Chiwetel Ejiofor’s Sister, Zain Asher Of CNN, Cries On Air After Learning Of His Oscar Nomination [Video]

CNN reporter Zain Asher, who is also Chiwetel Ejiofor’s sister, cried live on air after she learnt that her brother had been nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor because of his portrayal in 12 Years a Slave.

Asher, who works as a financial reporter for CNN, became overwhelmed as she discussed how hard her brother has worked in the profession.

She told CNN host, Carol Costello, “This is a day my family has been hoping and waiting for for such a long time. He’s been acting since he was thirteen years old, and he’s worked so hard for this.”

Asher then started to describe how Chiwetel would spend hours reciting lines from Shakespeare’s works in his bedroom. This then evoked a flood of tears, as she remarked,”Chiwetel, he’s been acting since he was 13 years old and, oh my god! I told myself I wasn’t going to cry. I do feel so emotional now.”

She then started to both blubber and laugh, before adding, “He’s someone who’s really dedicated and an actor’s actor. He’s been acting for over 20 years, and so to finally see recognition for his work – I can’t even describe the feeling.”

The 36-year-old actor honed and perfected his skills while working on a number of box office hits, which have included American Gangster and Love Actually. However his turn in 12 Years A Slave has earned a myriad of plaudits, and critics and viewers have been clambering over each other to praise his performance as Solomon Northup.

Asher continued, “There’s so many amazing actors and so he’s in good company. I wasn’t really sure when I was watching the nominations what was going to happen.”

Ejiofor is nominated alongside American Hustle’s Christian Bale, Nebraska’s Bruce Dern, The Wolf Of Wall Street’s Leonardo DiCaprio and Dallas Buyers Club’s Matthew McConaughey. McConaughey won the best acting accolade at the Golden Globes on Sunday.

Ejiofor, who is currently getting over an illness, released a statement after he learnt of his nomination, which read, “At no point during filming, in the sweltering heat of New Orleans, did any of us ever foresee the journey this film would take us all on. Steve McQueen created an entire family to tell one man’s tale and I am delighted that so many of this family have also been recognized today. I am hugely grateful to the Academy for this great honour, and, of course, to Solomon Northup for sharing his story through his breathtaking book.”