Paul Mescal Dating: What Most People Get Wrong

If you’ve spent any time on TikTok or scrolling through your feed lately, you’ve probably seen the photos. Paul Mescal, the man who basically redefined the "sad boy" aesthetic for a whole generation, heading into a Chateau Marmont afterparty after the 2026 Golden Globes. He wasn’t alone.

Holding his hand was Gracie Abrams.

It was a quiet, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment of confirmation for a relationship that has kept the internet in a chokehold for nearly two years. Honestly, the fascination with paul mescal dating life has reached a level of intensity usually reserved for royal weddings or Marvel spoilers. But why are we so obsessed?

Maybe it’s because he seems like the kind of guy who would write you a poem but then leave you on read for three days. Or maybe it’s just the silver chain. Either way, the reality of who he’s actually with is often a lot less dramatic—and a lot more private—than the rumors suggest.

The Gracie Abrams Era: Is It the Real Deal?

Let’s look at the facts. People keep asking if they’re still together, and the answer, as of January 2026, is a resounding yes. They didn’t walk the Golden Globes red carpet together—because that’s just not their vibe—but they were inseparable once the cameras were (mostly) off.

✨ Don't miss: What Really Happened With Justin Bieber Saying the N Word

This whole thing started back in June 2024 at a restaurant called BRAT in London. Simple lunch. TMZ got a photo of Paul stroking her cheek. That was it. The internet exploded.

By the time the Gladiator II premiere rolled around in November 2024, they were the "it" couple, even if they refused to pose for the official photographers. They did, however, get caught looking very cozy at the afterparty. It’s been a slow burn. No big "launch," just a gradual realization that they are, in fact, a thing.

Why they keep it quiet

Mescal is famously protective. In a September 2025 interview with Rolling Stone, he was asked about why they finally went "Instagram official" (Gracie posted a photo of them at Glastonbury in July 2025).

His response was classic Paul: "I actually do have an answer, but everything to do with that is deeply precious to me and I don’t want to."

He basically told the world to back off, but in the most polite, Irish way possible. You've gotta respect that. In an industry where every lunch date is a PR opportunity, he treats his personal life like it’s actually personal.

The Ghost of Relationships Past

You can't talk about paul mescal dating without mentioning Phoebe Bridgers. It’s the relationship that launched a thousand sad indie playlists. They were the blueprint.

👉 See also: Brooks Koepka Wife See Thru Shirt: The Truth About Jena Sims’ Most Viral Looks

1. They met on Twitter (X).
2. They did an Instagram Live that felt like a first date.
3. They broke our hearts when they split in late 2022.

There were rumors of an engagement. There were rumors of a messy breakup. Mescal has never confirmed any of it. He told Vanity Fair that the temptation to yell "Shut the f*** up, this is my life" is always there.

Then there was Sophie Wilde. Remember the BAFTAs in early 2024? There were reports of them "smooching" at Chiltern Firehouse. It seemed like it might be something serious, but like many things in Hollywood, it sort of fizzled out—or was never as big as the tabloids made it seem.

The Daisy Edgar-Jones "Friendzone"

And then there’s Daisy.

Every time Paul and Daisy Edgar-Jones breathe the same air, the Normal People fans go into a frenzy. They spent New Year's Eve 2026 together with a group of friends. They’re constantly appearing on each other’s social media.

But here is the truth: they are just best friends. Daisy has been dating photographer Ben Seed since 2023. Paul has called Daisy one of his "lifetime best friends." It’s a platonic love story, which, in some ways, is even better than a romantic one. They are each other’s "touchstones" in a weird, fast-paced industry.

What Users Get Wrong About Mescal’s Private Life

The biggest misconception? That he’s this "mean" guy who ditches girls in parks.

There was a viral rumor—totally unsubstantiated—that he had a habit of taking dates for a walk in a park, then literally running away. It became a massive meme. Paul finally addressed it in GQ, calling it "categorically untrue."

It’s a perfect example of how the internet creates a narrative about a celebrity that has zero basis in reality. We want him to be this elusive, slightly troubled character because it fits the roles he plays.

The Long-Distance Struggle

The reality is much more mundane. According to sources close to the couple (via Star Magazine), Paul and Gracie actually struggle with the "long-distance element." He’s often filming in Europe or promoting movies like Hamnet, while she’s on tour or recording in the U.S.

They aren't living some high-glamour fantasy; they're two busy 20-somethings trying to make a relationship work over FaceTime and 11-hour flights.

• Current Status: Dating Gracie Abrams.
• Approval Rating: J.J. Abrams (Gracie’s dad) reportedly "approves."
• Red Carpet Debut: Still hasn't happened. They prefer afterparties.

The Actionable Insight: How to Follow Celebrity News Without the Brain Rot

It's easy to get sucked into the "blind item" culture where everything is a secret signal. But if you want to know what's actually happening with paul mescal dating, look at the patterns, not the gossip.

• Check the "Inner Circle": Paul usually hangs out with the same core group (Daisy Edgar-Jones, Fionn O'Shea). If a new person is consistently in those "candid" group shots, they’re important.
• Ignore the "Park Run" Memes: If a story sounds like it was written by a fan-fiction author on Tumblr, it probably was.
• Watch the Interviews: Mescal won't tell you who he's sleeping with, but he will talk about "tenderness" and "kindness." That gives you a better idea of his headspace than any blurry paparazzi photo ever will.

The best way to stay informed is to wait for the "hard launch"—or in Paul's case, the "soft-ish launch" of a hand-hold at a Chateau Marmont exit. He’s told us he wants to protect his private life. Maybe we should let him.

📖 Related: Katy Perry Bikini Shots: Why Everyone Is Obsessed With Her New Look

Next Steps for the Super-Fan:
If you want to understand the man behind the headlines, skip the tabloids and watch his recent press conference from Cannes. He talks deeply about how his views on love and masculinity have shifted while filming The History of Sound. It’s much more revealing than a grainy photo of him buying coffee.