Black Panther’s Danai Gurira Is as Badass in Real Life as She Is on Screen
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Danai Gurira is a woman on a mission. In between playing everyone's favorite zombie slayer, Michonne, on The Walking Dead, and a kick-ass bodyguard named Okoye in Marvel's Black Panther, Danai often lends her voice to raising awareness for women's equality around the globe. In fact, her first name originates from Zimbabwe and fittingly means "to love each other." The 40-year-old actress has been leading by example using her expanding platform to promote activism both on and off the stage. Keep reading to see seven reasons why Danai Gurira should be your celebrity crush (if she isn't already).
She's a Broadway Playwright
Not only is Danai a talented actress, but she's also a great storyteller. In 2015, Danai's play, Eclipsed debuted on Broadway. The show follows a group of five women through the challenges they encounter during the second Liberian civil war in 2003. The success of the play garnered six nominations at the 2016 Tony awards, including one for best play. Eclipsed is also the first Broadway play to ever have a female writer, director, and all-female cast.
She's Best Friends With Lupita Nyong'o
Lupita Nyong'o reached out to Danai to play the role of one of the lead characters in Eclipsed after learning about the historical project in college. The two actresses met back in 2007 and often refers to their close friendship as a "sisterhood."
She's a Part of Marvel's Black Panther Cast
At 2016's Comic-Con event in San Diego, the cast of Marvel's Black Panther was revealed. Danai Gurira joined other recognizable faces, such as Michael B. Jordan (Creed), Chadwick Boseman (Captain America: Civil War), and Lupita Nyong'o for the first installment of the film's franchise.
She's an Activist For Important Causes
Danai continues to speak out against inequality towards women. She created a website to bring awareness to the issues women face around the world. Whether it's sexual abuse or receiving a decent education, Danai says she hopes that fans of her work will "figure out how to help eradicate the issue" in whatever capacity they can.
She Has an Honorary Doctorate
As a graduate of Macalester College in Saint Paul, Minnesota, Danai had the honor of receiving an honorary doctorate and delivering the 2016 commencement speech to her alma mater.
She Speaks Four Languages
Count it: English, French, Shona (Zimbabwe), and basic Xhosa (South Africa, Lesotho). That's how many languages Danai is able to communicate in. Talk about a quadruple threat!
She Was Hired the Same Day She Auditioned For The Walking Dead
Danai has been portraying Michonne on AMC's hit series, The Walking Dead, since 2012, but her role on the show almost didn't happen. "I was praying so hard — and out loud — that I could get one more shot in that room and show them all I could do," the actress recalled about her rocky audition. Luckily, she was given another chance by the casting director. "I went back in and had a really awesome artistic experience." It wasn't short after she arrived back home that day when she was notified that she had landed the role fans have come to know and love her for.