Kenyan-Mexican actress Lupita Nyong’o took to social media to announce her split from her ex-boyfriend Selema Masekela, explaining that their relationship was cut short by “deception.”
Per TMZ, the Black Panther star announced her break-up from Masekela, whose father is legendary South African jazz musician Hugh Masekela, after she was spotted with fellow actor Joshua Jackson and friends during a night out. As previously reported by Face2Face Africa, actress Jodie Turner-Smith also recently filed for divorce from Jackson.
Nyongo’o in the Instagram post on Thursday started off by acknowledging the current happenings in the world and commiserating with “those who are deeply suffering.”
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She then shared details of her break-up with Masekela. “At this moment, it is necessary for me to share a personal truth and publicly dissociate myself from someone I can no longer trust…,” the 40-year-old wrote.
“I find myself in a season of heartbreak because of a love suddenly and devastatingly extinguished by deception,” she added. “I am tempted to run into the shadows and hide, only to return to the light when I have regained my strength enough for me to say, ‘Whatever, my life is better this way.’”
Despite her current state, the 12 Years a Slave actress said she’s confident about pulling through. “But I am reminded that the magnitude of the pain I am feeling is equal to the measure of my capacity for love. And so, I am choosing to face the pain, cultivating the courage to meet my life exactly as it is, and trusting that this too shall pass,” she wrote.
Nyongo’o also explained why she decided to share her story, writing, “The promise, they say, is that a tender heart is what gives birth to fearlessness. I hope it’s true… I share this to keep it 100, and hoping that the knowledge of my experience might be useful to someone else out there experiencing the grip of heartbreak who is poised to try and escape from the pain and miss out on the wisdom that comes from it.”
Nyongo’o has since deleted all her Instagram photos of her and Masekela, TMZ reported. Several colleagues in the industry as well as her fans responded to her post with words of encouragement and support.
“We lift you up with love and sisterhood. Your miracles are all around you. Let us count them in confidence and in faith,” When They See Us director Ava DuVernay commented.
“Trust God. He wants better for you. All lessons are blessings especially the painful ones. This too shall pass. Warmest of hugs. Be kind to you as you heal. I always say whenever i have a break up ‘lucky me, i get to love ME again. I missed you me’. Go love on you woman,” comedian and actor Marlon Wayans also wrote.
