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Lupita Nyong’o is turning to friend Palmer Hefferan for support in the wake of her split from Selema Masekela.
In a recent Instagram post on Thursday, November 2, Nyong'o, who was going through a difficult time due to heartbreak, expressed her gratitude towards her friend Palmer. Palmer swiftly came to her side and provided support during the toughest moments as she adjusted to her new reality. She not only cooked delicious meals for Nyong'o but also suggested therapeutic activities to take her mind off things. Palmer empathized with her and made her laugh until tears of joy fell. Nyong'o mentioned how her friend's dedication never wavered, even going as far as helping her adopt her first pet, a cat named Yoyo. Every time she looks at and cuddles with Yoyo, Nyong'o is reminded of the selfless love her dear friend showed her.
The pair first met at drama school and quickly bonded over their shared passion for cooking. Nyong'o described their friendship as being like kindred spirits. She mentioned that their friendship is not about keeping score, but she is determined to make an effort. Last month, Nyong'o announced that she and Masekela have ended their relationship after dating for less than a year. She expressed the need to share a personal truth and publicly distance herself from someone she can no longer trust. She described her current state as a season of heartbreak, as her love was abruptly and devastatingly destroyed by deception.
Nyong’o admitted that she had the urge to retreat and take solace in the shadows until she regained her strength. However, she ultimately made the decision to be transparent about her emotions.
"I have made the choice to confront the pain, to develop the courage to embrace my life just as it is, and to trust that this difficult phase will eventually come to an end," she added. "They say that a vulnerable heart is what leads to fearlessness. I sincerely hope that this is true... I am sharing my experience in the hopes that it may serve someone else who is going through the clutches of heartbreak, and who may be tempted to avoid the pain and miss out on the lessons it can offer. #Breakup."
Lupita Nyong’o and Selema Masekela. Courtesy of Lupita Nyong'o/Instagram
She expressed her gratitude to her fans for their support as she enters the next phase of her life. In a now expired Instagram Story, she effusively thanked everyone for their kindness in response to her heartbreaking news. The words of encouragement have meant more to her than she expected, providing her with solace. Additionally, she finds comfort in the online community of people who have experienced similar romantic heartbreak.
Over the past month, Nyong'o has been seen in public multiple times as she heals from the emotional pain. Just one day before announcing her breakup, she attended a Janelle Monáe concert with Joshua Jackson. The 45-year-old actor, known for his role in Dawson's Creek, recently ended his marriage to Jodie Turner-Smith, whom he married in 2019.
Turner-Smith, 37, initiated the divorce proceedings in October, citing "irreconcilable differences" as the cause for their separation. She is currently seeking joint custody of their 3-year-old daughter.
Although neither of them have publicly discussed their breakup, an exclusive source informed us last month that Jackson was taken by surprise when the divorce documents were filed by the Queen & Slim actress.
"They encountered typical challenges that many couples face, particularly when simultaneously navigating demanding acting careers and caring for a child. Joshua seemed oblivious to the extent of their problems and Jodie's deep unhappiness," revealed an anonymous source. "Their close circle of friends is puzzled, struggling to comprehend the root cause of this situation."
In a parallel account, a different source disclosed to Us that Turner-Smith made the difficult decision to terminate the relationship because she refused to accept anything less than genuine contentment."