3 minute readIn 2020, Paul Mescal starred as Connell in Hulu’s Normal People, based on the book by Irish author Sally Rooney. Many fans of the show had hoped that he was actually having an affair with co-star Daisy Edgar-Jones. The two have amazing chemistry on screen and are very close.
Mescal and Edgar-Jones remain friends, but Mescal is currently dating Gracie Abrams. Rumors of their relationship first surfaced in 2024, and they have been together in public ever since, including making their red carpet debut at the 2026 British Academy Awards.
In February 2023, Mescal spoke to Vanity Fair about how there is more interest in her love life as a high-profile celebrity.
“Sometimes you just drown it out, and other times you get really angry and distraught,” he said. “People write and say things because, for anyone in the public eye, there is a level of interest in how that person lives, who they live with, what they do, and how they approach it.”
“And a lot of times people are really kind and supportive of me, and that’s been my biggest experience,” he added.
Here’s what we know so far about Mezcal’s dating history.
phoebe bridgers
Mescal and music artist Phoebe Bridgers started dating in early 2020. It started after Bridgers saw the actor on Normal People and reached out with a few flirty tweets. In a now-deleted post, Bridgers joked that she was “sad and excited” after watching the show.
Mr. Mescal complied, and the two apparently began a private conversation. Their first official meeting was during Wonderland magazine’s Instagram livestream. She told NME in June that a “pretty boy” who appeared on the show had been following her on Instagram, adding: “When I saw that, my heart skipped a beat.”
By November 2020, Mescal revealed in an interview with GQ that he had a girlfriend, saying she had been a “lifesaver” during the lockdown.
“Having someone to lean on through all this craziness was invaluable. I truly don’t know what I would have done without her,” he said.
Just a month later, he appeared in the music video for one of Bridgers’ hits, “Savior Complex.”
It wasn’t until November 2021 that they officially appeared on the red carpet and attended the LACMA Art + Film Gala together.
A month later, in another since-deleted post, Bridgers shared a shot of them standing by water to her Instagram timeline. They even attended the 2022 Met Gala together and were rumored to be engaged. However, by the beginning of 2023, it was believed that they would actually break up. She went on to date comedian Bo Burnham.
Mescal has not commented on the breakup, but told Harper’s Bazaar in August 2023 that he resented speculation and a sense of “entitlement” to information.
“The hurt is personal,” he explained. “It’s not anyone else’s business, and it’s a vulgar act that should never be commented on. And it’s unkind.”
Gracie Abrams
Rumors that Mescal and musician Gracie Abrams were dating began circulating in June 2024 after they were photographed together in London. By August, the two were seen kissing in public, seemingly confirming their relationship.
They continued to walk together until the end of 2024. Mescal attended Abrams’ Radio City Music Hall performance in October and later supported Abrams around the release of Gladiator II.
In 2025, the two maintain a steady presence in each other’s lives, but their relationship has largely stayed out of the spotlight. Abrams attended the History of Sound premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May, cheering on Mescal without walking the red carpet with him. At his Glastonbury show the following month, Abrams shared footage of himself sitting on Mezcal’s shoulders during Olivia Rodrigo’s set.
In July, she posted a selfie of herself cuddling up with mezcal on her Instagram carousel, captioning it with a series of red heart emojis.
As of February 2026, the couple is still together. Abrams commemorated Mescal’s birthday on February 2nd on Instagram, writing, “P❤️ Clemmy ❤️ From the bottom of my heart!!!!!!!! Love you February 2nd… Happy Birthday ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ I love you both more than words can express. Thank you for making everything better.”
Later that month, on February 22, Mescal and Abrams made their red carpet debut as a couple at the BAFTAs, where they posed together and kissed.
