Hollywood star Lupita Nyong’o has revealed that her connection to East Africa isn’t the only thing she shares with Zohran Mamdani, the man tipped to become New York City’s next mayor.
The Kenyan actress said she voted for Mamdani, a Ugandan-born politician and the Democratic Party’s candidate in the ongoing high-stakes mayoral election in America’s largest city.
Her support, she explained, stems from having worked with him on past film projects, experiences through which she came to appreciate his leadership qualities.
“The qualities that made Zohran an exceptional leader in my experience with him on set translate powerfully to the political career he’s established,” Lupita said in an Instagram post. “I strongly believe that Zohran Mamdani possesses the personality, skill, and temperament to be an excellent mayor of New York City. It was an honour to cast my vote for him.”
Lupita said her story with Mamdani dates back 20 years, when she interned at his mother’s production company, Mirabai Films, known for movies such as Mississippi Masala (1991).
Although he was just 14 at the time, the actress recalls being struck by his warmth and respectful nature.
“There were no airs about him. No trace of entitlement. He was down-to-earth and comfortable in his own skin,” she said.
Zohran Mamdani speaks at a primary election watch party for his New York City mayoral bid in New York City, US on June 25, 2025.
Photo credit: Reuters
The two later worked together on the 2016 film Queen of Katwe , set in Kampala, in which Lupita starred alongside British actor David Oyelowo, while Mamdani served as assistant director under his mother, acclaimed filmmaker Mira Nair.
Lupita says Mamdani’s time in film production helped shape the leadership qualities he now brings into politics. “As an assistant director, he proved nimble, resourceful, and adept at navigating both American and Ugandan set cultures.”
“Whether on our film set or in politics, Zohran has always been an incredibly talented and productive person. When he told me he was running for State Assembly in Queens, I wasn’t surprised, I was impressed,” she said.
Lupita, whose father is a long-serving Kenyan politician and current Governor of her hometown Kisumu, said she understood how challenging and thankless a political career could be, but believes Mamdani is built for it.
Actress Lupita Nyong'o.
Photo credit: File
Born in 1991 in Kampala to Ugandan academic Mahmood Mamdani and Indian-American filmmaker Mira Nair, Zohran’s family moved to South Africa, and then to the United States, settling in New York City when he was seven.
He was elected to the New York State Assembly in 2020, representing the Queens neighbourhood since January 2021. He is currently running for mayor against Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa and independent contender Andrew Cuomo.
On Monday, polls showed Mamdani leading with 46.1 percent, followed by Cuomo with 31.8 percent, while Sliwa trails at 16 percent.
