Academy Award winner, Lupita Nyong’o has arguably become the most admired actress in Hollywood. Since her silver screen debut in 12 Years a Slave, the star has stolen red carpets, hearts, and fashion bloggers attention. So it comes as no surprise that the 31-year-old actress has become the newest face – or “ambassador” – of Lancôme cosmetics.
Clearly aided by a business-savvy mind, Nyong’o is, however, more than just a pretty face. In 2009 she released In My Genes, a documentary that examines what it’s like to live as an albino in Kenya. As the writer, director and producer of a multi-award winning film, including Africala Film Festival’s 2008 “Souvenir Selection,” Nyong’o entered Hollywood’s realm, quickly becoming one of the movie industry’s elite.
As Lancôme’s first Black ambassador, Nyong’o will join the ranks of other Hollywood nobility, including Kate Winslet, Penelope Cruz, and Julia Roberts.
“I am truly honored to join the Maison Lancome, a brand with such a prestigious history that I have always loved,” said Nyong’o in a press release. “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.”
The announcement, and the #LupitaForLancome comes just three weeks after Joan Morgan, journalist and founder of Emily Jane, and Dr. Yaba Blay, founder of Pretty Period took to Twitter in hopes of getting MAC Cosmetics to sign Nyong’o as a MAC spokesperson. Numerous Black feminists, fans, and supporters of Nyong’o responded with tweets of their own to the makeup professionals. While MAC responded to influx of social media attention that was shared with their executive team, it appears the French makeup professionals signed the starlet first.
Conveniently timed, the first release of her ads will likely coincide with the fall fashion push. Lancome, an offspring of L’Oréal and available in over 160 countries worldwide, couldn’t be more excited about their new cover girl.
“Both talented and committed, true to her African beauty, and showing a great curiosity and open-mindedness in her career choices, Lupita is by essence the Lancome woman,” stated Francoise Lehmann, General Manager of Lancome International in the press release. “A strikingly beautiful and intelligent woman, serenely but strongly living her life her own way, Lupita has this special kind of aura both enlightening and deep.”
Photos courtesy of Lancome and ABC Media
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