Lupita Nyong’o comes clean on her relationship with Janelle Monáe
Acclaimed actress and Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o has addressed the ongoing rumours surrounding her relationship with singer and actress Janelle Monáe. Lupita, who is currently dating TV presenter Selema Masekela, shed light on her deep friendship with Monáe and explained why their bond has sparked speculation of a romantic involvement.
The two influential women first crossed paths at the 2014 Met Gala, shortly after Lupita won an Oscar for her riveting performance in 12 Years a Slave. Reflecting on that fateful meeting, Lupita opened up to Rolling Stone magazine about the genuine connection they made. She described how Monáe approached her and gave her a heartfelt hug, expressing her pride and appreciation for Lupita’s authentic self.
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Monáe, who is known for her openness about her identity, revealed her pansexuality in 2018 and later expressed that she is non-binary. Lupita acknowledged Monáe’s appeal, which led to rumours of their alleged romantic involvement. She attested to Monáe’s enigmatic aura and expressed her lack of surprise at the speculation, stating that she doesn’t mind being associated with Monáe in any way.
While clarifying that their friendship is purely platonic, Lupita emphasised that there are aspects of Monáe’s life that remain private. She highlighted the artist’s fascinating nature and her ability to maintain a sense of mystery that contributes to her artistry.
Despite being close friends, Lupita said there are still things she doesn’t know about Monáe.
“Just because you’re a close friend of hers doesn’t mean you know everything about her. I think that’s what makes her interesting as an artist,” Lupita said.
Monáe’s new album, ‘The Age of Pleasure’, is out on 9 June.
It’s not clear when Lupita started dating Masekela, but he had expressed his infatuation with Nyong’o in a 2016 tweet. The tweet revealed that Masekela found himself sitting behind Lupita on a flight, asking Twitter users for advice on the best opening line. Their connection eventually blossomed, leading to their current relationship.
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