Academy award Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong’o has finally addressed online speculation about her relationship with musician Janelle Monae.
The actress, who has been friends with Monae since the 2014 Met Gala said in an interview with Rolling Stone magazine, the actress said that she can understand why.
“She has magnetism that they were obviously picking up on,” Nyong’o said of the speculation. “She is that enigmatic. I was not surprised. And I don’t mind being associated with her in any capacity.”
The rumours began in 2014 when the pair were photographed hugging on the steps of the Met.
Speaking of the hug, Lupita said, “[Janelle] came up to me and just gave me the realest hug,” Nyong’o said. “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.’”
Nyong’o had just won an Oscar for her performance in the Steven McQueen movie “12 Years A Slave.”
Further reiterating that they are still close friends, she said that there are things she still doesn’t know about Monae.
“Just because you’re a close friend of hers doesn’t mean you get to know everything about her,” Nyong’o said. “I think that’s what makes her interesting as an artist,” Lupita said.
Nyong’o is currently dating television host and designer Selema Masekela.