Lupita Nyong’o Named People’s Most Beautiful Woman!

Gwyneth Paltrow might have won the award last year, but Lupita Nyong’o can put on the crown for 2014. The 31-year-old actress has been named People magazine’s most beautiful woman in the world.

The Oscar winner is quickly making a name for herself in Hollywood, and it’s nice to see people taking notice. Lupita admits she was surprised when she first found out she had made the cover.

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

She also talked about how her mother helped her feel beautiful. “[She] always said I was beautiful. And I finally believed her at some point.”

And now that she has been named most beautiful woman in the world, we have to imagine it will be even easier for her to believe all the compliments.

Jess Cagle, editorial director for the magazine, revealed the beautiful cover earlier this morning on Today. He explained that this year’s choice was an incredibly easy decision.

“She is fantastic. Obviously, she is the Oscar winner for 12 Years a Slave, raised in Kenya. She is the new celebrity ambassador for Lancôme Paris, along with Julia Roberts and Penélope Cruz. She’s kind of all the rage.

There was really no contest this year. She seemed like the only choice. Usually there’s a lot of debate; this time, we were all in agreement. She’s obviously talented, obviously beautiful, she is incredibly stylish, but the way she carries herself with such grace and such humility, I think it’s what put her over the top.”

Congrats to Lupita! I had no idea she was already 31-years-old! Not that 31 is old, it’s just she looks so much younger!