Lupita Nyong’o responds to rumors that she is dating Janelle Monáe, her “best friend.”

Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o has addressed the persistent rumors that she was having an affair with her best friend, musician Janelle Monáe.

After Nyong’o won her Oscar for 12 Years a Slave, the two first met at the 2014 Met Gala. They bonded fast and over the years, rumors of their romantic involvement have lingered.

Despite refusing to absolutely refute the romance allegations, Nyong’o stated in a recent cover story for Rolling Stone that she completely understood why people would believe that they were romantically linked.

Nyong’o recalled how she first met Monàe while she was still a newcomer to Hollywood.

“She has magnetism that they were obviously picking up on,” Nyong’o began.

“She is that enigmatic. I was not surprised. And I don’t mind being associated with her in any capacity.”

“This world is still extremely new to me and unbelievable,” she continued. “[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’.”

Nyong’o acknowledged that despite their tight friendship, she still doesn’t “know everything” about Monáe.

“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.”

Selema Masekela, a television host, and Lupita are presently dating.

On the other hand, Monáe has consistently supported the LGBTQ+ community and came out as pansexual in 2018 and non-binary in 2022.

When it comes to their private lives, they are fiercely private despite being outspoken about their sexual orientation and gender identity.

“I have a policy and agreement with myself, that is a part of my life I want to keep private,” Monáe told Rolling Stone.

“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.”