Lupita Nyong?o

You may not know how to pronounce the name and this may be the first time you’ve ever even seen it. But Lupita Nyong?o is destined to become a household name. The 29 year-old actress was virtually unknown until getting the role in Steve McQueen’s 12 Years A Slave in cinemas next week. Born in Mexico to Kenyan parents and raised primarily in Kenya, Nyong’o went on to study at Yale and 12 Years is her movie debut. Her performance in McQueen’s latest has been highly acclaimed, landing her a nomination for a BAFTA Rising Star Award. Other nominees include Palme D’Or winner Lea Seydoux from Blue Is The Warmest Colour. We like Lupita already – down-to-earth and utterly striking, she comes with a pre-packeged, pitch-perfect fashion sense worthy of a star.

@Roxeenna

Photo credit AP and Rex Features