The 31-year-old star, who won the best supporting actress Oscar for her poignant portrayal of slave girl Patsey in Steve McQueen's '12 Years a Slave', says growing up she never thought she would be called beautiful.
"It was exciting and just a major, major compliment. I was happy for all the girls who would see me on [it] and feel a little more seen," the 31-year-old star said about landing on the cover of People magazine.
"Light skin and long, flowing, straight hair. Subconsciously you start to appreciate those things more than what you possess."
Her mother "always said I was beautiful," Nyong'o adds. "And I finally believed her at some point."
Now she says the best compliments are "when I have been called beautiful with not one drop of makeup on. And also before I comb my hair or put on a pretty dress. Happiness is the most important thing.