Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Victoria’s Secret; Bruce Glikas/Getty Images; Swan Gallet/WWD via Getty Images
While racists continue to cry “anti-woke” tears over Lupita Nyong’o’s casting as Helen of Troy, a.k.a the most beautiful woman in the world, in the upcoming film, “The Odyssey,” we at The Root started thinking about a handful of other Black women who fit that same category.
Whether they’re “dark brown, dark-skinned, light-skinned, beige, fluorescent beige,” or any other shade of brown, Black women have long been the beauty blueprint, despite what mainstream media and movies have led you to believe. And since Helen of Troy was such a stunner that she is credited in Greek mythology with causing the start of the Trojan War, we’re providing you with this list of beautiful Black stars who could do this gorgeous fictional character justice.
Related: Lupita Nyong’o Claps Back at Racist The Odyssey Critics
Sanaa Lathan
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 30: Sanaa Lathan attends The American Heart Association’s Red Dress Collection Concert 2025 at Jazz at Lincoln Center on January 30, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by John Nacion/Getty Images)
It’s crazy to think that Sanaa Lathan has been this gorgeous all her life, but with that many years of glamorous experience, she should definitely be a contender for Helen of Troy.
Anok Yai
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 06: Anok Yai attends The 2024 Met Gala Celebrating “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 06, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/GA/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty Images)
Anok Yai’s out-of-this-world elegance is something even the best of our imaginations couldn’t conjure up. Picking her to portray Helen of Troy feels extremely apropos.
Deborah Ayorinde
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 30: Deborah Ayorinde attends Ebony Magazine’s Ebony’s Power 100 Gala at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on November 30, 2018 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/WireImage)
The very first time we saw Deborah Ayorinde in “Girls Trip,” we immediately fell in love. Do you see what a beauty she is? Give this woman everything, ASAP! And you can start with the label of “the most beautiful woman in the world.”
Nia Long
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 12: Nia Long attends the Stage 6 and Screen Gems world premiere of “Missing” at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Downtown Los Angeles on January 12, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)
What’s understood doesn’t have to be explained, and that’s exactly the case when it comes to Nia Long and her timeless fineness. This woman definitely could be cast as Helen of Troy. This isn’t up for debate.
Rihanna
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 24: Rihanna attends the “Valerian And The City Of A Thousand Planets” European Premiere at Cineworld Leicester Square on July 24, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images)
Do we really have to explain this one? It’s Rihanna, for crying out loud. Let’s move on.
Kelly Rowland
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 28: Kelly Rowland speaks onstage during the 2026 BET Awards at Peacock Theater on June 28, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Kelly Rowland told us a long time ago that she was gonna bump like this, and we believed her. But over the last several years, she’s been bumping higher and higher on the list of utterly gorgeous women. That’s why we’re tapping her as one of our picks for Helen of Troy.
Shannon Thornton
Shannon Thornton at Essence Black Women in Hollywood held at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on March 7, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images)
This one is for all my “P-Valley” folks. We would give Miss Mississippi our vote for the most beautiful woman in the world with the quickness! Look at the material!
Adut Akech
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 01: Adut Akech attends The King’s Trust 4th Annual Global Gala on May 01, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Cindy Ord/WireImage)
Adut Akech may have put her modeling career on pause to be a mom, but we all know she’s a “muva” whose face card slays regularly. Who else would be a better fit for Helen of Troy?
Leomie Anderson
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 25: Leomie Anderson attends the Amiri Menswear Spring/Summer 2027 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on June 25, 2026 in Paris, France. (Photo by Stephane Cardinale – Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)
It should be a crime that we don’t see model Leoomie Anderson out and about as much as we should! She’s a looker from head to toe and would certainly meet the criteria for “the most beautiful woman in the world.”
Olandria
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 28: Olandria attends the 2026 BET Awards at Peacock Theater on June 28, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Brianna Bryson/FilmMagic)
There’s a reason why Olandria Carthen skyrocketed from “Love Island” fame to a fashion week beauty. Just look at her! Who wouldn’t cast this face as “the most beautiful woman in the world?”
Yara Shahidi
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 11: Yara Shahidi attends the Kering Foundation’s Caring for Women dinner at The Pool on September 11, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
While Yara Shahidi has kept a relatively low profile recently, fans of “Black-ish” and “Grown-ish” already know how stylish and beautiful she is! Playing a young Helen of Troy would only make sense.
Lauren London
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 17: Lauren London attends the Los Angeles Premiere of Netflix’s “You People” at Regency Village Theatre on January 17, 2023, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)
While you can’t see them in this picture, Lauren London and her deep dimples have been making us give her the heart eyes since she came on the scene. It should be a no-brainer that this stunner made the list.
Tems
LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 01: Tems attends The Fashion Awards 2025 presented by Pandora at the Royal Albert Hall on December 01, 2025, in London, England. (Photo by Stephane Cardinale – Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)
Not only does Tems have a beautiful voice, but her face card doesn’t decline either! She looks like my Helen of Troy any day!
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