Lupita Nyong’o Reacts To Janelle Monáe Dating Rumor

Lupita Nyong’o and Janelle Monáe have been friends for years but many people are still trying to pin them as romantic partners. Nyong’o addressed the rumor in Monáe’s Rolling Stone cover story. “She has magnetism that they were obviously picking up on,” Nyong’o told the publication. “She is that enigmatic. People are curious about enigmatic people.”

“I don’t mind being associated with her in any capacity,” Nyong’o said of the Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery actress, who publicly came out in 2018 as pansexual. The Black Panther actress continued to sing the praises of the “Lipstick Lover” crooner.

“It’s built into her spirit,” Nyong’o told the magazine. “Her openness creates intimacy onscreen. It’s really cool to see her move from one thing to another and do it with such mastery.”

RELATED: Janelle Monáe's Rolling Stone Cover: ‘I’m Much Happier' Topless

However, Nyong’o is currently dating Selema Masekela, who is a television personality. She confirmed she was dating Masekela in an Instagram post from December 2022. Monáe has been making headlines for their topless single cover for “Lipstick Lover,” and their NSFW video celebrating their album release. In their Rolling Stone cover they revealed that that’s when their most happiest.

“I’m much happier when my t——s are out and I can run around free,” they said. “Lipstick Lover” follows the new LP’s first single, “Float,” released in February. Monáe spoke of the mindset she was in while she was working on her new album and what she wishes for fans to take from her newest project.

“All the songs were written from such an honest space,” Monáe said of her new record, per Pitchfork. “So I hope that people feel that when they listen to the music, that they feel that when they come and, you know, counter with me when I’m around, I definitely have had an opportunity to evolve and grow and to tap into the things that bring me pleasure, the things that perhaps I should rethink and rework.”

The Age of Pleasure is out June 9.

Watch the visual to “Lipstick Lover” below:

The Best Hip-Hop and R&B Songs Of April 2023, Ranked

• 10. "Da Girls" (Remix) - Ciara ft. Lola Brooke and Lady London

  Ciara enlisted Lola Brooke and Lady London for the remix of “Da Girls.” This was the first time all three artists linked up on a record. “Lola and Lady London are special,” Ciara said about the two rising emcees per RatedRNB. “They each bring a unique star quality to everything they do. From the tone of their voices to the fire verses, they spoke life into this record for all da girls around the world.”

• 9. "Give It To Me" - Miguel

  Miguel is back with a new single titled “Give It To Me.” The R&B artist has not released a full-length project since 2017’s War & Leisure. His last project was his 2021 EP Art Dealer Chic Vol. 4. However, his 2010 single “Sure Thing,” went viral on TikTok this year and currently sits at No. 15 on the Billboard Hot 100.

• 8. "Chemical" - Post Malone

  Post Malone dropped his first song of 2023 with “Chemical.” The New York native just finished touring last year in support of his 2022 LP Twelve Carat Toothache. “Chemical” is different from the artist’s usual sound as it has upbeat pop-rock elements introduced. The new record will act as the lead single to the rapper’s upcoming fifth studio album.

• 7. "Alone" - Kim Petras ft. Nicki Minaj

  Nicki Minaj joined Kim Petras for “Alone” marking their first collaboration together. For Nicki, this follows her feature on Ice Spice’s “Princess Diana.” “Alone” is Petras’ second single of 2023 following her record “brrr” which was released in January.

• 6. "Double Fantasy" - The Weeknd ft. Future

  For The Weeknd’s upcoming HBO drama The Idol, he and Future linked up to create “Double Fantasy.” The Weeknd performed it for the first time during Metro Boomin’s Coachella set. “Double Fantasy” marks The Weeknd and Future’s fifth collaboration after the two first came together as featured artists on producer Mike WiLL Made-It‘s 2015 single “Drinks on Us,” which also featured Swae Lee.

• 5. "Kill Bill" Remix - SZA ft. Doja Cat

  Doja Cat hopped on SZA’s SOS hit “Kill Bill” making it her first 2023 appearance. The two previously collaborated on the Grammy-winning “Kiss Me More.” SZA earned her first No. 1 Billboard hit with the original “Kill Bill” this month.

• 4. "Empire State Of Mind" Remix - Jay-Z

  Jay-Z remixed his 2009 hit “Empire State of Mind.” The hip-hop icon performed the remixed version in Paris at the Louis Vuitton Foundation to mark the opening of the “Basquiat x Warhol. Painting Four Hands” exhibition. The new version has been officially released which features Gil Scott-Heron’s iconic I’m New Here song “New York Is Killing Me.” The original “Empire State Of Mind” features Alicia Keys. The song was nominated for three awards but won Best Rap/Sung Collaboration and Best Rap Song at the 53rd Grammy Awards ceremony. The song was originally on Jay’s The Blueprint 3.

• 3. "Put It On Da Floor" - Latto

  Latto dropped “Put It On Da Floor” in April which fueled a beef between her and Coi Leray. The two later made amends but it ended working in the Atlanta native’s favor as she scored her first No. 1 on the Hot Trending Songs chart.

• 2. "Search & Rescue" - Drake

  Drake dropped his first solo song of 2023 titled “Search & Rescue.” He infamously sampled Kim Kardashian on the record from her Hulu reality show The Kardashians. “Search & Rescue” debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.

• 1. "Princess Diana" Remix - Ice Spice ft. Nicki Minaj

  The People’s Princess and the Queen linked up for a remix of the Bronx native’s “Princess Diana.” The “Princess Diana” remix debuted at No.1 on this week’s Digital Song Sales chart making it Ice Spice’s first and Nicki’s 14th No.1 hit. The song debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100.