-new-childrens-book-sulwe-an-ode-to-dark-skinned-kids/" target="_self"><em><strong>Read: Lupita Nyong'o Releases Debut Children's Book 'Sulwe,' an Ode to Dark-Skinned Kids</strong></em></a></p><p>The Oscar award-winning actress reportedly shared with<em> Good Morning America (GMA)</em> that the inspiration for the audio version came <a href="https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/culture/video/lupita-nyongo-talks-audio-version-childrens-book-sulwe-76221434" target="_blank">after she heard Spanish actress, <strong>Penelope Cruz, </strong>read it out loud</a> for her daughter. Nyong'o revealed to <em>GMA</em> that Cruz's emotional response to<em> Sulwe's</em> experience of discrimination moved her to add voices to the characters to create a fitting mood. Nyong'o not only narrates the book but also lends her voice to each character in the book. The success of <em>Sulwe</em> has resulted in the works of the highly anticipated, upcoming animated musical which Nyong'o was tight lipped about except that she is part of the production team.</p><p><div class="preroll-video"></div><ora-player></ora-player></p><p><em>Sulwe</em> is inspired by <a href="https://www.okayafrica.com/lupita-nyongo-speaks-about-colorism/" target="_blank">Nyong'o's own experience with colourism</a> especially as she grew up with a sister with a skin complexion much lighter than hers. Colourism has been spotlighted over the years especially in Hollywood where light-skinned Black actors reportedly get more roles but also across the world in the Black diaspora. A year after Nyong'o released <em>Sulwe</em>, British-Nigerian actress, <strong>Beverly Naya, </strong>released the <a href="https://www.okayafrica.com/netflix-nigeria-beverly-naya-skin-documentary/" target="_blank">Netflix documentary </a><em><a href="https://www.okayafrica.com/netflix-nigeria-beverly-naya-skin-documentary/">Skin</a> </em> which<strong> </strong>focused particularly on Nigeria's widespread skin bleaching practice.<br></p><p><div class="dfp_atf-slot" data-not-loaded="true"></div><script type="text/javascript">
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</script></p><p>Nyong'o also shared that despite shooting for <em>Black Panther 2</em>, she had been active in the theatre scene acting in the role of Juliet in the Spanish version of <em>Romeo and Juliet</em>.<em> Sulwe </em>is available now on <a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Sulwe-Audiobook/0593402057" target="_blank"><strong><em>Audible</em></strong></a>. </p>
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