Why Lupita Nyong’o's ‘People’ Cover Is So Significant?

Lupita Nyong’o is gracing the cover of “People” Magazine‘s annual “50 Most Beautiful”. This year’s most beautiful cover issue is the 25th annual for “People” Magazine. The first honor went to actress Michelle Pfeiffer in 1990, and last year’s most beautiful person was Gwyneth Paltrow. The spot was always taken by big names, so Lupita has entered in a select gallery of celebrities. Does she deserve the award?

We can’t argue that she is beautiful, but is she worthy of the crown? The list from which she emerged was definitely a long one and the decision sparked a few controversies, counting among the runners-up Kate Middleton and Jennifer Lawrence. The 31-year-old Kenyan, who was born in Mexico, is the first black woman to ever take the award. When she won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role in “12 Years a Slave” in 2014, she became the first Kenyan to win an Oscar, the first African actress to win Best Supporting Actress and the first Mexican-born actress to win an Oscar

We can definitely say that success is one of beauty’s main ingredients. Success at Hollywood, on the other hand, means you are reaching fast for the statute of iconic. “12 Years a Slave” received positive reviews from critics, and was named the best film of 2013 by most of the media. It proved to be a box office success, earning over $178 million on a production budget of $18 million. The film won three Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Supporting Actress for Nyong’o, and the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay.

For the 31-year-old her story of success largely came to light during awards season as she collected trophies at every turn for her role in the movie “12 Years a Slave.” Along the way she turned all heads on every red carpets upon which she set foot. Her most appraised appearances where in a red Ralph Lauren at the Golden Globes Awards and in an emerald green Dior at the BAFTA Awards. The stylish Kenyan has become quite the fashion icon and has landed on numerous best dressed lists.

Nyong’o has also graced countless magazine covers and has most recently signed a deal with the cosmetics company Lancome to represent their products. “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,” Nyong’o said.

It came as a big surprise when the actress confessed she has never been secure with her looks as a young girl growing up, having never seen images in the media that she could identify with. On being People’s newest cover girl, Nyong’o says she is especially happy in how her presence will make other young girls who have felt invisible now feel a bit more seen.

Lupita Nyong’o is considered to be the “it girl” of the moment. The term defines a young woman who possesses the indefinable quality “It”, absolute attraction without flaunting her sexuality. In other words, you see and acknowledge beauty, but you can identify the main source of that beauty. In our days, where sex is everywhere and sex sells everything, the “it factor” has become a scarce resource, very hard to find. Not all of us are prepare to recognize and appreciate it. Our eyes are more easily caught by the vivid colors of scandal and controversy, and we tend to forget that beauty is first of all about style and elegance.

The choice for this year’s most beautiful person continues the momentum brought by the movie “12 Years a Slave”. 150 years ago we would have looked at Lupita as a slave, but today we see in her beauty and talent. We have to admit that we come a long way in becoming better and more tolerant. There are no more closed doors for those that are different than us.