Lupita Nyong'o becomes Lancome's first black spokeswoman

Lupita Nyong'o arrives at the Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala at the Palm Springs Convention Center on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014, in Palm Springs, Calif. (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

NEW YORK -- The fashion and beauty industry's love affair with Lupita Nyong'o continues: The Oscar winner has been named the new face for Lancome.

The Mexican-born Kenyan will be the first black ambassador for the brand, which features Julia Roberts, Kate Winslet, Penelope Cruz and Lily Collins as spokeswomen. In a statement Friday, Nyong'o said she was proud to represent Lancome, adding "beauty should not be dictated, but should instead be an expression of a woman's freedom to be herself."

It's the first major endorsement deal for the 31-year-old, who won the best-supporting Oscar for her role in "12 Years a Slave." Her striking beauty and fashion sense made her the It Girl for the Hollywood awards season.

Lancome ads featuring Nyong'o will start appearing this summer.