In June 2024, it was rumored that Normal People star Paul Mescal and musician Gracie Abrams were seeing each another after they were spotted out on what looked like a date. By August, they seemed to “confirm” their relationship with a public kiss.
There might not be much more said about it, as Mescal stated in an interview with Vanity Fair that he plans to keep his romantic life “private … moving forward” and that he wants to “drown out” gossip.
“A lot of the time people are kind about their support for me,” he said. “That’s my predominant experience.”
The conversation came following his split from Phoebe Bridgers in 2022 after two years together. Abrams’s last known relationship with songwriter Blake Slatkin also ended in 2022, after about five years of dating.
June 2024
Photos of Mescal on what appeared to be a date with Abrams were shared by TMZ in June. The images were taken during the day in London at BRAT restaurant, with eyewitnesses telling the publication that the pair ordered a bunch of small plates to share.
In the images, they appear to be having an intense conversation. At one point, Mescal reached over to touch her face. He was wearing a white T-shirt, and Abrams had on a pale pink blouse.
July 2024
One month later, The Sun reported that the pair were seen shopping together on Bond Street in London. Abrams was reportedly spending a fair amount of time in the city, staying at the Chiltern Firehouse.
August 2024
In mid-August, they were seen in London again, sharing a kiss in Mayfair. The Daily Mail reported they were putting on a “loved-up display,” according to an onlooker, and strolling through the park. Mescal wore a cap and sunglasses to cover his face, as well as shorts and a T-shirt. Abrams was in a white vest and black pants. Later, the two were seen at All Points East music festival in Victoria Park for musician Mitski’s set.
A source told People on August 18, “They’ve been hooking up, and it’s still early stages.”
September 2024
Mescal and Abrams were photographed holding hands once more in London on September 2. The couple each wore hints of black, Mescal in a Guns n’ Roses T-shirt and Abrams in black crop top.
Aimée Lutkin is the weekend editor at ELLE.com. Her writing has appeared in Jezebel, Glamour, Marie Claire and more. Her first book, The Lonely Hunter, will be released by Dial Press in February 2022.