Hollywood newcomer Lupita Nyong'o has been named the world's Most Beautiful star by editors of People magazine.

The 12 Years A Slave actress saw off competition from Kerry Washington, Amber Heard, Jenna Dewan-Tatum and pop singer Pink to top 2014's 50 Most Beautiful list, following in the footsteps of 2013 winner Gwyneth Paltrow.

The actress says of the honour, "It was exciting and just a major, major compliment."

And the accolade was all the more poignant for the Kenyan actress because she never considered herself to be a traditional beauty growing up.

She tells the publication, "Beauty was what I saw on television, you know, light skin and long, flowing, straight hair. Subconsciously you start to appreciate those things more than what you possess.

"My mother always said I was beautiful, and I finally believed her at some point."

The title is the latest career success for the 31 year old, who won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar last month (Mar14), as well as lucrative contracts with cosmetics brand Lancome and fashion house Miu Miu.