Lupita Nyong'o inspired by Michael Jackson for 12 Years A Slave role

Actress Lupita Nyong'o drew inspiration from Michael Jackson's shy nature for her role in Steve Mcqueen's critically-acclaimed drama 12 Years A Slave.

The Hollywood newcomer plays the drama's slave girl Patsey, who is viciously beaten and raped, and admits she picked up a lot of her characteristics from the late King of Pop, who famously struggled to adjust to life in the spotlight after shooting to fame as a child star.

She tells Dazed & Confused magazine, "There's something very Michael Jackson-like about Patsey - the childlike quality he always had. She had her childhood stripped away from her suddenly as soon as she became of sexual age."

Nyong'o's performance as Patsey is hotly-tipped to land her a Supporting Actress Oscar nomination when the shortlist is announced on Thursday (16Jan14).