Lupita Nyong'o has broken her silence on Chadwick Boseman’s passing

News of Chadwick Boseman’s death on August 28 has continued to rock the entertainment world and beyond. Tributes have steadily poured in for the leading man, who died last month at age 43 after a four-year battle with Stage 3 colon cancer. Fans around the world and those closest to Boseman have spoken publicly about the late actor's enduring impact and undeniable grace under pressure. Now Boseman’s Black Panther costar Lupita Nyong’o has taken on the Herculean task of putting into words what her late friend meant to her.On September 8, Nyong’o shared a joyful black and white picture of herself and Boseman laughing together. Opening the beautiful tribute with a description of her current mental state, Nyong’o acknowledged that she is understandably still reeling from the devastating news. "I write these words from a place of hopelessness, to honor a man who had great hope. I am struggling to think and speak about my friend, Chadwick Boseman, in the past tense. It doesn't make sense. The news of his passing is a punch to my gut every morning," wrote Nyong’o. "I am aware that we are all mortal, but you come across some people in life that possess a immortal energy, that seem like they have existed before, that are exactly where they are supposed to always be - here! ... that seem ageless.... Chadwick was one of those people."

 

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For the beloved #ChadwickBoseman. #TakeYourTimeButDontWasteYourTime

A post shared by Lupita Nyong'o (@lupitanyongo) on Sep 8, 2020 at 6:07am PDT

Continuing, Nyong’o wrote about Boseman’s innate ability to take his time while also making the most of his time. “You got the sense that he was fully present and also somehow fully aware of things in the distant future,” continued Nyong’o. “He was impeccable with his word. I never heard him complain – and there were definitely things to complain about! I think he understood the power of words and chose to manifest power through his word. He used his mouth to build, to edify, never to break.”The Oscar winner included some lighthearted memories in her tribute, including Boseman’s penchant for ‘lame dad jokes’ and his ability to reassure those around him with a steadying hand on their shoulder. Nyong’o also remembered how Boseman ‘loved, honored and respected’ his body, whether he was performing his own stunts or spending the night dancing. “It seems that it was life that gave up on Chadwick before Chadwick gave up on life,” wrote Nyong’o.[video_embed id='2026854']RELATED: Letitia Wright pens moving poem for Chadwick Boseman[/video_embed]Boseman leaves behind a legacy of some of the most iconic film roles of all time, including playing King T’Challa in Black Panther, Jackie Robinson in 42, Thurgood Marshall in Marshall and James Brown in Get On Up. Nyong’o touched on Boseman’s on-screen legacy and impactful work towards bringing diversity to the big screen, writing “He cared deeply about humanity, about Black people, about his people. He activated our pride. By pushing through and working with such purpose in the film he chose to commit to, Chadwick has made the infinite his home.”Bookending her emotional tribute with the theme of time, Nyong’o ended her celebration of life with a nod to Boseman’s wife, Taylor Simone Leward. “My deepest condolences to his family, friends and loving wife, Simone, from who I heard this phrase articulated so resonantly: Take Your Time But Don’t Waste Your Time.”Nyong’o attended a private memorial for Boseman on September 6 in Malibu, California. Organized by his family, Boseman’s memorial was reportedly attended by many of his Black Panther co-stars, including Nyong’o, Winston Duke, and Michael B. Jordan, who shared his own tribute for Boseman last week. Boseman’s Black Panther co-star Letitia Wright and director Ryan Coogler have also released their own touching tributes for the beloved actor.Boseman’s final film, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, which was produced by Denzel Washington and also stars Viola Davis, is expected to be released this year.[video_embed id='2026366']Before you go: Michael B. Jordan remembers his 'brother' Chadwick Boseman[/video_embed]