Rising Star Wars! The Force Awakens actor John Boyega beams as he beats Brie Larson and Dakota Johnson to take home breakthrough award at the BAFTAs
He went from unknown actor to superstar-in-the-making thanks to his leading role in Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens.
And John Boyega cemented his place in the film industry on Sunday as he picked up the EE Rising Star award at the glitzy BAFTAs.
The 23-year-old beamed with delight as he beat out competition from more established stars including 50 Shades of Grey's Dakota Johnson and Brie Larson, who was named Best Actress at the prizegiving for her turn in Room.
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Rising Star (Wars) John Boyega cemented his place in the film industry on Sunday as he picked up the EE Rising Star award at the glitzy BAFTAs
Other nominees included Taron Egerton and Bel Powley.
Taking to the stage, he said: 'First and foremost I want to thank God for this moment.
'Guys, I haven't been doing this for a long time, it's a fluke! I'm gonna share this award with all the young dreamers who are determined, who are hard working, who are quite frankly amazing. This is also for you. Blessings for your path and God bless.'
The star certainly looked like an A-list as he hit the red carpet in a dapper black velvet jacket and bow tie as he greeted his growing fan base waiting to see the celebrity guests.
Speaking of his meteoric rise to fame, the Londoner exclaimed on the red carpet: 'I was in South West London just this morning buying some bread and now I've put on a tux and here I am.'
Spencer McHugh, Director of Brand at EE, said: 'All of the 2016 EE Rising Star nominees have shown exceptional talent – starring in some of the biggest films of the last year.
Bright future: Boyega joins the likes of previous recipients Will Poulter, Tom Hardy, Kristen Stewart, Noel Clarke, Eva Green and James McAvoy to win the prize
'For the dreamers': John dedicated the prize to other hopeful actors while admitting his recent success was a 'fluke'
Dapper gent: The star certainly looked like an A-list as he hit the red carpet in a dapper black velvet jacket and bow tie
Popular: The London lad looked thrilled to mingle with his growing fanbase as he arrived at the prizegiving
Lost out: The 23-year-old beat out competition from more established stars including 50 Shades of Grey's Dakota Johnson and an absent Brie Larson, who was named Best Actress at the prizegiving for her turn in Room
Breakthough: Other nominees included Taron Egerton, who starred alongside Tom Hardy in Legend and Bel Powley, who played Princess Margaret in TV drama A Royal Night Out
'Any one of them is deserving of the title but the public have spoken, and we are very pleased for John Boyega. His star has truly risen.'
Boyega joins the likes of previous recipients Will Poulter, Tom Hardy, Kristen Stewart, Noel Clarke, Eva Green and James McAvoy.
Boyega had his screen debut in the critically acclaimed BBC series, Becoming Human before playing the lead in cult sci-fi film, Attack the Block.
The jury who selected the five nominees from the hundreds suggested by BAFTA members included actress Olivia Colman, Jonathan Ross and a host of leading industry experts including producer and jury chair, Marc Samuelson; film critic James King; Philomena producer, Gabrielle Tana; Pirates of the Caribbean and Testament of Youth casting director, Lucy Bevan; director of Harry Potter and Four Weddings and a Funeral, Mike Newell, and renowned casting director for Star Wars Episode VII and Nina Gold, alongside a group of esteemed film and arts journalists.
Next generation: Boyega joins the likes of previous recipients Will Poulter, Tom Hardy, Kristen Stewart, Noel Clarke, Eva Green and James McAvoy to win the prize.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-3447038/John-Boyega-wins-EE-Rising-Star-award-BAFTAs.html#ixzz40Brpf5LA
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