This has certainly been a big year for Lupita Nyong'o. Not only did she win an Oscar for her role in “12 Years a Slave,” but she also nabbed a spokesmodel deal with Lancome Paris and now she is People’s “Most Beautiful” person for 2014.

"It was exciting and just a major, major compliment," the 31-year-old said of the honor. “And especially, I was happy for all the girls who would see me on [it] and feel a little more seen.”

Lupita continued her chat with People and discussed her first thoughts on beauty growing up in Mexico. "Light skin and long, flowing, straight hair," she said. "Subconsciously you start to appreciate those things more than what you possess."

Miss Nyong’o added that her mother “always said I was beautiful and I finally believed her at some point."