Lupita Nyong’o finally addresses longstanding rumors about her relationship with “Float” singer Janelle Monáe.
“She has magnetism that they were obviously picking up on,” Nyong’o told Rolling Stone for their cover story on Monáe.
Actress Lupita Nyong’o and Janelle Monáe met in 2014 at the annual Met Gala and have been close friends ever since. Nyong’o won her first Oscar for her supporting role in 12 Years a Slave. Meanwhile, Monáe was recognized as Variety’s 2014 Music Breakthrough Winner and received three Grammy nominations the year prior.
“This world is still extremely new to me and unbelievable,” Nyong’o said. “[Janelle] came up to me and just gave me the realest hug.
“I think we may have swayed to the music. She was just like, ‘I’m so proud of you, and just thank you for being you’.
“At some point, [Janelle] asked me for my phone, put her number in and said, ‘Let’s stay in touch’. She was like, ‘I really mean it. If you need anything, I’m here for you’.”
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The Black Panther star did not shy away from sharing her fondness for the singer and said she can see why people assume the two are dating.
“She has magnetism that they were obviously picking up on,” Nyong’o continued. “She is that enigmatic. I was not surprised. And I don’t mind being associated with her in any capacity.”
Fans have long-believed the two to be in a secret relationship, despite Nyong’o currently dating television host Selema Masekela. While she did not directly shut down the rumor, she seemed to hint that nothing is going on romantically between the two Hollywood stars.
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Janelle Monáe’s Private Life
Monáe prefers to keep their relationships private, a fact Nyong’o later hinted at in the interview.
“Just because you’re a close friend doesn’t mean you get to know everything about her. That’s what makes her interesting as an artist.”
The Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery star came out as nonbinary in 2022 during a chat on the Facebook Watch series Red Table Talk. “I just don’t see myself as a woman, solely, I feel all of my energy,” she said. She previously came out as pansexual in 2018.
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“I have a policy and agreement with myself, that is a part of my life I want to keep private,” Monáe told Rolling Stone.
She continued, “I can talk about my identity, I can talk about my sexuality. I can talk about all things Janelle Monáe without having to go into detail. It’s not necessary.”
Monáe’s upcoming album, The Age of Pleasure, will be released on June 9, 2023.
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