Lupita Nyong’o, a Kenyan-Mexican actress, turned to social media to announce her split from ex-boyfriend Selema Masekela, stating that their relationship was cut short due to “deception.”
According to TMZ, the Black Panther star revealed her split from Masekela, whose father is famed South African jazz singer Hugh Masekela, after being caught out with fellow actor Joshua Jackson and friends. As previously reported, Jackson’s ex-wife, actress Jodie Turner-Smith, has also filed for divorce.
Nyongo’o began her Instagram message on Thursday by addressing current events in the world and expressing sympathy for “those who are deeply suffering.”
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 health, the 12 Years a Slave actress expressed confidence in her ability to recover. “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.”
According to TMZ, Nyongo’o has subsequently erased all of her Instagram images of herself and Masekela. Several industry colleagues and fans responded to her article 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.