When Lupita Nyong’o accepted her Academy Award on Sunday night, she joined a very exclusive club. Being in the winner’s circle at the Oscars is a defining moment in any actor’s career, but taking home one of those coveted statuettes for your debut performance in a feature film? That’s next level.

If anyone needed proof of her leading lady poise, she delivered one of the most memorable and heartfelt Oscar speeches we’ve seen in years. "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,” she said. “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.”

In her moment of victory, the 12 Years a Slave star also cemented her place in Oscar history on the Best Dressed lists. Her custom, pastel blue Prada gown and diamond Fred Leighton headband was sheer perfection. The color was a nod to her Kenyan family heritage, but the overall look and silhouette was inspired by the queen of Hollywood glamour, the great Elizabeth Taylor. 

Taylor once said, “I feel very adventurous. There are so many doors to be opened, and I’m not afraid to look behind them.” She might as well have been speaking for Lupita, who is still only in the early chapters of what we will hope will be a long and impressive acting career. We can’t wait to see what’s behind the doors for her.