Lupita, Amber Heard, Stacy named People's Most Beautiful woman

'12 Years a Slave' star Lupita N'yong'o has been named People's Most Beautiful woman.

The 31-year-old actress is thrilled to have taken the coveted title and hopes her appearance on the cover of the publication will help young black women feel "a little more seen".

Producer Brad Pitt and actress Lupita Nyong'o pose with their awards for "12 Years a Slave" backstage at the 2014 Film Independent Spirit Awards in Santa Monica, California March 1, 2014. (REUTERS)

She said: "It was exciting and just a major, major compliment.

"I was [especially] happy for all the girls who would see me on [it] and feel a little more seen."

Nominee for Best Supporting Actress in "12 Years a Slave"  Lupita Nyong'o arrives on the red carpet at the 86th Academy Awards. (AFP)

The Oscar-winning star, who was born in Mexico and raised in Kenya, considered beautiful women to only the ones she saw on television who looked nothing like her.

She said: "Light skin and long, flowing, straight hair. Subconsciously you start to appreciate those things more than what you possess."

Lupita claims her mother, Dorothy, "always" told her she was beautiful growing up and she "finally believed her at some point."

Lupita attends the premiere of Universal Pictures and Studiocanal's "Non-Stop" at Regency Village Theatre. (AFP)

Despite appearing on best-dressed lists after being made to look her best for red carpet events, the '12 Years a Slave' star insists the best compliments come when she is praised for her natural look.

She said: "[The best compliments are] when I have been called beautiful with not one drop of make-up on.

Lupita Nyong'o attends the 71st Annual Golden Globe Awards. (AFP)

"And also before I comb my hair or put on a pretty dress. Happiness is the most important thing."

Last year, Gwyneth Paltrow was named Most Beautiful by the publication.

PEOPLE MAGAZINE'S MOST BEAUTIFUL 2014

1. Lupita Nyong'o
2. Kerri Russell
3. Jenna Dewan-Tatum
4. Mindy Kaling
5. Pink
6. Amber Heard
7. Gabrielle Union
8. Molly Sims
9. Stacy Keibler
10. Kerry Washington

People magazine’s latest list will hit newsstands later this week – but the top ten has already been revealed online.

Felicity star Keri Russell is runner up with her alabaster skin tone and natural beauty.

New mother Jenna Dewan-Tatum is third in line to the throne with her chiselled cheekbones and perfect jawline helping her to inch her way up the list.

New-girl on the block Mindy Kaling has made an epic impression upon Hollywood since hitting our screens with The Mindy Project in 2012.

And the 34-year-old American has been voted the fourth most beautiful star on People’s list, this year.

Pink, 34, who has never been one to follow the conventional beauty theme, is fifth in this list with her beauty shining through during her awe-inspiring stage performances.

The future Mrs. Johnny Depp, 28, a siren both on and off screen, Amber Heard has won sixth position on the beautiful list.

Fans might remember her from Bring It On, but Gabrielle Union is now 41 – not that anyone can tell as this American star has a youthful magnificence. She’s also number seven on the magazine’s list.

And 40-year-old Molly Sims is also noted in the list, with George Clooney’s ex-girlfriend Stacy Keibler, 34, bringing up the rear in ninth position.

And the tenth ‘most beautiful’ person on People’s list is the ever-graceful Kerry Washington, 37, who told Doobop.com: ‘The reality is we all have nerves and moments of insecurity … But if I said to myself that I'm only going to show up, or speak or be visible when I'm perfect, I would never get out of bed.’

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