Colman Domingo Mocks 'Odyssey' Backlash With Hilarious 'Melania' Joke

Colman Domingo, while guest-hosting 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!', offered a humorous take on recent controversies surrounding the casting in 'The Odyssey'. The actor directly addressed criticism regarding Lupita Nyong'o's portrayal of Helen of Troy, a figure from Greek mythology. Domingo lightened the mood by humorously stating that Helen of Troy's existence is comparable to that of Harry Potter, thus not a historical figure whose casting would be bound by strict historical accuracy. He also playfully suggested that those displeased with the diverse casting choices in 'The Odyssey' might find a suitable alternative in the 'Melania' movie. Domingo described this suggested film as featuring an all-white cast and being 'cursed by the gods,' eliciting laughter and applause. Helen of Troy is noted as a mythological character, famous as 'the face that launched 1,000 ships,' whose abduction is credited with initiating the Trojan War, but she is not a documented historical personage. Nyong'o herself has previously expressed support for the director's vision and stated that the cast reflects the world, indicating she does not feel the need to defend her role against criticism.