Lupita Nyong’O Still Battles the Ghost of Ashley
After Black Panther‘s bright star, Chadwick Boseman, tragically passed away in August last year, Lupita Nyong’O has been grappling with how to honor him—without haunting the past with too many “he’s gone” vibes.
A Touch of Hollywood Emotion
When Chadwick first joined the set, Lupita remembers him as all fire and humility:
- Passion – He poured his whole being into every scene.
- Charisma – His presence could light up an entire room.
- Leadership – He was the kind of guy who naturally took the helm.
He was more than a role; he was a friend. That’s why the thought of referencing him in the past tense feels like a cold, hard punch.
Between the Lines of Tribute
Lupita has made it clear she doesn’t want to let his memory fade—she wants the story to keep moving, under the guidance of Ryan Coogler.
On The Ellen DeGeneres Show she voiced that Chadwick would have wanted the crew to carry on:
”I know, without a doubt, that he’d want us to press forward. Ryan has planned something that really pays homage to the legacy he leaves behind. I feel good about returning.”
A Few Moments of Honesty
Back before filming resumed, Lupita posted a heartfelt message:
“I’m from a place of hopelessness, yet I’m trying to honor a man who gave so much hope. Thinking and speaking of Chadwick in the past tense feels wrong—every day he hits me with that reality.”
“Our mortality is a constant in life, yet some souls feel forever alive. Chadwick was one of them.”
Why the Reaction Feels So Live‑Again
Chadwick’s spirit radiated immortal energy—the kind that doesn’t age. When Lupita talks about him, she says:
“He seemed like he existed before anything: timeless, a part of Every story anyway just done.”
Those words remind us we’re all human, but we’re not as separate as we might think.
For Lupita and everyone who watched the Black Panther series, Chadwick’s loss is a punch to the gut that keeps coming, day after day, but his legacy is alive, bright, and still part of the story—just in a different light.
