Ten Things to Know About Lupita Nyong'o

The 12 Years a Slave star is Hollywood's new It girl.

Who's That Girl? - From her breakout role in 12 Years a Slave, which thrived at the box office in limited release and expands to more theaters this Friday, Lupita Nyong'o has become Hollywood's newest "It" girl. Talented, beautiful and stylish, we know we'll be seeing a lot more of Lupita on the big screen.  Our list of ten things to know about Lupita Nyong'o kicks off with her international roots. Though the gorgeous actress is of Kenyan descent and was raised in Kenya, she was actually born in Mexico. (Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images)

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Who's That Girl? - From her breakout role in 12 Years a Slave, which thrived at the box office in limited release and expands to more theaters this Friday, Lupita Nyong'o has become Hollywood's newest "It" girl. Talented, beautiful and stylish, we know we'll be seeing a lot more of Lupita on the big screen.  Our list of ten things to know about Lupita Nyong'o kicks off with her international roots. Though the gorgeous actress is of Kenyan descent and was raised in Kenya, she was actually born in Mexico. (Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo:  Larry Busacca/Getty Images

Lupita Nyong'o in 12 Years a Slave - This Kenyan and Mexican beauty seemingly came out of nowhere and took Hollywood by storm with her style and talent. Nyong'o, a Yale graduate, made her film debut as the slave Patsey in Steve McQueen's gut-wrenching drama 12 Years a Slave, and is nominated for an Oscar for the part.

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Beginner's Luck - A graduate of Hampshire College and Yale School of Drama, Lupita's first real world audition was for 12 Years a Slave. Needless to say, she nailed it! While Lupita was an actress and filmmaker in Kenya, this was her American cinema debut. (Photo: FOX Searchlight)

Oscar Dreams - As one of the most critically-lauded and buzzed-about films of the year, 12 Years a Slave is a virtual sure shot for some Academy Award nominations. More than a few insiders are convinced that Lupita has a chance at nabbing her first nod. Will her beginner's luck turn into Oscar gold? (Photo: Araya Diaz/Getty Images)

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Oscar Dreams - As one of the most critically-lauded and buzzed-about films of the year, 12 Years a Slave is a virtual sure shot for some Academy Award nominations. More than a few insiders are convinced that Lupita has a chance at nabbing her first nod. Will her beginner's luck turn into Oscar gold? (Photo: Araya Diaz/Getty Images)

Paying Her Dues - She may be new to town, but this isn't Lupita's first brush with Hollywood. The ingenue was Ralph Fiennes' production assistant during the filming of The Constant Gardener in Kenya, and also worked on Mira Nair's The Namesake while she was in college. (Photo: FOX Searchlight)

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Paying Her Dues - She may be new to town, but this isn't Lupita's first brush with Hollywood. The ingenue was Ralph Fiennes' production assistant during the filming of The Constant Gardener in Kenya, and also worked on Mira Nair's The Namesake while she was in college. (Photo: FOX Searchlight)

Fashion Star - Sure, she can act, but have you seen this girl rock a red carpet? Lupita is already a pro at getting glam for events and has become a style star for her bold fashion choices.(Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

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Fashion Star - Sure, she can act, but have you seen this girl rock a red carpet? Lupita is already a pro at getting glam for events and has become a style star for her bold fashion choices.(Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

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Daddy's Girl - Achievement runs in Lupita's family. Her father is professor and politician Anyang' Nyong'o, the former Kenyan Minister for Medical Services who was elected to represent Kisumu County in the Kenyan Senate in 2013.(Photos from left: Christopher Polk/Getty Images for DCP, JOSE CENDON/AFP/Getty Images)

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Daddy's Girl - Achievement runs in Lupita's family. Her father is professor and politician Anyang' Nyong'o, the former Kenyan Minister for Medical Services who was elected to represent Kisumu County in the Kenyan Senate in 2013.(Photos from left: Christopher Polk/Getty Images for DCP, JOSE CENDON/AFP/Getty Images)

Power Players - Her cousin Isis Nyong'o, a media and technology maven and graduate of Harvard Business School.  Isis was named one of Africa's most powerful women by Forbes magazine in 2012.(Photos from left: Larry Busacca/Getty Images, Courtesy of Isis Nyong'o Madison)

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Power Players - Her cousin Isis Nyong'o, a media and technology maven and graduate of Harvard Business School.  Isis was named one of Africa's most powerful women by Forbes magazine in 2012.(Photos from left: Larry Busacca/Getty Images, Courtesy of Isis Nyong'o Madison)

Homegrown - She may be new to Hollywood, but Lupita had a thriving career as an actress and filmmaker in her native Kenya. She starred in the television series Shuga and in 2009, she wrote, directed, and produced the documentary In My Genes, about the treatment of Kenya’s albino population. (Photo: Jerod Harris/Getty Images for NJPR)

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Homegrown - She may be new to Hollywood, but Lupita had a thriving career as an actress and filmmaker in her native Kenya. She starred in the television series Shuga and in 2009, she wrote, directed, and produced the documentary In My Genes, about the treatment of Kenya’s albino population. (Photo: Jerod Harris/Getty Images for NJPR)

Stage Cred - She's worked both in front of and behind the camera (as a former production assistant and documentary director), but Lupita can also hold her own on stage. She starred in a number of plays during her tenure at the rigorous Yale School of Drama, including works by Shakespeare and Gertrude Stein. (Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)

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Stage Cred - She's worked both in front of and behind the camera (as a former production assistant and documentary director), but Lupita can also hold her own on stage. She starred in a number of plays during her tenure at the rigorous Yale School of Drama, including works by Shakespeare and Gertrude Stein. (Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)

She's Non-Stop - Lupita didn't waste any time booking her next gig. The actress will be seen opposite Liam Neeson and Julianne Moore in the action thriller Non-Stop, in which she plays an air-hostess on a hijacked plane.(Photo: Jag Gundu/Getty Images)

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She's Non-Stop - Lupita didn't waste any time booking her next gig. The actress will be seen opposite Liam Neeson and Julianne Moore in the action thriller Non-Stop, in which she plays an air-hostess on a hijacked plane.(Photo: Jag Gundu/Getty Images)