Tesla CEO Elon Musk ignited a firestorm after endorsing controversial criticism of Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o’s casting as Helen of Troy in Christopher Nolan’s upcoming film adaptation of The Odyssey, scheduled for July release.

The Casting Controversy

Director Christopher Nolan announced that Nyong’o, known for her role in 12 Years a Slave, will portray dual roles as Helen of Troy and her sister Clytemnestra in his adaptation of Homer’s ancient epic. The announcement triggered waves of online criticism focused on the actress’s appearance, with detractors claiming Helen of Troy, mythologically described as the world’s most beautiful woman, should be portrayed differently. Right-wing commentator Matt Walsh posted on X that no one considers Nyong’o the most beautiful woman globally, accusing Nolan of cowardice for avoiding what Walsh termed racial controversy in casting decisions.

Musk Weighs In

The 54-year-old billionaire responded to Walsh’s post with a single word: True. His endorsement prompted immediate backlash across social media platforms, with users accusing Musk of promoting racist ideology. One user wrote that the comment represented open racism, while another questioned how anyone could deny Nyong’o’s status as one of the most beautiful people alive. A third commenter suggested that racial bias prevents some individuals from appreciating beauty outside traditional European standards. Nyong’o declined to comment when contacted by The Independent regarding the controversy surrounding her casting.

Pattern of Criticism

This marks the second time Musk has publicly criticized Nolan’s casting choices for The Odyssey. In February, he claimed the two-time Oscar-winning director lost his integrity over Nyong’o’s selection. Musk also shared multiple posts questioning Nolan’s decision to cast Elliot Page, rumored to play Achilles. The Tesla CEO, who remains estranged from his transgender daughter Vivian Jenna Wilson, reposted several posts targeting Page, who publicly came out as transgender in December 2020. The ongoing debate highlights tensions between traditional interpretations of classical mythology and modern casting approaches that prioritize talent over historically inaccurate racial expectations for ancient Greek characters.