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Lupita Nyong’o Named Most Beautiful (And Stylish) Woman Of 2014

By Patricia Didelot
Published on: 08:31 PST, Apr 23, 2014

Lupita Nyong’o rose to fame with her portrayal of the slave Patsey in Steve McQueen’s 12 Years A Slave and brought tears to our eyes when she received the Oscar for her performance. Now she is being recognized as the Most Beautiful and Stylish Woman in 2014 by People magazine.

There is no question that Lupita is a beautiful woman, as such she was recently named the face of Lancôme Paris, with which she landed a very lucrative contract.

But for the 31-year-old Kenyan-Mexican actress, this is something she never believed would happen to her, much less appear in the cover of a magazine that is read by millions all over the world:

“It was exciting and just a major, major compliment. I was happy for all the girls who would see me on (it) and feel a little more seen.”

With her flawless skin, brilliant smile, and elegant sense of style, Lupita Nyong’o became one of the most recognizable celebrities at any red carpet event in the past year.

But Lupita is not your traditional beauty, born to a Kenyan father and Mexican mother, hers is a very unique look that she didn’t readily embrace growing up and looking at magazine covers such as People:

“Light skin and long, flowing, straight hair. Subconsciously you start to appreciate those things more than what you possess.”

Her mom Dorothy — the managing director and head of PR for the Africa Cancer Foundation — “always said I was beautiful,” Lupita says. “And I finally believed her at some point.”

Lupita was never one to go with the flow, so when she was a teen, she dyed her hair every possible color, except blonde, and even shaved her head at some point during those rebellious years.

“It was very strange and very cold!” Nyong’o recalls, laughing. “It was scary but I like to dare myself.”

Just like any other woman Lupita says that the best compliments come when she is less than presentable, wearing no make-up and without her hair combed:

“…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.”

Nobody has to tell Lupita Nyong’o she is beautiful anymore, People magazine crowned her as such.

[Image via Jaguar PS / Shutterstock.com]

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