Lupita Nyong'o is People Magazine's Most Beautiful Woman.

The dark beauty's winning streak is still on and though she grew up thinking that "light skin and flowing, straight hair" made women desirable, World's Most Beautiful Woman Nyong'o, 31, tells PEOPLE that her mother "always said I was beautiful. And I finally believed her at some point." The Oscar winner, who's now a face of Lancôme Paris, is excited for this honor in part because of "all the girls who would see me … and feel a little more seen."With more than 1 million followers on Instagram, Nyong'o has also shared her own seemingly humble reaction to her quick rise to fame and the praise bestowed upon her.

When asked by Guthrie about the craziest thing to happen during her run as a newfound "it girl," Nyong'o said, "I have a good one for you.""I was sitting, getting my hair cut, and someone passed by, and peered in and said, 'You're really beautiful.'" Nyong'o told Guthrie. "And I said, 'Thank you.' And he said, 'You know that girl in '12 Years a Slave,' that actress? You look just like her.' I said, 'Thank you so much.'"