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Lupita Nyong’o and Joshua Jackson’s romance captivated fans from the start. The Oscar-winning actress and the Dawson’s Creek alum were spotted together at various high-profile events, fueling rumours of a blossoming relationship. But now, less than a year after the two first made headlines as a couple, Nyong’o has confirmed that they have parted ways.
In a recent interview with Harper’s Bazaar UK, Lupita opened up about life after heartbreak, focusing on self-reflection, healing, and her newfound love—her cat, Yoyo. With this revelation, their whirlwind romance and subsequent breakup are now a significant chapter in the lives of these two stars.
The Love Story
Lupita Nyong’o and Joshua Jackson first sparked romance rumours in October 2023 when they were seen attending a Janelle Monáe concert in Los Angeles. Although the couple remained tight-lipped about their relationship at the time, the public interest in their pairing grew rapidly.
Fans were further intrigued in March 2024, when the couple celebrated Nyong’o’s 41st birthday with a romantic getaway to Mexico. Photos from the trip showed the couple enjoying a beachside vacation, filled with affection and PDA, seemingly confirming their relationship. This vacation marked the first time their romance had been captured so openly, solidifying the public’s interest in their relationship.
Jackson, best known for his roles in Dawson’s Creek and Dr. Death, had recently come out of a marriage to model Jodie Turner-Smith. Turner-Smith filed for divorce in 2023 after four years of marriage, and the former couple shares a 4-year-old daughter. Jackson’s new relationship with Nyong’o seemed to offer a fresh start for both him and the Black Panther actress.
Lupita’s Heartbreak
However, the romance was not to last. In her interview with Harper’s Bazaar UK, Nyong’o confirmed that she is now single, opening up about her decision to step back from relationships. While she didn’t delve into specifics about the breakup with Jackson, she expressed how her beloved orange tomcat, Yoyo, has helped her through the healing process.
“My love for my cat is singular,” Nyong’o said of her feline companion. “If I’m ever so lucky to be in a romantic relationship again, it’ll be because of him.”
Nyong’o explained how Yoyo, whom she adopted in October 2023 from Best Friends Animal Society, helped her keep her heart open after experiencing romantic disappointment. “I was ready to shut that door and lock it and bolt it. He has ensured that my heart remains open,” she shared.
This openness reflects a profound shift for the actress, who, just a year prior, had experienced heartbreak following her breakup with sports commentator Selema Masekela. In an emotional Instagram post in October 2023, she revealed the end of that relationship, citing betrayal as the reason for their split.
“It is necessary for me to share a personal truth and publicly dissociate myself from someone I can no longer trust,” she wrote at the time. “I find myself in a season of heartbreak because of a love suddenly and devastatingly extinguished by deception.”
Despite the pain, Nyong’o is using her experiences as opportunities for growth and self-discovery. “You go through a lot of like, ‘Why? What were the signs? Why didn’t I see them? And if I did, why didn’t I act on them?’” she reflected. “Also, replaying moments and thinking, ‘Oh, I felt this apprehension, and I ignored it. Why did I ignore it?’”
A New Chapter: Life Out of the Spotlight
As she moves forward, Lupita has made the conscious decision to keep her personal life out of the public eye, acknowledging that being in the spotlight has made healing more difficult. She explained that going through heartbreak privately is hard enough without the added pressure of public scrutiny.
“When the world has an image of you in relation to someone else, it prolongs the healing process because the memory is emblazoned in the public domain,” Nyong’o noted.
While her previous relationships played out under the gaze of the media, Lupita is now focusing on keeping her personal life more private. She believes this is essential for her healing and moving on from the pain of past relationships.
Yet, she remains hopeful for the future, embracing her capacity for love and choosing to face the pain with courage. “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 shared.
Moving Forward
Though Lupita Nyong’o’s romantic journey with Joshua Jackson may have come to an end, it has provided her with a chance to learn about herself and what she wants in the future. The lessons she has taken from her relationships have shaped her approach to love and life, and her resilience shines through in her reflections.
For now, her focus is on personal growth, healing, and, of course, Yoyo, her steadfast companion. While her love story with Jackson may no longer be a part of her life, Nyong’o’s journey of self-discovery continues, leaving the door open for new possibilities in the future.
As she eloquently put it: “It’s hard enough to go through heartbreak privately, but I’m learning to embrace the lessons, stay open to love, and trust that everything has its time.”