Lupita Nyong'o Wins Best Supporting Actress at 2014 Academy Awards

"It doesn't escape me for one moment that so much joy in my life is thanks to so much pain in someone else's," the actress said

By Bruna Nessif Mar 03, 2014 3:34 AMTags
Lupita Nyong'o, Oscars WinnersKevin Winter/Getty Images

Congratulations Lupita Nyong'o!

The 12 Years a Slave star took home the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress, beating out big names Jennifer Lawrence, Julia Roberts, June Squibb and Sally Hawkins, for her portrayal of Patsey, a favored but abused slave in the Steve McQueen-directed drama.

"Yes! Thank you to the academy for this incredible recognition. It doesn't escape me for one moment that so much joy in my life is thanks to so much pain in someone else's. And so I want to salute the spirit of Patsey for her guidance, and for Solomon, thank you for telling her story and your own," the actress said.

"Steve McQueen, you charge everything that you fashion with a breath of your own spirit. Thank you so much for putting me in this position," Nyong'o continued as she began to get emotional.

"This has been the joy of my life. I'm certain that the dead are standing about you and watching and they're grateful and so am I. Chiwetel, thank you for your fearlessness and how deeply you went into telling Solomon's story. Michael Fassbender, thank you so much, you were my rock...I want to thank my family for your training and the Yale school of drama. My friends. My brother Junior sitting by my side."

The list of thank-yous continued, although Lupita noticeably left out costar and producer Brad Pitt (gasp!), but clearly emotions were running high, so we're sure it was an accident.

Nyong'o concluded, "When I look down at this golden statue, may it remind me and every little child that no matter where you're from, your dreams are valid."