Whoopi Goldberg Defends Lupita Nyong’o After Backlash Over Helen of Troy Casting Rumors

Lupita Nyong’o found herself at the center of an online firestorm. Rumors surfaced that she could be cast as Helen of Troy in The Odyssey. While no official casting announcement has been made, the speculation alone sparked heated debate across social media. Critics questioned the choice, and supporters pushed back against what they viewed as racially-charged backlash. Here’s how Whoopi Goldberg is now defending Nyong’o in light of the criticism.

Whoopi Goldberg defended Lupita Nyong’o after casting rumors suggested the Oscar-winning actress would play Helen of Troy

Elon Musk sparked renewed debate in February 2026. He weighed in on social media about the rumored casting of Lupita Nyong’o as Helen of Troy in director Christopher Nolan’s upcoming adaptation of The Odyssey. Replying to a post on X, Musk wrote that Nolan “has lost his integrity” over the casting choice. Traditionally, Helen of Troy was reportedly described as “fair‑skinned and blonde” in Greek texts. Musk argued that such casting choices made the story “incoherent” and were an “insult” to the source material.

Whoopi Goldberg weighed in on Nyong’o’s rumored casting during The View on Feb. 3, 2026.

“Musk claims that Nolan has ‘lost his integrity,’ you know, because Homer described this fictional character as a fair-skinned blonde who was so beautiful that men started a war over her,” Goldberg said on the show, according to People. “I don’t know if you realize this: Lupita is also considered one of the world’s most beautiful women. So, I’m not sure what you’re trying to say. You don’t have to actually go to the movie. I don’t know why you feel like you need to speak on this.”

Goldberg then suggested that Musk “look in the mirror” if he has “concerns” over how others look. “And don’t bother to try to clown me, baby — I know what I look like,” she continued. “There’s so many things I want to say to you that are rude and awful, but I won’t do it. But know that I’m thinking it!”

Fans are on Whoopi Goldberg’s side following the dispute

Those keeping up with the dispute over Lupita Nyong’o potentially playing Helen of Troy are on Whoopi Goldberg’s side.

“Helen of Troy was birthed from an egg her mother laid after she slept with Zeus in the form of a bird,” a fan on Reddit pointed out. “She could literally look like anyone so long as she has ‘the face that launched a thousand ships,’ and like, HELLO???”

“Lupita is quite literally one of the most beautiful women living right now,” another fan pointed out, adding to the conversation that she’d be perfect for the role.

“Just noting that one of the most famous Helens in all of Cinema history, Rossana Podesta, was born in Libya, was a lifelong environmental activist, and starred in anti-fascist movies,” another fan wrote.

Lupita Nyong’o previously discussed the roles she was often offered following her Oscar win

Lupita Nyong’o’s breakthrough moment on the world stage came at the 86th Academy Awards in 2014. She won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her powerful portrayal of Patsey in 12 Years a Slave. Her performance, widely praised by critics, marked a series of historic firsts. She became the first Kenyan and first Mexican‑born actress to win an Academy Award. She’s also one of only a handful of Black actresses to receive that honor in the category.

Following her success, Nyong’o discussed the limited roles she was offered. “My winning an Academy Award came at the very start of my career. It was for the very first film that I had done,” she said, according to an interview clip posted to Reddit. “So, it really did set the pace for everything I’ve done since. But, you know what’s interesting is that after I won that Academy Award, you think, oh, I’m going to get lead roles here and there. ‘Oh, Lupita, we’d like you to play another movie where you’re a slave, but this time, you’re on a slave ship!’ Those are the kinds of offers I was getting in the months after winning my Academy Award.”

The actress added that she hopes to be a “joyful warrior in changing the paradigms of what it means to be African.”