Oct 10, 2016 04:10 AM EDT By Jane Reed, UniversityHerald Reporter

She is known for her break out performance as a slave in '12 Years A Slave.' Actress Lupita Nyong'o did not just get into acting overnight. It all started when she moved to the United States to get her higher education.

Born in 1983, Lupita Nyong'o grew up as a Kenyan. Although she identifies herself as Keynan-Mexican. When she was young, she studied Spanish in Mexico and took classes at the Universided Nacional Autonoma de Mexico's Learning Center For Foreigners. Her family is very artistic, they would observe and attend plays and even let the children (like Lupita) perform. In Kenya, she attended the Rusinga International school. From there, she learned she loved to act. At 14 years old, she made her professional acting debut in a 'Romeo and Juliet' production.

Years later, Lupita Nyong'o attended the St. Mary's School in Nairobi. From there she received her IB Diploma, in 2001. She then moved to the United States to attend Hampshire College and take her degree in film and theater studies, cites The Richest. But she did not stop there. She was admitted to the Master of Fine Arts Program at the Yale School of Drama, too.

After graduating in 2012, she got her first big break with her supporting role in '12 Years A Slave.' She performed across actor Michael Fassbender, too. She plays Patsey, a slave who works for Solomon Northup (Fassbender).

Her performance was so outstanding that she earned an Academy Award for her break out role which makes her the first Kenyan and first Mexican actress to win an Oscar. She was also nominated for a BAFTA for Best Actress in a Supporting Role and two Screen Actors Guild Awards for Best Supporting Actress. Her passion for her craft enabled her to pursue the career she wants while working hard and studying her craft.

And not only is she an educated and accomplished actress, but a major advocate for women's rights.

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