Entertainment

Lupita Nyong'o is the new face of Lancome

April 4, 2014 / 12:33 PM EDT / ET Online

Oscar winner Lupita Nyong'o, 31, has just landed a huge new Lancome gig.

The "12 Years a Slave" star, who's already well-known for her head-turning red carpet style and beauty looks, will join the A-list likes of Julia Roberts, Penelope Cruz and Kate Winslet as celebrity ambassadors for the brand.

Video: Lupita Nyongo's fashion rewind

"What appealed to me about Lancome is that they're not dictating what beauty is," she tells WWD. "What they do supports something that already is -- and that was appealing to me, too. It's what drew me to them. Hopefully it's a symbiotic relationship -- that I benefit from being associated with them, and they benefit from being associated with me, as well. And for the consumer at large, I think Lancome has a range of products for every woman, and I think having me will expand people's understanding of, hopefully, what Lancome stands for, who Lancome is for."

Lupita has spoken out before about how her darker complexion made her feel "unbeautiful" growing up.

"I put on the TV and only saw pale skin, I got teased and taunted about my night-shaded skin. And my one prayer to God, the miracle worker, was that I would wake up lighter-skinned," she said in a speech at the Essence Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon in February.

She later expressed how model Alek Wek's popularity gave her confidence.

Pics: 5 things you don't know about Lupita Nyong'o

"When she came on the scene, I felt more seen," Nyong'o also tells WWD. "Having me on a huge campaign like this will hopefully do that for other girls or people who feel unseen or underseen."

Lupita's Lancome ads will debut in September.

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