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fact sheet
October 18, 2013

A Primer: Lupita Nyong’o, Gorgeous Rising Star

By Charlotte Cowles and Sally Holmes

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Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Here’s a safe prediction: Actress Lupita Nyong’o will be 2013’s biggest emerging face. Her first-ever American film role in 12 Years a Slave, out today, is already getting Oscar buzz, and her handful of red-carpet appearances have landed her on many a “Girl to Watch” list. Between her fascinating background (she’s the daughter of a Kenyan politician), great taste (lots of Miu Miu), top-tier education (the Yale School of Drama), and movie star presence (I mean, just look at her), she’s probably going to be huge. Here’s a tip sheet on all things Nyong’o, and get ready to see her everywhere, come awards season.

Born: 1983, in Mexico, to Kenyan parents. She was raised predominantly in Nairobi.

Age: 30.

Parents: Her father, Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o, is the former Kenyan minister for medical services and served in the Kenyan Senate. He is currently a professor of political science at the University of Nairobi.

Other Family Members: Her cousin Isis Nyong’o manages African operations of InMobi, the world’s largest independent mobile-advertising network. Forbes named her as one of Africa’s most powerful women in 2012. Another cousin, Tavia Nyong’o, is a professor at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts.

Education: She majored in film at Hampshire College, and received her graduate degree in acting from the Yale School of Drama.

Principal Residence: Brooklyn, New York.

Why She Might Look Familiar: She played a lead role in MTV Base’s Shuga, a series that aired in some areas of Africa and Europe between 2009 and 2011. Filmed in Kenya, the show was commissioned by a number of AIDS-relief organizations to spread awareness and tolerance of responsible sexual relationships. Nyong’o’s  character was a confident, sexually active young student named Ayira.

Why She Probably Looks Familiar: Her role as Patsy, the most prominent female character in 12 Years a Slave, is already getting Oscar buzz for Best Supporting Actress. Director Steve McQueen cast her three weeks before she even graduated from drama school, and she’s been on red carpets everywhere leading up to the film’s release.

Signature Style: Bold minimalism. She mostly sticks to bright solids like fuchsia, neon yellow, and cobalt blue, but occasionally mixes in an uncomplicated print like polka dots. Her stylist, Micaela Erlanger (who also works with Michelle Dockery), deserves credit for the major labels she’s been wearing, including Prada, Miu Miu, and Roland Mouret. Preferred silhouettes involve a fitted waist, but she can wear pretty much anything.

What She’s Been Talking About in Interviews: That she was plucked from obscurity to play opposite Brad Pitt! (And more, of course, which you can read about here.)

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1 / 12 Photos
November 16, 2013 Where: At the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' Governors Awards in Hollywood, California. What: Dress by Prabal Gu... November 16, 2013 Where: At the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' Governors Awards in Hollywood, California. What: Dress by Prabal Gurung. Photo: Frederick M. Brown/2013 Getty Images
October 21, 2013 Where: At the 17th Annual Hollywood Film Awards in Beverly Hills, California. What: Dress by J. Mendel; shoes by Jean-Michel Ca... October 21, 2013 Where: At the 17th Annual Hollywood Film Awards in Beverly Hills, California. What: Dress by J. Mendel; shoes by Jean-Michel Cazabat; clutch by Judith Leiber; jewelry by Gold Monique Pean. Photo: ROBYN BECK/2013 AFP
October 14, 2013 Where: At the premiere of 12 Years A Slave in Los Angeles, California. What: Dress by Miu Miu; shoes by Christian Louboutin; cl... October 14, 2013 Where: At the premiere of 12 Years A Slave in Los Angeles, California. What: Dress by Miu Miu; shoes by Christian Louboutin; clutch by Judith Leiber; jewelry by Kwiat. Photo: Jason Merritt/2013 Getty Images
October 11, 2013 Where: At a screening of 12 Years a Slave at the  Annual Mill Valley Film Festival in Mill Valley, California. Photo:... October 11, 2013 Where: At a screening of 12 Years a Slave at the  Annual Mill Valley Film Festival in Mill Valley, California. Photo: C Flanigan/2013 C Flanigan
October 8, 2013 Where: At the 12 Years A Slave premiere during the New York Film Festival in New York City. What: Dress by Roland Mouret; jewel... October 8, 2013 Where: At the 12 Years A Slave premiere during the New York Film Festival in New York City. What: Dress by Roland Mouret; jewelry by Kwiat. Photo: Astrid Stawiarz/2013 Getty Images
October 2, 2013 Where: At the Miu Miu Spring/Summer 2014 show in Paris, France. Photo: Pascal Le Segretain/2013 Getty Images
September 19, 2013 Where: At the Broadway opening night for Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet in New York City. Photo: Bruce Glikas/2013 Bruce Glik... September 19, 2013 Where: At the Broadway opening night for Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet in New York City. Photo: Bruce Glikas/2013 Bruce Glikas
September 9, 2013 Where: At the TIFF HFPA / InStyle Party during the Toronto International Film Festival at Windsor Arms Hotel in Toronto, Canada... September 9, 2013 Where: At the TIFF HFPA / InStyle Party during the Toronto International Film Festival at Windsor Arms Hotel in Toronto, Canada. What: Jumpsuit by Veronica Beard; shoes by Paul Andrew; clutch by Calvin Klein.  Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/2013 Getty Images
September 7, 2013 Where: At the Fox Searchlight TIFF Party during theToronto International Film Festival in Toronto, Canada. What: Dress by Ant... September 7, 2013 Where: At the Fox Searchlight TIFF Party during theToronto International Film Festival in Toronto, Canada. What: Dress by Antonio Berard; shoes by Christian Louboutin. Photo: Larry Busacca/2013 Getty Images
September 6, 2013 Where: At the 12 Years A Slave premiere during the Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto, Canada. What: Shoes, dress... September 6, 2013 Where: At the 12 Years A Slave premiere during the Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto, Canada. What: Shoes, dress, and clutch by Prada. Photo: Jason Merritt/2013 Getty Images
September 7, 2013 Where: At the Guess Portrait Studio at the Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto, Canada. What: Shorts and top by Ho... September 7, 2013 Where: At the Guess Portrait Studio at the Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto, Canada. What: Shorts and top by Honor; shoes by Manolo Blahnik; earringss by Lulu Frost. Photo: Larry Busacca/2013 Getty Images
August 31, 2013 Where: At the Telluride Film Festival in Telluride, Colorado. Photo: Vivien Killilea/2013 Vivien Killilea
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