Lupita Nyong’o Opens Up About How a Heartbreaking Breakup Changed Her Approach to Dating

Lupita Nyong o Reflects on Harrowing Selema Masekela Split Announcement

Lupita Nyong’o. Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures

Lupita Nyong’o wanted to be open with her fans about her breakup with Selema Masekela, but it was a difficult decision for her.

In her Glamour cover story published on Monday, June 3, Nyong’o, 41, shared, "Honestly, the thought of having to update people one at a time was going to be harrowing." She explained, "I had chosen to make our relationship public, so I also wanted to share its end with the world."

She continued, "I knew that if I announced it or shared it with the world, there would be a reaction and I would have to face the consequences."

Nyong'o made her relationship with Masekela, 52, public in December 2022. However, less than a year later, the actress revealed their breakup in an Instagram post in October 2023.

Nyong’o shared a personal truth and publicly distanced herself from someone she could no longer trust. She expressed feeling heartbroken due to a love that was suddenly and devastatingly ended by deception.

Reflecting on her Instagram post, Nyong’o mentioned to Glamour that there are times to be open and times not to be, and she chose to be open at that moment. She also shared that after her split, she felt severely broken and adopted a cat named Yoyo, who helped her through a very difficult time.

Lupita Nyong o Reflects on Harrowing Selema Masekela Split Announcement

Selema Masekela. Amanda Edwards/WireImage

Nyong’o shared, "I'm pleased with my past actions, but I no longer wish to continue." She expressed her desire to keep certain aspects of her personal life private, indicating a shift in her approach.

Despite her intention to maintain a low profile in her dating life, Nyong’o appears to have found happiness. It was confirmed in December 2023 that she is in a relationship with Joshua Jackson, who recently divorced Jodie Turner-Smith. (Jackson and Turner-Smith ended their four-year marriage in October 2023.)

Joshua and Lupita have only been dating for a short time, according to a source who spoke to Us before the start of the new year. They are trying to keep their relationship as private as they can.

They first met in 2018 while both were at the Studio 54 Theatre in New York City to see Children of a Lesser God, but at that time, their relationship was not romantic.

"They were friends before they started dating, so they have a strong foundation for their relationship," a source told Us. "It's only been a few weeks, but things are going really well for them so far."

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