Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong'o has been named the new face of French cosmetics giant Lancome.

 

Oscar Winner Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong'o

The Kenyan star, who shot to fame in the film 12 Years a Slave, is Lancome's first black ambassador.
It is the 31-year-old's first major endorsement, and she joins Julia Roberts, Kate Winslet, and Penelope Cruz as promoters of the brand.

Lancome advertisements featuring Lupita are due start appearing this summer. 

'Unique vision'

The actress said in a statement released by the French company: "I am truly honoured to join the Maison Lancôme, a brand with such a prestigious history that I have always loved. 

"I am particularly proud to represent its unique vision for women and the idea that beauty should not be dictated, but should instead be an expression of a woman's freedom to be herself." 

She received an Academy Award this year in the category of Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Patsey in the Steve McQueen-directed film.

She is the fourth Academy Award-winning Lancome ambassador.

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Kenyan alpha actress Lupita Nyong'o became the first African to win an Oscar award at the 86th Annual Academy Awards. She won the award for her role in Steve McQueen's film, 12 Years A Slave, where she featured as Patsey. Below is her Acceptance Speech:

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Mexican-born Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong'o has scoopped the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the movie 12 Years A Slave in the 86th annual Academy Awards. Lupita Nyong'o hit the Oscar red carpet in a custom Prada goddess look of ice-blue silk georgette gown with a deep V-neck top and low cut sides. The colour was immediately described by multiple broadcasting houses as 'Nairobi Blue' after the  Lupita herself said, " It's a blue that reminds me of Nairobi, and so I wanted to have a little bit of home. #Nairobiblue instantly started trending on twitter worldwide in recognition of the charismatic and media-loved actress.

Lupita Nyong'o on the Red Carpet in the now famous 'Nairobi Blue' custom Prada dress

Lupita stars in the movie 12 Years A Slave, directed by Steve McQueen, as Patsey, her first film acting role. Her most memorable scene was the one in which she receives a lashing for wanting to wash with soap. To scoop the award, Lupita, who was born in Mexico and brought up in Kenya, had to floor a field of reputed actresses including Jeniffer Lawrence for American Hustle, Julia Roberts for August:Osage County, June Squibb for Nebraska and Sally Hawkins for Blue Jasmine.

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