Lupita Nyong’o in De Beers diamonds at Wakanda Forever premiere

By Kim Parker

Lupita Nyong’o positively glowed last night, as she attended the global premiere of the long-awaited Marvel film, Wakanda Forever, at Los Angeles’ Dolby Theatre.

The Oscar-winning actor, who plays Nakia in the sequel to 2018’s Black Panther, looked every inch the silver screen goddess in a knotted white one-shoulder gown by Balmain, accessorised with a shell crown and a shimmering suite of natural white diamonds from De Beers, for which she is an official ambassador.

Amongst the selection Lupita chose was a dazzling cocktail ‘boule’ ring from De Beers’ Talisman collection, which juxtaposes polished diamonds with colourful uncut gems, for a cool contrast. She also wore several of the brand’s classic Diamond Line bracelets, and eternity rings set with round-cut brilliants.

The emotional evening also saw the film’s stars paying their own unique tributes to Black Panther actor, Chadwick Boseman, who sadly passed away in 2020. His co-star Letitia Wright, who plays the Black Panther’s younger sister Shuri, donned a sparkling Alexander McQueen suit, reminiscent of the embellished Givenchy look sported by Boseman at the 2018 Academy Awards ceremony. Fittingly, she added extra shimmer with Cartier’s Panthere jewellery. Ryan Coogler, the film’s director, chose to wear all white to ‘honour and celebrate’ Boseman, and sported a pendant engraved with the actor’s image around his neck.

Rihanna sent a flurry of excitement into the crowd, both with her appearance in a Rick Owens gown and elaborate ‘Ruban’ earrings by Reza Jewellery, and with the announcement that her lead single from the Wakanda Forever soundtrack would be her first solo material in six years.

It wasn’t all about De Beers, though. British jewellers also got a look in on the red carpet last night, as actor Michaela Cole flew the flag wearing a rose gold diamond and enamel ring by Thelma West. It was a piece she had also previously worn on The Tonight Show, with Jimmy Fallon.

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