Lupita Nyong'o Responds to Janelle Monáe Dating Rumors

"Black Panther" star and Oscar winner Lupita Nyong'o opened up about rumors that she and out singer and actor Janelle Monáe were a couple.

"The 40–year-old Oscar winner and the 37-year-old singer-actress became close after meeting at the 2014 Met Gala, sparking rumors the two were dating," ET Online recalled.

The rumors were just that, and nothing more. "She's extremely gifted," Nyong'o told Rolling Stone for the music magazine's current issue, which Monáe covers.

The "Glass Onion" star, nominated for multiple Grammys across her recording career, is not a romantic interest for Nyong'o, but she is a close friend. "It's built into her spirit," Nyong'o said of Monáe's media-spanning talents. "Her openness creates intimacy onscreen. It's really cool to see her move from one thing to another and do it with such mastery."

"A couple of years back, Nyong'o was tickled by rumors that she and Janelle were an item," Rolling Stone recollected in the cover story, which delves into Monáe's new album "The Age of Pleasure," as well as her film work and love of parties.

"She has magnetism that they were obviously picking up on," the "Us" star said of Monáe. She is that enigmatic.

"People are curious about enigmatic people," Nyong'o went on to add, saying, "I was not surprised" that people thought the two of them were a couple.

"And I don't mind being associated with her in any capacity," Nyong'o added.

"Nyong'o is now in a relationship with her Emmy-nominated producer boyfriend Selema Masekela," Elle noted..