Lupita Nyong’o bravely speaks out about the “pain and heartbreak” she silently endured during her breakup.
Despite her trials, the acclaimed actress appeared to end last year on a positive note, seen engaging in some PDA with rumored new beau Joshua Jackson.
Lupita Nyong’o Gets Candid About Her Breakup With Ex-boyfriend Selema Masekela
In December 2022, Nyong’o and her former partner took to Instagram to publicly confirm their relationship. However, the exact timeline of their romance remained shrouded in mystery. Just two months later, in October, the Oscar-winning actress disclosed the end of their relationship.
Fast forward to now, Nyong’o decided to delve into her decision to share her relationship status on social media. Reflecting on her choice, the 40-year-old pointed out her emotional state during the difficult period in her life. In her words, she admitted:
“I was living in a lot of pain and heartbreak. I looked at the environment of my social media and thought I don’t want to be a part of this illusion that everything is always coming up roses.”
This led her to recognize the value of confronting her reality and seeking lessons within her struggles rather than masking them. Despite the upheaval, Nyong’o remained optimistic about love’s potential.
“Our purpose in life is to love. And so you have to get back in it,” she affirmed, expressing her hope for the future. However, she also hinted at a shift in her approach, acknowledging the possibility of keeping her romantic life more private moving forward, per NET-A-PORTER.
The Hollywood star’s announcement of the breakup on Instagram in October last year sent shockwaves through her fan base. In her statement, she candidly addressed the end of her relationship with Masekela, signaling a new chapter of healing and growth.
While Nyong’o did not explicitly disclose the specifics of what led to the demise of their relationship, she hinted at feelings of betrayal and deception on the TV host’s part.
“At this moment, it is necessary for me to share a personal truth and publicly dissociate myself from someone I can no longer trust,” she noted. The “12 Years a Slave” actress expressed her pain and devastation over the sudden loss of love, which she mentioned was “devastatingly extinguished by deception.”
Despite the temptation to retreat into solitude, Nyong’o urged others experiencing similar heartbreak not to “escape from the pain” but to embrace it as a source of “wisdom.”
The “Get Out” star emphasized her decision to confront the pain she was experiencing head-on. Acknowledging the difficulty of the situation, she stated, “And so, I am choosing to face the pain, cultivating the courage to meet my life exactly as it is, and trusting that this too shall pass. The promise, they say, is that a tender heart is what gives birth to fearlessness.”
Lupita Nyong’o And Joshua Jackson Confirmed Relationship With Public Outing
Following a discreet grocery store outing, The Blast reported that the once-secretive couple were taking their love public. Their journey from friendship to romance began to unfold in October, following their respective splits from former partners.
At their Joshua Tree outing, Nyong’o confidently sported vibrant yellow pants paired with a playful white top bearing the reassuring message “It’s okay to cry.” To top off her outfit, she added a splash of color with a neon green beanie and casually tied a yellow sweatshirt around her waist, exuding undeniable charm.
Meanwhile, Jackson effortlessly coordinated his attire with the “Black Panther” star’s ensemble, opting for a beanie, a white long-sleeve shirt, and brown pants.
In a conversation with the Daily Mail, an insider revealed the evolution of their relationship. They shared, “Things have slowly turned to romance between the two. They have been amazing friends for a long time and Josh didn’t want to ruin that.”
While there were initial concerns about jeopardizing their friendship, the source noted that Nyong’o and Jackson embraced this new chapter with open hearts, solidifying their connection.
The source added, “But as they’ve hung out more and more and dealt with their breakups, dealing with it together has added another level to their friendship. Now it is a physical relationship. They are a couple.”