Lupita Nyong’o has won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in 12 Years a Slave.
In a tradition that we’ve come to love of her, Nyong’o delivered another emotional speech that left British actor Benedict Cumberbatch in tears. “It doesn’t escape me for one moment that so much joy in my life is thanks to someone else’s pain,” said Nyong’o referring to the story of Patsey, the enslaved woman she portrayed in the film based on Solomon Northup’s memoir.
“No matter where you are from, your dreams are valid,” she continued.
The win comes a day after the ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood honoree celebrated her 31st birthday by taking home an Independent Spirit Award. She won the same category at the Screen Actors Guild Awards and Critics Choice Awards earlier this year.
Nyong’o beat out Jennifer Lawrence (American Hustle), and Julia Roberts (August: Osage County), both Oscar winners.
Oprah was among the celebrities to congratulate Nyong’o. “So happy So Proud,” she tweeted.
Watch Lupita’s emotional Oscar speech below:
