Lupita gives an emotional acceptance speech at the Oscars 2014

By Rachael Odhiambo (@RachaelOdhiambo)

After her name was called out as the winner of Best Supporting Actress in the 2014 Oscar awards for her role as Patsey in the movie 12 Years a Slave, Lupita Nyong’o gave a moving and emotional speech.

The 31-year-old actress, who was dressed in a Nairobi blue Prada gown, was overwhelmed as she took to the stage to receive her award.

The opening remarks to her speech, “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.” This was in reference to those who had lived through the slavery period and undergone what she portrayed in the movie 12 Years a Slave.

Amid cheers and hand claps from all who had attended the Oscars, Lupita went on to thank Steve McQueen, the 12 Years a Slave director whom she thanked for putting her in that position.

Her gratitude did not stop there as she thanked all the actors and actresses who made the movie a success. Lupita’s speech was not complete without her thanking her family, Yale School of Drama and her brother, Juniour, who she termed as her best friend.

In her closing remarks, Lupita concluded with what remains as the most memorable words of the Oscars, “no matter where you are from, your dreams are valid.”

Click below to watch Lupita’s emotional speech.