It’s hard to imagine a world without actor Paul Mescal, but the Hollywood heartthrob made his television debut just a few short years ago in 2020 on Hulu’s Normal People (for which he earned a Primetime Emmy Award nomination). He starred alongside Daisy Edgar-Jones in the miniseries, which was based on Sally Rooney’s 2018 book of the same name (and originally aired on BBC Three in the U.K. before its Hulu release).
It’s been a whirlwind for Mescal, starring in notable movies and TV shows. After Normal People, he made his film debut in The Lost Daughter, and appeared in God’s Creatures and Aftersun, the latter of which earned him Oscar and BAFTA Film Award nominations. He also stars in the queer romance film, All Of Us Strangers alongside Andrew “Hot Priest” Scott (from Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Fleabag).
But as Mescal’s star has risen in the public eye, fans have taken more interest in his private life—specifically his love life. Tale as old as time, right? Read on for all you need to know about Paul Mescal (and yes, we will cover his famous relationship with musician Phoebe Bridgers).
Who is Paul Mescal?
Paul Mescal was born (February 2, 1996) in Maynooth, Ireland. The actor’s height is 5’11”. He studied acting at The Lir Academy in Dublin and after graduating, he hit the stage in productions of The Great Gatsby, The Red Shoes, and The Plough and The Stars.
Mescal got his big break in 2020 when he starred in Normal People. Mescal played Connell Waldron, a high-school student who falls in love with a rich, but less popular classmate, Marianne Sheridan, played by Daisy Edgar-Jones. The steamy series had Mescal winning the hearts of fans the world over, quickly becoming many peoples’ internet boyfriend. But it wasn’t just “normal people” who noticed Mescal. He soon caught the eye of musician Phoebe Bridgers…
Paul Mescal’s Dating History
Mescal famously dated musician Phoebe Bridgers from 2020 to 2022. The pair initially connected on social media after Bridgers tweeted about Normal People. She wrote, “finished normal people and now I’m sad and horny oh wait,” to which Mescal replied, “I’m officially dead.”
Mescal and Bridgers met for the first time in a live stream interview for Wonderland magazine, which was adorably awkward. They spoke for about 25 minutes, with Mescal noting, “I think it’s well documented that I like your music.” Bridgers responded, “Well, that makes me blush.”
Throughout 2020, the pair seemed to be covertly referencing each other in interviews, and then Mescal starred in Bridgers’ music video for “Savior Complex,” which was directed by Phoebe Waller-Bridge. Now that’s a mouthful!
In 2021, Mescal started popping up at Bridgers’ concerts and supporting her at various events. It wasn’t until November 6, 2021 that Bridgers and Mescal made their first public appearance together at the 10th Annual LACMA ART+FILM GALA.
It was clear that Mescal and Bridgers were boyfriend and girlfriend when the actor started making regular appearances on Bridgers’ Instagram, and they attended the Met Gala in New York City together on May 2, 2022 where that famous photo was taken. By November 2022, engagement rumors were swirling, but a mere month later (December 2022) fans sensed there was trouble in paradise after Bridgers alluded to strife in the relationship in her and SZA’s collaboration, “Ghost in the Machine.”
That same month, Bridgers was spotted with Bo Burnham and the pair continued to be seen together throughout 2023. Though Burnham and Bridgers’ relationship was unconfirmed, it was at least clear that Bridgers and Mescal were no longer.
Paul Mescal’s Nudes Controversy
For anyone familiar with Normal People, you know things get hot and heavy. Mescal has spoken publicly on the awkwardness of filming in the nude. Speaking to Stephen Colbert on The Late Show, he said, “When you put 10 people into the room, a boom operator, and you’re being doused in fake sweat, it’s just a really difficult thing.”
But while most viewers can accept nudity on screen as being for the sake of the art, some aren’t as respectful. Mescal learned this firsthand in an encounter with a woman at a bar in Ireland. In an interview with GQ magazine, Mescal shared that the woman was out at a bachelorette party and approached him saying, “I didn’t think the show was any good, but I saw your willy and I have a photo!” In other words, the woman had seen his nude scenes and saved a screenshot. Yikes! Let’s hope that interaction didn’t put Mescal off nude scenes for good…
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