Skip To...
Lupita Nyong’o and Selema Masekela made the headlines in December 2022 when they went public with their romance. In the following months, social media users witnessed the beautiful relationship between the duo, noting how perfect they were for each other. Unfortunately, a few months after announcing their romance, the A Quiet Place actress and Masekela parted ways. The Black Panther star announced the sad news in an emotional and cryptic post on Instagram in October 2023. Amid the heartbreaking revelation, Lupita Nyong’o’s former boyfriend is yet to break his silence on the split. In the meantime, here is a look inside the former couple’s relationship timeline.
When Did Lupita Nyong’o and Selema Masekela Meet?
Lupita Nyong’o and Selema Masekela first crossed paths in 2016; it was love at first sight for the latter. Apparently, Lupita Nyong’o’s former boyfriend was seated behind the actress during a flight to Los Angeles. When he couldn’t find the right opener to start a conversation with the star, the TV host took to Twitter to crowdsource ideas.
“Hypothetically speaking of course…let’s say you’re seated behind Lupita Nyong’o on an airplane, what would be your opening line?” Masekela tweeted.
A few minutes later, the sports analyst sought more opinions, tweeting:
“Anyone comes up with a good opener for me and Lupita Nyong’o, send em. Cause I’m really sittin’ right behind her on the flight. #stumped.”
Whether Masekela took the suggestions from his followers remains unknown. However, at some point, he seemingly came up with a line that worked since the duo dated.
Lupita Nyong’o and Selema Masekela Become Instagram Official
While Nyong’o and Masekela met in 2016, it wasn’t until December 23, 2022, that the pair became Instagram official. The actress, who starred in Black Panther, hopped on a popular trend to announce her relationship in a now-deleted Instagram post, which she captioned:
“We just click 💘 @selema #thisismylove #nuffsaid!”
In the fun clip, the duo changed outfits as they snapped their fingers side by side to Iniko and Reuel Williams’s The King’s Affirmation. They started off in blue and white robes with fluffy slippers before transitioning into matching purple cheetah-print swimsuits.
At the end of the reel, Nyong’o appeared in a sparkly orange dress while Masekela dazzled in a black suit and orange undershirt. Lupita Nyong’o and Selema Masekela eventually broke out of the trend to start free dancing at the end of the reel. Lupita Nyong’o’s boyfriend also shared the same reel, captioning his:
“Hearts are synched. My whole and actual love.”
Lupita Nyong’o and Selema Masekela Purchase a House Together
A few days after becoming Instagram official, Nyong’o and Masekela purchased a mansion in Los Angeles together. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the pair closed the deal at $4 million. The property was custom-built in 2014 and features four bedrooms and five bathrooms. Covering almost 4,300 square feet, the three-story mansion also boasts floor-to-ceiling glass walls. It has a living room with a cozy fireplace and an outside entertainment area, including a fountain, firepit, and kitchen set up.
Lupita Nyong’o Celebrates Her Boyfriend’s Birthday
In August 2023, Lupita Nyong’o’s boyfriend clocked 52, and The Woman King actress marked the occasion with a since-deleted social media post. Taking to Instagram, Nyong’o posted a fun video featuring the celebrant dancing in various situations, with Yung Wylin’s Good Energy set in the background. She also posted two photos of the couple. Nyong’o accompanied the clip and snaps with a lovely caption. She began by describing her man as a sunshine human.
“And THEN…the universe saw it fit to bring this Sunshine Human ☀ into my orbit, and this day marks his introduction to life,” Nyong’o began.
She shared that every day was full of energy and good reasons to dance with Masekela as her playmate.
“Happy Birthday, mi amor!” she concluded.
An excited Masekela couldn’t hold his words back as he rushed to the comments section with a response. He wrote:
“sneaky, mi amor. Luckiest man alive. My heart is smiling wide.”
Lupita Nyong’o Announces Her Split From Selema Masekela
Nyong’o left fans heartbroken on October 19, 2023, when she announced her split from Masekela. The Hollywood icon took to her Instagram page with a lengthy post shared via text slides. Nyong’o began by acknowledging that there were many more important things going on in the world, and her thoughts were with those deeply affected. The actress continued, stressing the necessity to share a personal truth and publicly detach herself from someone she could no longer trust. The Emmy Award winner added:
“I find myself in a season of heartbreak because of a love suddenly and devastatingly extinguished by deception.”
Furthermore, Nyong’o explained that she felt the urge to “run into shadows and hide” amid the heartbreak. However, she wrote:
“I am reminded that the magnitude of the pain I am feeling is equal to the measure of my capacity for love.”
In addition, Nyong’o shared that she was choosing to face the pain and trusting that it would pass, too. Ultimately, she relayed that her purpose in sharing the personal news was to keep it real and encourage someone experiencing similar pain.
“Let us face our pain so we don’t spread it,” Nyong’o finished.
Deeper details about the breakup remain unknown at this time. In the meantime, fans have continued to send encouraging messages to Nyong’o.
