Lupita Nyong'o Becomes 2nd Black African Woman to Cover 'Vogue'!

Lupita Nyong’o looks absolutely breathtaking while posing for the cover of Vogue‘s July 2014 issue.

The 31-year-old actress becomes only the second black African woman to ever grace the cover of the magazine. The other is Ethiopian model Liya Kebede. Here is what Lupita had to share with the mag:

On watching herself in 12 Years a Slave: “I was really nervous about seeing myself in 12 Years a Slave because it had been such a profound experience in all ways. I remember it being one of the most joyful times in my life — and also one of the most sorrowful. I didn’t want my experience to be a vain one. But I will say that when I watched it, my heartstrings were pulled so tight for [the main character] Solomon that I couldn’t go into the ego trip. I cried — I mean, I was inconsolable. I wept for an hour after the movie.”

On being photographed by paparazzi for the first time: “For a split second I looked behind me to see who they were flashing at — and it was me! That was, I think, the beginning of the end of my anonymity.”

On being intrigued by Star Wars‘ R2-D2 and C-3PO: “They just resonated with me. Being able to convey emotions with just a few digital sounds�”it speaks of good storytelling… It’s a wonderful opportunity to be working in these fantastical realms. They’re worlds away from 12 Years a Slave, that’s for sure�”but that kind of diversity is what dreams are made of.”

For more from Lupita, visit Vogue.com!