Lupita Nyong'o Used to Braid Hair to Stay Awake in Class

Racked is no longer publishing. Thank you to everyone who read our work over the years. The archives will remain available here; for new stories, head over to Vox.com, where our staff is covering consumer culture for The Goods by Vox. You can also see what we’re up to by signing up here.

Achieve BFF status with Lupita Nyong'o and the girl will braid your hair. Vogue filmed the actress and cover star braiding her friends' hair while reminiscing about the days when she tried to make braiding a side hustle but couldn't end up charging because she is an angel in disguise. Instead, she braided for free on the weekends and in class in an effort to stay awake during lectures.

She also had some tips on what she looks for in friends, in case anyone is ever up for consideration. "I think I'm just attracted to people who are honest and expressive," Nyong'o told Vogue. "I like playful people as well, people who are not afraid of their inner child."
· Lupita Nyong'o Stars in "Braids" [Vogue]
· The Lupita Nyong'o Vogue Cover You've Been Pining For is Here! [Racked]
· Be the Classiest Person at a Polo Match: a Lupita Tutorial [Racked]