Lupita Nyong'o's Intimate Secret Revealed: Her Tony Awards Breastplate Was Made From a Cast of Her Body

Lupita Nyong’o at the 76th Annual Tony Awards AFF-USA/Shutterstock

At the 2023 Tony Awards, Lupita Nyong'o made a bold statement by proudly displaying her body. The actress turned heads on the red carpet with a metallic breastplate that was designed by Misha Japanwala. The breastplate featured a realistic molding of Nyong'o's chest, which added an eye-catching touch to her ensemble. She completed the look with a black blazer that was tailored to perfection and a pair of high-waisted trousers that had a flared hem.

Via her Instagram account, the actress from Mexico City shared her thoughts on her fashion statement, describing it as an unabashed and liberating experience. In a series of pictures, she proudly displayed the breastplate crafted by Pakistani artist and fashion designer, Misha Japanwala. The breastplate was molded directly from Nyong'o's body, leaving her feeling honored, humbled, strengthened, and energized. Japanwala's work revolves around rejecting and dismantling societal pressures and taboos related to body image.

Lupita Nyong’o at the 76th Annual Tony Awards Kristin Callahan/Shutterstock

In her creative process, Japanwala captures the essence of a person's body through a genuine and authentic lens, celebrating the beauty of existence and advocating for the freedom to occupy our bodies without constraint. As Japanwala herself explains, the term "beghairat" (meaning shameless) has been used by many to belittle and discourage her work, but by embracing the word and rejecting the societal pressures to conform to narrow definitions of shame, she has discovered the power of living without shame. Japanwala's approach to her craft involves preserving the unaltered reality of the human form, allowing bodies to simply be and embracing their inherent beauty. Nyong'o commends Japanwala for inspiring her to practice self-love and appreciate the beauty of her own body. "Misha, thank you for giving me the opportunity to fully embrace and love my body just as it is."

Nyong’o has a history of blending fashion and art seamlessly, as evidenced by her recent display of cultural appreciation at the opening of Monsoon Wedding Musical. Her newly shaved head was adorned with henna in a nod to South Asian customs, showcasing her commitment to honoring diverse cultures through her fashion choices.

Nyong'o shared a personal account of her journey to adorn her head with intricate henna art on Instagram. She discovered the talented tattooist Sabeen at a wedding in Pakistan where she was captivated by the beauty and intricacy of her henna designs. Determined to work with her one day, Nyong'o later collaborated with Sabeen to transform her head into a stunning canvas. The actress encourages others to seek out beauty in new ways and to dare themselves to take chances.