Lupita Nyong’o Feeling ‘A Little Whiplash’ Adjusting To Quick Rise In Fame

Lupita Nyong’o is still trying to adjust to life since winning an Oscar earlier this year for her role in “12 Years a Slave.”

“This is actually a conversation I look forward to having in 10 years, when all of this is behind me and I have some real perspective on what happened — because right now I’m still adjusting. I guess I feel catapulted into a different place; I have a little whiplash,” Lupita told Glamour, which features her on the cover of its December 2014, Women of the Year issue.

“I did have a dream to be an actress, but I didn’t think about being famous. And I haven’t yet figured out how to be a celebrity; that’s something I’m learning, and I wish there were a course on how to handle it. I have to be aware that my kinesphere may be larger than I want it to be,” she added.

PHOTOS: Lupita Nyong’o: Red Carpet Style File

Lupita told the magazine that one of her role models while growing up was Oprah Winfrey.

“Oprah played a big role in my understanding of what it meant to be female and to really step into your own power,” the actress said. “I wouldn’t even call her a role model; she was literally a reference point. You have the dictionary, you have the Bible, you have Oprah.”

WATCH: Lupita Nyong’o Joins ‘Star Wars’ Cast

She also praised her mother, who helped shape her into a poised and confident woman.

“I come from a loving, supportive family, and my mother taught me that there are more valuable ways to achieve beauty than just through your external features,” Lupita said. “She was focused on compassion and respect, and those are the things that ended up translating to me as beauty. Beautiful people have many advantages, but so do friendly people.… I think beauty is an expression of love.”

Lupita Nyong’o on the cover of Glamour’s Dec. 2014 issue (Tom Munro/Glamour)

Jolie Lash

Copyright © 2024 by NBC Universal, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

This material may not be republished, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Read More

Ernie Hudson's Age-Defying Looks At 78 Leave 'Ghostbusters' Fans Stunned