You’ve seen the photo. It’s hard to miss if you spend more than five minutes on the internet. In the foreground, Daisy Edgar-Jones is looking radiant on the 2022 Met Gala red carpet, giving the camera a practiced, high-fashion stare. But the real story is happening a few feet behind her. There stands Paul Mescal, looking at Daisy with an expression that can only be described as pure, unadulterated admiration.
The internet, being the internet, lost its mind.
It was instantly dubbed the "distracted boyfriend" meme of the prestige TV world. People were convinced they were witnessing a secret romance or a tragic "one that got away" moment in real-time. But honestly, the truth behind the paul looking at daisy met gala moment is a lot more wholesome—and arguably more interesting—than the fan fiction suggests.
The Viral Moment Everyone Got Wrong
Let’s be real: we all want Normal People to be real. We want Connell and Marianne to be together in every timeline. So, when that photo dropped, it felt like the ultimate "I told you so." Paul was at the event with his then-girlfriend, singer Phoebe Bridgers. They looked great together. But the camera caught Paul's eyes wandering—not to a stranger, but to his former co-star.
Twitter (well, X now, I guess) exploded. TikTok editors had a field day with slow-motion zooms and sad indie songs. It looked like a scene straight out of a Sally Rooney novel. The lighting was moody, the outfits were "Gilded Glamour," and the subtext felt heavy.
But Daisy Edgar-Jones eventually broke her silence on the matter, and her explanation is kind of hilarious. Speaking with WhoWhatWear in 2024, she basically admitted that she had no idea she was being memed until it was everywhere. According to her, the whole situation was born out of "innocence."
📖 Related: How Old Is Breanna Nix? What the American Idol Star Is Doing Now
She was having what she called an "out-of-body experience." It was her first Met Gala. She was terrified. Paul, being a good friend, had suggested they meet up and walk the carpet together so they wouldn’t have to do it alone. The problem? Paul was late.
Why Paul Was Staring
By the time Paul and Phoebe actually arrived, Daisy had been standing in a "pen" (the holding area for celebrities before they hit the stairs) for a while. She was even trying to help other celebs navigate the barcode scanners because she felt like she worked there.
"Finally, Paul came with Phoebs," Daisy explained. "And honestly, he’s my pal, so he’s probably just going like, ‘Hey, there she is!’"
That’s it. That’s the "look." It wasn’t a pining gaze for a lost love. It was the face you make when you finally spot your best friend at a party where you don’t know anyone else.
The "Tragic" Detail You Probably Missed
While everyone was busy analyzing Paul’s eyeballs, Daisy was focused on something else entirely: her feet.
👉 See also: Whitney Houston Wedding Dress: Why This 1992 Look Still Matters
If you look at the full-length shots from that night, Daisy is pulling a very specific, very intense leg cross. She’s called it the "deep leg cross," and she’s since labeled it the "most tragic" part of the photo.
"I didn’t know how to pose on a red carpet," she admitted. Because Normal People came out during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, most of their press was done over Zoom from their bedrooms. They went from being unknown actors to global superstars without ever actually standing on a red carpet. The 2022 Met Gala was one of their first "big" moments in the real world.
Daisy was just trying to look like a fashion person. Paul was just happy to see a familiar face.
Friendship or Something More?
It’s easy to see why people want there to be more to the paul looking at daisy met gala story. Their chemistry in Normal People was so visceral that it felt impossible to fake. Even the way they talk about each other in interviews borders on the poetic.
Daisy has called Paul one of her "lifetime best friends." Paul has said that the bond they share is "unique" and that they rely on each other to navigate the "ridiculousness" of fame. They’ve even been spotted together as recently as the start of 2026, celebrating the New Year with Paul's current partner, Gracie Abrams.
✨ Don't miss: Finding the Perfect Donny Osmond Birthday Card: What Fans Often Get Wrong
They aren't hiding. They aren't doing the "will they, won't they" dance for the cameras. They’re just two people who went through a life-changing experience together and came out the other side as a support system.
The Evolution of the Meme
In the years since 2022, the photo has taken on a life of its own. It’s now used as a reaction image for everything from seeing your food arrive at a restaurant to spotting your dog across the park.
It’s also become a touchstone for how we consume celebrity culture. We see a split-second frame and build an entire narrative around it. We want the drama. We want the "Gossip Girl" reveal. But sometimes, the reality is just a guy in a Cartier watch being stoked that his friend made it to the party.
How to Spot a "Fake" Viral Moment
If you’re a fan of celebrity news, the paul looking at daisy met gala saga is a great case study in why context matters. Here’s how to avoid getting swept up in the next "distracted boyfriend" moment:
- Look for the Video: Usually, the video of these moments shows a much different story. In the video from the Met, you can see them laughing and chatting with Phoebe Bridgers just seconds later.
- Check the Timeline: Daisy and Paul were literally scheduled to meet up. Of course he was looking for her.
- Consider the Source: Fans on TikTok are great at editing, but they aren't always great at checking facts. They want the "ship" to be real.
The real insight here isn't about a secret affair. It’s about the power of friendship in an industry that usually tries to tear people apart. Paul and Daisy have managed to keep their bond intact while their careers have skyrocketed—Paul to Gladiator II and Daisy to Twisters.
They are the "touchstones" for each other. And honestly? That’s way better than a messy red carpet scandal.
To keep your celebrity news consumption grounded, always cross-reference viral "looks" with official interviews from the stars themselves. Following reputable entertainment outlets like Variety or The Hollywood Reporter can help you distinguish between a fun internet meme and a genuine news story. If you're still curious about their bond, revisiting their 2022 "Met Babies" interview with Emma Chamberlain provides a much clearer picture of their playful, platonic dynamic than any single still photo ever could.