Speculation about a romance between Lupita Nyong’o and Janelle Monáe has been circulating since their encounter at the 2014 Met Gala. Now, Nyong’o is setting the record straight and addressing the dating rumors that have followed them throughout the years.

In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, the Oscar-winning actress finally spoke out about the ongoing speculation surrounding her relationship with Monáe. While Nyong’o confirmed her romantic involvement with boyfriend Selema Masekela in 2022, she expressed no surprise at the rumors linking her to Monáe.

“She has magnetism that they were obviously picking up on,” Nyong’o revealed to E! News. “She is that enigmatic. People are curious about enigmatic people.”

The actress further emphasized that she doesn’t mind being associated with Monáe in any capacity, indicating the deep bond and admiration they share.

Nyong’o didn’t shy away from praising Monáe’s talents, describing her as “extremely gifted” and highlighting her versatility as a performer. According to Nyong’o, Monáe’s spirit and openness create an intimate connection onscreen, allowing her to seamlessly transition between different artistic endeavors with masterful skill.

“It’s built into her spirit,” she said. “Her openness creates intimacy onscreen. It’s really cool to see her move from one thing to another and do it with such mastery.”

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Despite their closeness, Nyong’o acknowledged that there are still aspects of Monáe’s life that remain private and undisclosed, even to a close friend like herself. She expressed appreciation for Monáe’s enigmatic nature, recognizing that it adds to her allure as an artist.

“Just because you’re a close friend of hers doesn’t mean you get to know everything about her. I think that’s what makes her interesting as an artist,” Nyong’o said.

In her own words, Monáe explained that she has made a conscious decision to keep certain parts of her life private. While she is open about her identity and sexuality, she believes that she doesn’t owe anyone a detailed account of her personal relationships.

“I’m not obligated to share my story,” she said. “Nobody’s obligated.”

Both Nyong’o and Monáe emphasize the importance of personal boundaries and the freedom to choose what aspects of their lives they wish to share.