Lupita Nyong’o might just be the epitome of #BlackGirlMagic. The Mexican-Kenyan actress and film director has stolen the hearts of many in the film industry, black community and of course, the fashion industry with her impeccable style and beautiful chocolate skin!
Lupita stirred up a huge controversy when she stated she was Afro-Latina, but she was indeed born in Mexico, although later raised in Kenya. She came to the United States to attend college (Hampshire College), and later returned for her master’s degree, which she would receive in Acting from the Yale School of Drama.
Although she made her acting debut in 2008 with the short film East River, many of us would come to know her four years later when she would have her first feature role in the historical drama, Twelve Years A Slave. It would be her amazing performance in the movie that would win her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, and would push her into the spotlight of the film industry and the fashion world.
She is the first African to win the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, as well as the first Kenyan actress to win an Oscar and the first Mexican to win the award. Go girl!
Nyong’o has recently made headlines again, this time for her co-starring role in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, currently playing in theatres; she’s already confirmed playing her role again in the next Star Wars movie, set to come out in 2017.
However, Lupita is not simply a celebrity. In 2014, she was named “The Most Beautiful Woman” by People and “Woman of the Year” by Glamour. That same year, she was chosen as one of the faces for Miu Miu’s spring campaign; she has appeared on the covers of many fashion magazines, including Vogue. She is also the newest face to the Lancome brand.
She is also a social activist back in her homeland of Kenya, where she has partnered with the international conservation organization WildAid to help elephants; while also advocating for women’s issues acting and the arts in Kenya. She even has a day named after her (October 20th in Harlem, FYI).
While she may be all of these things, she has definitely carved out a space for herself as a style icon of the 21st century. We can not deny her style is sharp, impeccable, and complimentary of her complexion and shape. Even when she stirs controversy with her style choices, she is dynamite in standing by her choices and looks fabulous along the way. Let’s check out just 25 times she beautifully showed us that #BlackGirlMagic.