Kenyan actress and Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o has been unveiled as People magazine’s “Most Beautiful Person” this year.

The prestigious cover spot is a coveted honour. Last year it was contentiously given to Gwyneth Paltrow and other past ‘Most Beautiful’ cover stars have also included Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez and Halle Berry.

The 31-year-old star, who won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar earlier this year for her breakout role as Patsey in 12 Years a Slave, told People that she has struggled with her appearance in the past.

“Light skin and long, flowing, straight hair,” she said of her past interpretation of beauty. “Subconsciously you start to appreciate those things more than what you possess.”

However, Nyong’o said her mother continued to insist that she was beautiful when she was growing up, “and I finally believed her at some point.”

The Mexico-born actress tops the list of 50 celebrities the magazine has handpicked as the world’s most attractive, whether for their surface beauty, personality, or contribution to society.

Fellow “beautiful” list members include Pink, Mindy Kaling, Jennifer Lawrence, Julia Roberts and Kerry Washington.

Nyong’o’s biggest beauty tip?

“Happiness,” she told the magazine.