Lupita Nyong’o Shares ‘Scary’ Experience With Scurvy After Teen Move to Mexico
Lupita Nyong’o, the acclaimed actress known for her roles in “Black Panther” and “12 Years a Slave,” recently opened up about a terrifying health scare she experienced as a teenager. During an appearance on “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” Nyong’o revealed that she once suffered from scurvy, a disease commonly associated with sailors and pirates from centuries past.
Nyong’o, who was born in Mexico to Kenyan parents, moved back to Mexico at the age of 16 to learn Spanish. This was her first time living on her own, and she had to quickly adapt to adult responsibilities such as paying bills, cooking, and maintaining a nutritious diet. Unfortunately, the latter proved to be a significant challenge for the young actress.
“I had to cook for myself, and I went for so long without eating essential things like vitamin C,” Nyong’o shared with Clarkson. “I’m pretty sure I got scurvy at some point. My gums started separating from my teeth. They were bloody.”
Scurvy is a rare condition caused by a deficiency of vitamin C, which is vital for the body because it helps in the production of collagen. Collagen is a type of protein found in various tissues, including skin, blood vessels, bones, and cartilage. Without sufficient vitamin C, collagen cannot be replaced, leading to symptoms such as muscle and joint pain, tiredness, red dots on the skin, and bleeding gums.
Nyong’o described the experience as “really scary” but admitted that she was too frightened to seek medical help. Instead, she turned to her own knowledge and diagnosed herself. “I learned about scurvy because in the Second World War, the Navy in America had contracted scurvy, and I learned that in school,” she explained.
Determined to cure herself, Nyong’o decided to take matters into her own hands. “The cure was to drink orange juice, so I went to the market and bought a whole bunch of orange juice,” she said. “I think I diagnosed myself and cured myself.”
Despite this frightening ordeal, Nyong’o’s time in Mexico was not entirely negative. Over the years, she has proudly embraced her dual heritage, often speaking about her love for both Kenyan and Mexican cultures. “I’m Mexican and Kenyan at the same time. I’ve seen the quarrels over my nationality, but I’m Kenyan and Mexican at the same time,” she told People magazine in 2018. “So again, I am Mexican-Kenyan and I am fascinated by carne asada tacos.”
Nyong’o’s story serves as a reminder of the importance of a balanced diet, especially for young people living on their own for the first time. Scurvy, though rare in modern times, can still occur if one’s diet lacks sufficient vitamin C. Common foods that help prevent scurvy include oranges, strawberries, and broccoli. Overcooking vegetables can destroy the nutrient, so it’s essential to consume fresh produce regularly.
Born in Mexico and raised in Kenya, Nyong’o returned to Mexico as a teenager for seven months to learn Spanish before moving to Nairobi to study for a diploma. She later moved to the United States, where she graduated from Hampshire College with a degree in film and theatre studies. Her breakthrough role came in Steve McQueen’s historical drama “12 Years a Slave,” which won her the Best Supporting Actress Oscar in 2014.
Nyong’o’s appearance on “The Kelly Clarkson Show” was part of the promotional tour for her new film, “A Quiet Place: Day One.” The movie, a prequel to the 2018 hit “A Quiet Place,” is set in New York City, which comes under attack from an alien invasion. The film follows a woman and other survivors as they try to find a way to safety. Nyong’o stars alongside Joseph Quinn, Alex Wolff, and Djimon Hounsou.
Teasing the film, Nyong’o told Clarkson, “We thought it was really an innovative way to tell a story, to make everyone quiet and to make sounds like the enemy. The stakes are so high. It was really fun to get into this, and it’s a different sort of story. Definitely expanding with this universe can do to come up with this story, and I’m really looking forward to people seeing it.”
“A Quiet Place: Day One” hits cinemas across the country on June 27.
Nyong’o’s candid revelation about her battle with scurvy highlights the resilience and resourcefulness she has shown throughout her life and career. Her story is a powerful reminder of the importance of self-care and the need to seek help when facing health challenges.
Source: The Kelly Clarkson Show, People Magazine
