Lupita Nyong’o, Emilia Clarke, Kate Mara, Elle Fanning for Marie Claire May 2014

On being called gorgeous: “Being called gorgeous is not a bad thing! But at the same time, I don’t want to thrive on people’s opinions of me.”

On waiting for her category at awards shows: “I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy. It’s not even about the outcome; it’s about the agony of the unknown. It’s like waiting for test results in a hospital.”

On this past year: “It was phenomenal. As brilliant as it was, onward ho. I hope that I will get to work soon. In due time, what I should do next and what I want to do next will reveal themselves. I am not in the business of trying to top this year – that’s virtually impossible. I’d have to be pronounced the queen of England or something.” 

Photographed by Cedric Buchet