Lupita Nyong'o Is No. 1 on People Magazine's Most Beautiful Women

This year just keeps getting better and better for Lupita Nyong'o.
The 31 year-old actress, who was virtually unknown when cast in Steve McQueen's '12 Years A Slave', has been prized with yet another accolade.

Nyong'o, who won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress at this year's Academy-Awards, is No.1 on People Magazine's Most Beautiful list.
While speaking to the celebrity magazine about the honor, she expressed hope that this would reach out to help young black women and make them feel "a little more seen".
"It was exciting and just a major, major compliment. I was [especially] happy for all the girls who would see me on [it] and feel a little more seen."

Nyong'o, who was born in Mexico and raised in Kenya, always thought beautiful people were the stars she used to watch on television, which showed no similarities to her.
The former production assistant viewed the concept of beauty as people with "light skin and long, flowing, straight hair," she said. "Subconsciously you start to appreciate those things more than what you possess."

The Yale graduate also recalled her mother, Dorothy, "always" telling her she was beautiful growing up, but Nyong'o "finally believed her at some point."

Lupita, who is now close friends with '12 Years' producer Brad Pitt, admitted the best complements are "when I have been called beautiful with not one drop of makeup on, and also before I comb my hair or put on a pretty dress. Happiness is the most important thing."

People magazine isn't the only establishment that has recognised her beauty, earlier this month Nyong'o was named the new face of French beauty brand Lancôme, joining the likes of Kate Winslet and Sandra Bullock.