Paul Mescal and Gracie Abrams made their couple status undeniable on February 22, 2026, as they appeared together on the BAFTAs red carpet. Their moment of affection, including a cheek kiss, highlighted their relationship to the world, with Abrams there to support Mescal for his work in the film Hamnet. This public display marked the latest milestone in their evolving relationship.
Their connection, which began well before this event, offers an interesting journey from initial meetings to becoming a recognized couple.
How Their Relationship Developed Over Time
It all started in June 2024 when fans began suspecting a romance after seeing Paul Mescal and Gracie Abrams together. TMZ captured a candid moment where Mescal gently cupped Abrams’ face during an outing for food. Prior to this, many interpreted Abrams’ song “Normal Thing” as a subtle nod to Mescal’s role in Normal People, reflected in the lyric:
“It’s a normal thing to fall in love with movie stars. When the lights are low, and red at all their favorite bars.”
The couple continued to spend time together, including shopping trips in Mayfair and other low-key dates, prompting sources to describe them as “like any other young couple,” according to The Sun.
Their Public Affection and Growing Closeness in London
By August 2024, their relationship appeared to be more than just casual as paparazzi caught photos of the pair holding hands in London. An eyewitness noted they were “kissing a lot,” which almost confirmed their romance. A source told PEOPLE,
“They’ve been hooking up and it’s still early stages.”
This period marked a phase of increased public interaction between the two.
Making Their Relationship Known to the Public
In September 2024, Mescal and Abrams made their dating official with a relaxed stroll hand-in-hand in public, marking a clear statement of their newfound status as a couple. Their appearances as a pair became more frequent afterward.
Further demonstrating their support for each other, in October 2024, Mescal attended Gracie Abrams’ opening performance at Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour in Miami. He engaged openly with other concertgoers from a VIP section, signaling his active participation in her career. This was followed by numerous casual joint outings across the country.
Joint Appearances and Supporting Each Other’s Success
Their first shared red carpet appearance was at the after-party for the Gladiator II premiere in November 2024, where they impressed with coordinated knitwear. Later that year, Mescal showed support for Abrams again at the Saturday Night Live after-party, reinforcing their visible connection at industry events.
In February 2025, Abrams spoke about her high standards in relationships during a conversation with Cosmopolitan magazine. Without naming Mescal, she reflected on their dynamic:
“My current form of love feels like home no matter where I am,”
“There’s literally nothing better than being with somebody where you’re not putting on a performance.”
These remarks hinted at the comfort and depth in their relationship.
Continued Support at Prestigious Events and on Social Media
In May 2025, Abrams attended the premiere of The History of Sound at the Cannes Film Festival to support Mescal, though they did not present themselves as a couple publicly at that time. Over the next month, more public moments emerged. In June 2025, they were photographed enjoying Olivia Rodrigo’s music festival set together, during which Abrams posted a clip of herself riding on Mescal’s shoulders while Rodrigo performed “Friday I’m In Love.”
Following this, the couple went Instagram official as Abrams shared photos from the festival day with friends, captioning the images with heart emojis, openly acknowledging their relationship on social media.
Emotional Displays and Further Affirmations of Their Bond
January 2026 brought more intimate moments as Abrams posted a photo of Mescal during Hamnet promotions, affectionately writing, “Also I love him surprise.” She also emotionally praised the film’s cast in updates. This ongoing mutual support of projects and personal acknowledgments highlighted the couple’s deepening connection.
Their latest appearance on the BAFTAs red carpet has since become a major topic, signaling their relationship’s confident and public status.
Why This Matters and What to Expect Next
Paul Mescal and Gracie Abrams transitioning from private dating phases to making red carpet appearances together reflects a significant stage in their relationship. Their supportive dynamic, both personally and professionally, indicates a strong partnership amid their rising careers. As their public profile as a couple solidifies, fans and media will likely continue watching their journey closely, especially as Mescal gains more recognition for Hamnet and Abrams expands her music career.
