I discovered that joy is not the negation of pain, but rather acknowledging the presence of pain and feeling happiness in spite of it.

Human beings have an instinct for freedom.

I grew up in Nairobi, which is the capital of Kenya, so it's hustle and bustle, and there's always something going on.

Everyone said, ‘Brace yourself, Lupita! Keep a granola bar in that clutch of yours!’ I didn’t really understand what they meant, and it was only once it was past that I realized that my body had been holding on by a thread to get through this very intense experience. Nothing can prepare you for awards season. The red carpet feels like a war zone, except you cannot fly or fight; you just have to stand there and take it.

To this day, I love eating steak tacos before going to the red carpets.

I'm pretty awesome at making salad dressings.

I think beauty is an expression of love.