Lupita Nyong’o Shoots Down Rumors She’s Dating Janelle Monáe

Lupita Nyong’o is clearing up a rumor swirling about her love life.

According to the ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ star she isn’t dating fellow actress Janelle Monáe, but she’s “not surprised” that she’s been linked to the “Lipstick Lover” singer.

“She has magnetism that they were obviously picking up on,” Oscar winning actress told Rolling Stone about Monáe, who identifies as nonbinary. “She is that enigmatic. People are curious about enigmatic people.”

Nyong’o and Monáe initially met at the 2014 Met Gala, and their immediate closeness ended up sparking dating rumors.

“I don’t mind being associated with her in any capacity,” the actress said. “It’s built into her spirit. Her openness creates intimacy onscreen. It’s really cool to see her move from one thing to another and do it with such mastery.”

Lupita is however in a relationship … with TV host and singer Selema Masekela. The duo made their relationship Instagram official in December 2022. In the post, the two share various coordinating outfits with the sweet caption, “We just click!”

 

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Meanwhile Monáe is gearing up to release her long-awaited album, The Age of Pleasure, out June 9 via Wondaland Arts Society / Atlantic Records. The release will be her first studio album since 2018’s Grammy-nominated Dirty Computer.

The star also opened up to Rolling Stone about shedding expectations of being a queer icon. “I’m not obligated to share my story,” the star said for the cover story of the June 2023 issue. “Nobody’s obligated. But I do think it’s powerful for me to talk and give a name to some of these things.”