It’s been four years since Lupita Nyong’o first crossed paths with the charismatic and talented Chadwick Boseman, but her admiration and affection for him continue to shine brightly, showcasing the enduring strength of their connection.
During the recent BFI London Film Festival, emotions ran high as Lupita Nyong’o was confronted with a clip from the 2018 blockbuster Black Panther, where she and Chadwick Boseman shared the screen. In a moment captured by PEOPLE, Nyong’o paused, visibly shaken, and expressed, “The grief is just the love with no place to put it, right?”
The intensity of the moment was so profound that Nyong’o chose to forego watching another clip, acknowledging that she couldn’t bear to delve deeper into the well of emotions that had been stirred. “You just live with it. That experience will never be separate from the love that was formed,” she shared poignantly at the festival.
Reflecting on the event, Nyong’o revealed that she has yet to bring herself to watch her on-screen collaboration with Boseman in the Marvel Cinematic Universe following his untimely passing in August 2020 at the age of 43, after a silent battle with colon cancer.
Speaking with raw honesty, Nyong’o confessed that each time she sees the clip, tears flow freely, and the pain of loss resurfaces with aching clarity, leaving her uncertain if she will ever find solace in his absence.
Despite the weight of her sorrow, Nyong’o remains resolute in finding solace in Boseman’s enduring presence on screen. In a heartfelt Instagram tribute marking the fourth anniversary of his passing, she shared a candid black-and-white snapshot of the beloved actor, accompanied by a poignant message: “Grief never ends. But it changes.”
In a touching gesture, Nyong’o also posted a vibrant picture of herself sharing a joyous moment with Boseman, cherishing the memories they created together. Recently, Nyong’o graced the silver screen in the movie A Quiet Place: Day One, embodying a character grappling with terminal illness alongside a stellar cast including Joseph Quinn, Alex Wolff, and Djimon Hounsou.
Through her words and actions, Lupita Nyong’o continues to honor the legacy of Chadwick Boseman, weaving a tapestry of love, loss, and resilience that resonates with audiences around the world.
