Confirmed! Lupita Nyong’o Gets Film Rights to Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s “Americanah”

Academy Award winning Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong’o optioned and got the film rights to Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie‘s latest novel – Americanah.

In an interview with Lola Ogunnaike on Arise Entertainment in March 2014, the Nigerian author hinted that she will be working with Lupita. She said Lupita read Americanah, loved it and “will be making an announcement soon” – watch it here.

Today at Stylist Magazine‘s Stylist Book Club Inaugural Session held at the Waldorf Hilton in UK, she shared the big news.

Signing Copies of Americanah

At the event, Chimamanda rocked a pretty white dress and shared some inspiring words
Quotes from the Stylist Magazine session

1. I see my characters as humans – I don’t judge them as I leave my readers to do that
2. I listen to conversations and I watch people at airports to pick up ideas for characters
3. ..I keep notes, I don’t mind my own business ever!
4. strong women aren’t remarkable to me they are the norm. I’m always surrounded by strong women
5. I usually have an idea of where a novel will go but I don’t always know what the end will be
6. I started writing Americanah because I felt compelled. I was emotionally attached to it
7. Barack Obama is a game changer he’s different to those in office before him, he’s thoughtful
8. My writing advice is read read read: you don’t have to like what you read but it demystifies writing
9. tell the truth in your writing even if it means people aren’t going to like it
10. I am a big fan of Barack Obama but an even bigger fan of Michelle Obama
11. Writing has texture to it: you need to pick up on real, human details to bring a story to life
12. I wanted to write about depression in Americanah because it’s not discussed a lot although lots of people suffer from it
13. Feminism isn’t an exclusive party – people should be allowed to define it for themselves
14. My 11yr niece now sees herself as a feminist because of Beyonce’s song sampling my TED talk
15. I know women who are brilliant, fierce & alive in the world but they made bad choices about men
16. If you are finding the writing process tough, take a break and eat some chocolate
17. The reader I write for is me. It keeps me honest as I don’t try to pander to anyone’s view
18. Immigration is a thorny issue but I’m interested in the way it strips away human dignity

This will be Chimamanda’s second book adapted on the big screen. Her second novel – Half of a Yellow Sun is out in cinemas worldwide, except Nigeria.