Lupita Nyong’o Candidly Discusses Healing After Sudden Split From Ex-Boyfriend
Academy Award winner Lupita Nyong’o recently opened up in a raw, candid interview about recovering from her devastating breakup last year with ex-boyfriend Selema “Sal” Masekela. Speaking with NET-A-PORTER’s digital magazine, The Walking Dead star reflected on her painful journey towards healing and self-discovery.
Lupita Nyong’o and Masekela, a sports broadcaster, went public with their relationship in 2020. A year later, the Us actress shocked fans by announcing their split in an Instagram post this past October. Lupita Nyong’o described the breakup as sudden and crushing.
In the new interview, Lupita Nyong’o admitted she had been “living in a lot of pain and heartbreak” following the split. This prompted her to re-evaluate her social media presence and carefully consider what she shares publicly.
“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,” she told PORTER. Lupita Nyong’o hoped to find a lesson in the experience and “be real about it.”
While the devastating split left her wary of relationships, Lupita Nyong’o ultimately believes “our purpose in life is to love” and she is open to dating again. However, the private star has decided future romances will remain out of the public eye.
Lupita Nyong’o said she only went public with Masekela because she felt “sure about it.” But now, she’s reverting to her past policy of keeping relationships private. “That was very, very sage of me. I’m going back to those days, by the way,” she asserted.
After rising to fame in 12 Years a Slave, Nyong’o has become one of Hollywood’s most acclaimed actresses. However, she has also faced immense pressure to share an illusory “perfect” life online. Her candid reflections demonstrate a commitment to authenticity rare for a star of her stature.
By opening up about heartbreak and healing, Nyong’o presents a more relatable, human side to her glamorous public image. She emerges as a role model for overcoming life’s inevitable challenges with grace, wisdom and emotional honesty.