With breakout roles in some of 2014’s biggest blockbusters, these up-and-coming actresses could be the next overnight superstars.
The sensation that is Lupita Nyong’o came seemingly from nowhere to win not only an Oscar for that performance in 12 Years A Slave, but the top newcomer prize in our (totally fictional) Best Dressed Human Ever awards. While movie insiders had spotted her coming, the fashion pack were dealt a sucker-punch – just who was this fresh-faced beauty, showing that she could effortlessly navigate from body-con Kane to a true heroine’s Ralph Lauren cape in a single awards season? It was Miuccia Prada who eventually came out on top of the onslaught of designers scrambling to dress Lupita for her biggest moment and, as the proud new owner of a shiny gold guy, she, of course, has her pick of the parts going forward. In short, her career and her wardrobe are sorted for life.
So here are our tips for who could be the next rising starlets to ‘do a Lupita’ – so that next time we won’t be so blindsided…
Karen Gillan, 26 Doctor Who’s former assistant is about to go global, landing her first Hollywood mega-role as ‘space pirate’ Nebula in Marvel’s Guardians Of The Galaxy. A red carpet whirlwind with co-stars Bradley Cooper and Zoe Saldana awaits. Most likely to: Ditch the ball gown. Karen likes to keep it sleek, mixing Acne and DVF separates with vintage finds.
Daisy Bevan, 22 A fourth generation Redgrave/Richardson girl, Daisy is about to make her own mark on the family business, starring in The Two Faces Of January with Kirsten Dunst in May. When it comes to red carpet style, Bevan has form – she was one of the night’s best dressed in Burberry at the British Fashion Awards in December. Most likely to: Be Burberry’s next campaign girl.
Laura Haddock, 28 After small parts in shows varying from Agatha Christie’s Marple to The Inbetweeners, Laura’s joining fellow Brit girl Karen in the Guardians Of The Galaxy cast. Last year she married long-term love Sam Claflin, aka the Hunger Games’ trident-wielding hunk, Finnick Odair. Most likely to: Become BFFs with J-Law.
Emma Rigby, 24 You’re currently pretending that you don’t recognize this face from Hollyoaks, aren’t you? (We definitely didn’t watch it either). But hear us out, because Emma’s having a Margot Robbie-style career overhaul after taking on small roles in Hollywood hits like The Counselor, starring Cameron Diaz and Brad Pitt. Up next, she’s in Plastic with Will Poulter (who won the Bafta Rising Star award) and Alfie Allen. Most likely to: Fall in love with Leo Dicaprio.
Sophie Kennedy Clark, 25 SKC nailed her Burberry billboard gig back in 2011 and recently landed edgy supporting roles in Lars Von Trier’s Nymphomaniac and the Oscar nominated Philomena. Next up, Eliza Graves, with Kate Beckinsale, no less. Most likely to: Knuckle down and start winning serious awards.
Sai Bennett, 23 Mr Selfridge beauty Sai’s first feature film, the Amanda Knox biopic Face Of An Angel, is due out later this year. Why so much fuss? Fellow Storm model Cara Delevingne is her co-star. Cue on-set selfies aplenty. Most likely to: Start a social media frenzy.
6 things you need to know about Lupita Nyong'o