Lupita Nyong'o Wins Independent Spirit Award On Her 31st Birthday

Rising star Lupita Nyong'o won an Independent Spirit award on Saturday for her debut movie role in 12 Years a Slave and told the audience: "Not a bad way to celebrate my birthday."

The Kenyan actress turned 31 a day before the Oscars where she is a front runner for best supporting actress.

12 Years a Slave dominated the Independent Spirit Awards, where it took five prizes.

They included best feature and best director for Britain's Steve McQueen.

Other acting trophies went to Cate Blanchett, for her role in Blue Jasmine, and to Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto, for their roles as Aids patients in Dallas Buyers Club.

All three are favourites to win at the Oscars on Sunday night.

Lupita wore gold eye shadow, heavy eyeliner and bright red lipstick- the actress is known for her love of colourful make up.

The 12 Years A Slave star turns 31 yesterday, 1st March, 2014, and could have a belated birthday present tomorrow if she manages to nab the Best Supporting Actress gong.

'Froggie birthday cake from my #Oscars team! #FamilyTotem. Thank you!!!' she posted along with a snap of the googly-eyed amphibian.

Earlier in the night the flawless thespian wrote: 'Birthday surprise from the #12YearsASlave family. Feeling the love. #Oscars!'

In the candle-lit snap, Nyong'o's co-stars Michael Fassbender, Sarah Paulson, and Chiwetel Ejiofor sweetly surriound her at a restaurant table.

Earlier that afternoon, Lupita flaunted her pins in a golden jumpsuit as she triumphantly posed with her producer Pitt - both clutching statuettes.

Lupita - who shaved her head at 19 - was born in Mexico, raised in Kenya, and now resides in Brooklyn.

She can currently be seen as flight attendant Gwen in the action flick Non-Stop with Liam Neeson, Julianne Moore, and Michelle Dockery.