Ever since taking home an Oscar for her feature film debut in 12 Years A Slave, Lupita Nyong’o has been making waves in Hollywood for her talent, style and beauty.
Ever since taking home an Oscar for her feature film debut in 12 Years A Slave, Lupita Nyong’o has been making waves in Hollywood for her talent, style and beauty.
Born in Mexico and raised in Kenya, she gained her degree in the US and soon after landed her breakout role in Steve McQueen’s acclaimed historical drama.
During the awards season, Lupita stunned on the red carpet as much as she did on the silver screen, which has now been recognised by People magazine naming her their Most Beautiful Person of 2014.
“It was exciting and just a major, major compliment,” Lupita said of receiving the honour previously bestowed on the likes of Jennifer Lopez and Julia Roberts. “I was happy for all the girls who would see me on it and feel a little more seen.”
Lupita herself didn’t always feel attractive.
The 31-year-old, who now has a contract with French cosmetics house Lancome Paris, says her first impressions of beauty were Caucasian women she saw on TV as a young girl.
“Light skin and long, flowing, straight hair,” she said. “Subconsciously, you start to appreciate those things more than what you possess.”
But Lupita said that her mother Dorothy, who heads up the Africa Cancer Foundation, always told her she was beautiful.
“And I finally believed her at some point,” she added.