Selma star Carmen Ejogo shows off her petite frame as she strips down to stockings for sultry magazine shoot

PUBLISHED: 17:02, 11 February 2015 | UPDATED: 17:48, 11 February 2015

She took on the role of Martin Luther King's wife Coretta and Carmen Ejogo's star is on the rise.

The Selma actress is not only being recognised for her big screen potential but also her exquisite beauty as she features in a stunning shoot for online magazine The Violet Files.

Carmen looks remarkably youthful, way beyond her 41 years, as she strips down to her lingerie to pull a series of provocative poses in the latest shots.

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Sultry star: Selma star Carmen Ejogo smoulders for The Violet Files as she strips down to her smalls

The elegant actress, whose previous credits include The Purge: Anarchy and Law & Order, was interviewed by the infamous Oprah Winfrey - who produces the film and plays Annie Lee Cooper.

Alongside the interview, Carmen shows off her toned frame in a series of smouldering shots, wearing nothing but black knickers and a silk shirt.

With her hair messed into a scruffy bob, the glamorous Hollywood up and comer turns sultry siren with dark, smokey make-up.

The stunning actress was styled by Samantha Traina, with her beauty by Jillian Dempsey, hair by Peter Butler and nails by Tracey Sutter.

Sexier side: The actress looked youthful beyond her years as she's beautified by the Violet Grey team

Elegant: The petite actress looks beautifully elegant in the vintage-look shoot for the online magazine

Despite nearly 20 years in the business, the Kensington-born beauty is starting to make her name among the biggest stars in Hollywood.

Selma, which chronicles Martin Luther King's 1965 campaign to secure equal voting rights for black citizens in the United States, is already nominated for an Academy Award.

This year, it has also narrowly missed out at 2015's Critics' Choice Movie Awards and the Golden Globes after receiving nods.

Rising star: Carmen was interviewed by fellow Selma star and producer Oprah Winfrey

Official UK trailer for new Martin Luther King film, 'Selma'

Classic beauty: The actress said she felt empowered to have a black woman behind the camera like Oprah

During their intimate one-to-one, Oprah managed to squeeze in a question about how Carmen felt to watch director Ava DuVernay behind the 'camera, managing and directing the entire experience as a black woman'.

She replied: 'I have been in this business long enough to know that Ava had to exhibit some very special qualities — not to mention stamina—to get to a place where she was taken seriously.

'I ultimately felt that what she had undertaken was quite incredible and trailblazing, not to mention that she was doing it with such grace, vision and leadership.'

Brooding: The actress plays Martin Luther King's wife Coretta in the Oscar-nominated film

Oprah Winfrey Interviews Carmen Ejogo | VIOLET GREY

She's a wild one: Nicole Scherinzger slithers into a snakeprint dress as she joins David Oyelowo at European premiere of Selma

By EMILY SHERIDAN FOR MAILONLINE

PUBLISHED: 20:02, 27 January 2015 | UPDATED: 20:45, 27 January 2015

She's currently playing a feline in the West End production of Cats.

So it looked like Nicole Scherzinger is continuing to find inspiration from the animal kingdom when it came to her latest red carpet look.

The singer showed off her stunning figure in a snake-print halterneck Ermanno Scervino dress as she attended the European premiere of Martin Luther King biopic Selma on Tuesday night.

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Wild thing: Nicole Scherinzger wears a snakeprint dress to the London premiere of Selma on Tuesday night

Fleeting visit: Nicole's appearance on the red carpet came before she is expected to tread the boards in Cats at the Palladium

She teamed the fitted number with a pair of Crisian London heels, with her hair styled in loose waves.

No doubt it was a fleeting visit for Nicole, who is due to take to the stage as Grizabella in Cats at the London Palladium later that evening.

The former Pussycat Dolls joined the movie's stars David Oyelowo and Tom Wilkinson and director Ava Duvernay for the London screening at the Curzon Mayfair.

The film's leading man, 38, was joined by his glamorous wife of 17 years Jessica, who is also an actress.

Smoulder: Nicole works her magic for the photographers

Dapper: Selma's leading man David Oyelowo and his wife Jessica enjoy their moment in the spotlight

Critics' darlings: David (left) and co-star Tom Wilkinson have won universal praise from critics for their performances in the film

David Oyelowo as Martin Luther King in exclusive Selma clip

Also in attendance was ex-Sugababe Jade Ewen, singer Ella Eyre and campaigner Doreen Lawrence.

The European premiere of Selma drew a big crowd after getting lots of buzz and nominations this award's season.

So far the film has won Best Original Song for Glory by John Legend and Common at the Golden Globes.

The film is up for Best Picture and Best Original Song at the Oscars, but controversially missed out on a nomination for David, who plays the US civil rights activist.

United: Director Ava DuVernay joins some of the cast, including Tom, Colman Domingo and David

Pretty in pink: Former Sugababes Jade Ewen looked lovely in a pink prom dress

Winter chic: Singer Ella Eyre wore a trendy black cape and over-the-knee leather boots

The movie centres on the civil rights marches from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama in 1965 led by Luther King Jnr, James Bevel, Hosea Williams and John Lewis.

Starring alongside Oyelowo is Tom Wilkinson as President Lyndon Johnson, Tim Roth as George Wallace, Carmen Ejogo as Coretta Scott King and Common as Bevel.

Talk show queen Oprah Winfrey has a small role in the movie as Annie Lee Cooper, who famously punched Selma Sheriff Jim Clark in Selma in January 1965.

Making a statement: The director Ava wore an unusual black and pink ensemble, while campaigner Doreen Lawrence also attended

Time for the fans: David signs autographs for film fans who braved the cold evening

Gritty: David as Martin Luther King Jnr in a scene from Selma

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Thursday, 12 February 2015