Lupita Nyong'o's Current Relationship Status: Why She Confirmed She Is Single After Joshua Jackson Split

Lupita Nyong'o, the Oscar-winning actress known for her powerful roles in 12 Years a Slave, Black Panther, and Us, is currently single. As of December 2025, the star has publicly confirmed that she is no longer romantically involved with her most recent partner, Canadian-American actor Joshua Jackson, choosing instead to focus on her career and personal well-being. This news follows a high-profile, yet private, whirlwind romance that began shortly after both actors experienced public breakups.

The intense public curiosity surrounding Lupita Nyong'o's love life stems from her tendency to keep her personal relationships fiercely private, making any official confirmation of a partner or a split a major news event. Her most recent confirmed relationship was with Joshua Jackson, which captured the attention of Hollywood watchers, especially given the rapid timeline of their coupling and subsequent separation.

The Last Confirmed Partner: Joshua Jackson's Biography

Lupita Nyong'o's most recent public partner was actor Joshua Jackson. Their relationship made headlines across late 2023 and 2024, becoming one of Hollywood’s most talked-about pairings before their eventual split.

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• Full Name: Joshua Carter Jackson
• Date of Birth: June 11, 1978
• Age: 47 (as of late 2025)
• Place of Birth: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
• Nationality: Canadian and American
• Occupation: Actor
• Known For: Pacey Witter on the hit teen drama Dawson's Creek, Peter Bishop on the science fiction series Fringe, and Cole Lockhart on the drama The Affair.
• Career Highlights: Jackson began his career as a child actor, notably starring in The Mighty Ducks film series. His role on Dawson's Creek established him as a teen idol in the late 1990s. More recently, he has received critical acclaim for his work in limited series like Dr. Death.

Jackson’s relationship with Lupita Nyong'o followed his divorce from actress Jodie Turner-Smith. The two were first linked in October 2023, and their public appearances together in the following months seemed to confirm the romance, though they rarely spoke about it in interviews.

The Whirlwind Romance: Lupita Nyong'o and Joshua Jackson's Timeline (2023-2024)

The relationship between Lupita Nyong'o and Joshua Jackson was characterized by its discreet nature and high-profile timing. Both actors were emerging from significant, public relationships when they began seeing each other.

The Start: Late 2023

Rumors began swirling in October 2023, shortly after Jackson’s wife, Jodie Turner-Smith, filed for divorce and just weeks after Nyong'o announced her own breakup with Selema Masekela. They were spotted together at a Janelle Monáe concert, fueling initial speculation. Their romance seemed to be confirmed when they were photographed holding hands in December 2023, signaling a new chapter for both stars.

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A Private Year: 2024

Throughout 2024, the couple maintained a relatively low profile, preferring to keep their relationship out of the relentless Hollywood spotlight. They were occasionally seen together at events and on casual outings, but there were no major red carpet debuts or public declarations of love, upholding Lupita's preference for privacy in her dating life. The relationship was reportedly serious, with the two spending significant time together, blending their lives after their respective previous splits.

The Confirmed Split: Late 2024

The first signs of a split emerged in late 2024. Lupita Nyong'o appeared to confirm she was no longer dating Joshua Jackson during an interview with Harper's Bazaar UK and later while promoting her film The Wild Robot. She spoke about focusing on her personal life and her cat, Yoyo, in a way that signaled her return to the single life. The confirmation made it clear that the relationship had quietly ended in the fall of 2024, marking the end of one of the most surprising celebrity pairings of the year.

The 'Deception' Breakup: Lupita's Relationship with Selema Masekela

Before Joshua Jackson, Lupita Nyong'o was in a relationship with Selema Masekela, a well-known TV host, sports commentator, and musician. This relationship was significant because Lupita took the rare step of publicly confirming their relationship with a joyous, choreographed video on Instagram in December 2022.

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The Timeline with Selema Masekela

The two had actually met years earlier on a flight in 2016, but their romance didn't blossom until much later. They became Instagram official in late 2022, with Lupita calling Masekela her "love" and the relationship appearing strong and public.

The Shocking Announcement

The relationship came to an abrupt end in October 2023. Lupita Nyong'o released a candid and powerful statement on social media announcing the breakup, citing "deception" as the reason for the split. She expressed deep sadness that the love she once had was "suddenly and devastatingly extinguished by deception." This unusually frank admission from the private actress was widely praised for its honesty and courage, highlighting her commitment to authenticity, even through heartbreak.

Other Key Figures in Lupita Nyong'o's Dating History

While Lupita Nyong'o keeps her life private, she has been linked to several other high-profile figures over the years, further fueling public interest in her romantic life and showcasing a pattern of dating creative and talented individuals.

K'Naan (2013-2014)

The Somali-Canadian poet and musician K'Naan was one of the first individuals Lupita was publicly linked to after her Oscar win for 12 Years a Slave. Their relationship was reported to have lasted for about a year, from 2013 to 2014.

Jared Leto (Rumored)

For years, a persistent rumor has linked Lupita Nyong'o with actor and musician Jared Leto. The two have a famously close and affectionate friendship, often seen together at industry events, which sparked endless speculation among fans and the media. While many hoped for a romance, the two have consistently maintained that they are just close friends.

Janelle Monáe (Rumored)

Rumors of a relationship between Lupita Nyong'o and singer Janelle Monáe have surfaced multiple times, particularly after they were seen getting close at the Met Gala in 2019. Like the rumors with Leto, these have never been officially confirmed by either party, suggesting a strong, supportive friendship rather than a romantic connection.

Joseph Quinn (Rumored)

More recently, during the press tour for A Quiet Place: Day One, Lupita Nyong'o was briefly rumored to have connected with her co-star, Joseph Quinn. These rumors quickly faded, further underscoring how often the public attempts to pair the acclaimed actress with her talented colleagues.

Lupita Nyong'o's Focus on Self-Love and Career

Following her split from Joshua Jackson, Lupita Nyong'o has made it clear that her focus is on her work and her own personal peace. She continues to be a powerhouse in Hollywood, taking on challenging roles and advocating for important causes. Her honesty about the pain of her previous breakup with Selema Masekela and her current choice to be single highlights a commitment to emotional well-being over simply being in a relationship.

For fans curious about "Lupita Nyong'o's boyfriend," the most accurate answer is that she is currently enjoying her single status. The actress remains a celebrated figure, proving that her life is rich and fulfilling, regardless of her romantic partnership status.