Tom Holland recently earned bragging rights over Lupita Nyong’o after England knocked Mexico out of the World Cup.
The two Hollywood stars had backed opposing sides before the clash, with Holland posing with an England shirt while Nyong’o held up Mexico’s jersey.
The viral moment came during a London photocall for Christopher Nolan’s upcoming film, “The Odyssey,” where they both star.
Tom Holland appears to have bragging rights over his “The Odyssey” co-star Lupita Nyong’o after England ended Mexico’s World Cup run.
In the build-up to the clash, the pair delighted fans during a promotional photo call for Nolan’s much-anticipated film, with Nyong’o backing Mexico with a green jersey while Holland proudly held up England’s shirt.
Holland’s English roots are well known, while Nyong’o was born in Mexico City to Kenyan parents and has long identified as Kenyan-Mexican.
On the pitch, England backed up Holland’s pick by beating Mexico 3-2 in a dramatic knockout clash at the Azteca Stadium. Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham struck twice in quick succession before Mexico pulled one back, and although England were reduced to 10 men after Jarell Quansah’s red card, Harry Kane’s penalty proved decisive as the Three Lions held on to end Mexico’s run.
Lupita Nyong’o’s Mexico Ties Run Deep
Nyong’o has often spoken about Mexico as a core part of her identity, with Yale noting that she holds dual Kenyan and Mexican citizenship.
The future Academy Award winner was born in Mexico City in 1983 to Kenyan parents, Dorothy and Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o, while her family was living outside the East African nation. Her name also reflects that story, as “Lupita” is a Spanish diminutive of Guadalupe.
Although she was raised mainly in Kenya, Nyong’o later returned to Mexico as a teenager to study Spanish, spending several months there and strengthening a cultural link that has followed her throughout her career.
That background has also surfaced on screen, most notably in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” where she spoke Spanish as Nakia and later described the moment as a meaningful gift tied to her Mexican heritage.
Tom Holland And Lupita Nyong’o Were Attending ‘The Odyssey’ Photocall
The England-Mexico jersey moment between Holland and Nyong’o unfolded in London, where the actors were attending a photocall for Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey.” For the event, the cast gathered at Savoy Place on July 5 as part of the film’s promotional rollout.
The event brought out several of the movie’s big names, including Tom Holland, Lupita Nyong’o, Zendaya, Anne Hathaway, Matt Damon, Robert Pattinson, Benny Safdie, John Leguizamo, Himesh Patel, Samantha Morton, Nolan, and producer Emma Thomas.
While the photocall was mainly designed to spotlight the upcoming Homer-inspired epic, it also took on a World Cup twist when two of its most prominent cast members posed in customized football shirts tied to their characters. Holland, who plays Telemachus, was seen with a No. 10 shirt bearing his character’s name, while Nyong’o, who plays Helen of Troy and Clytemnestra, held a No. 5 “Helen” jersey.
Elon Musk Mocked Nyong’o’s Casting In ‘The Odyssey’
Elon Musk was one of the loudest critics of Nyong’o’s casting in Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey,” taking issue with her role as Helen of Troy.
Musk claimed Nolan had “lost his integrity” by casting the Oscar-winning actress. The Independent reported that his comments had sparked accusations of racism after he questioned Nyong’o’s suitability for the role of the mythological beauty.
The tech mogul’s criticism was part of a wider online backlash against Nolan’s diverse casting choices, with many objecting to Nyong’o’s portrayals of Helen and Clytemnestra in the classic Greek epic.
Lupita Nyong’o Has No Time For Her ‘Odyssey’ Critics
Nyong’o is not spending her time crafting a defense against critics of her casting in “The Odyssey,” however.
After the criticism that followed the announcement that she would play Helen of Troy and her half-sister, Clytemnestra, the actress appeared to brush off the backlash by reminding the naysayers that “this is a mythological story.”
In an interview with ELLE, she also defended Nolan’s broader vision for the film, saying she supports “Chris’s intention” and the version of the story he is telling.
Nyong’o made it clear she is not interested in debating those opposed to her casting, adding that “the criticism will exist whether I engage with it or not.” Instead, she described the project as part of “the epic narrative of our time.”
