Gracie Abrams and Paul Mescal have become one of the most closely watched celebrity couples in music and film. The American singer-songwriter and Irish actor were first linked in 2024, but for much of their relationship they deliberately kept their private lives away from the spotlight. That changed in 2026, when they appeared together at major public events, including the BAFTA Awards and Oscars. Their relationship has also developed into a creative partnership, with Mescal co-writing “Imaginary Friend” for Abrams’ third studio album, Daughter From Hell. Abrams has since offered rare insight into their life together, explaining that their relationship has brought her stability while also giving her new perspectives as a songwriter. As of August 2026, the available public evidence indicates that they remain together, while still maintaining clear boundaries around their private life.
Who Are Gracie Abrams and Paul Mescal
Gracie Abrams is an American singer-songwriter whose intimate, conversational approach to pop music has helped her build a substantial international audience. Her rise accelerated through major touring opportunities and successful songs including “That’s So True” and “I Love You, I’m Sorry”. Her third studio album, Daughter From Hell, represents another stage in her musical development, with songwriting that reflects both past experiences and greater emotional stability.
Paul Mescal is an Irish actor who became internationally recognised after playing Connell Waldron in Normal People. He subsequently earned acclaim for films including Aftersun, All of Us Strangers, Gladiator II and Hamnet.
Their relationship therefore brings together two people working at the highest level of their respective creative fields. That combination helps explain why their personal lives attract interest far beyond ordinary celebrity dating coverage.
When Did Gracie Abrams and Paul Mescal Start Dating
were first publicly linked in June 2024 after they were photographed together in London. Reports at the time described the pair spending time together at a restaurant, with the photographs quickly generating dating speculation.
The relationship became more difficult to dismiss as speculation during the months that followed. By August 2024, they were reportedly seen kissing in public, providing a stronger indication that their connection was romantic rather than simply professional or friendly.
Neither initially offered a detailed public explanation of their relationship. Instead, their status became clearer through occasional appearances, social-media posts and the gradual way they began supporting each other’s careers.
That slow progression is important. Rather than announcing their relationship with a formal statement, Abrams and Mescal allowed the public picture to develop naturally.
Relationship Timeline
Their relationship has developed through a series of notable moments rather than one major announcement.
- June 2024: Abrams and Mescal were photographed together in London, sparking widespread dating reports.
- August 2024: They were reportedly seen kissing publicly, strengthening speculation that they were a couple.
- Late 2024: Mescal supported Abrams around her music career, including attending her Radio City Music Hall show.
- 2025: They continued spending time together while generally avoiding excessive public attention.
- June 2025: Abrams shared a glimpse of herself with Mescal at Glastonbury, including a photograph in which she was sitting on his shoulders.
- February 2026: Abrams publicly celebrated Mescal’s 30th birthday with an affectionate social-media tribute.
- February 2026: They appeared together at a London screening of Man on the Run before making their major red-carpet debut.
- 22 February 2026: They walked the BAFTA red carpet together, holding hands and sharing a kiss.
- March 2026: They attended the Oscars together and Abrams later shared photographs from the evening.
- June 2026: Abrams discussed their relationship and creative life together in interviews.
- July 2026: Daughter From Hell was released with “Imaginary Friend”, which Abrams co-wrote with Mescal.
- August 2026: Abrams continued describing their relationship positively, including discussing the security she feels within it.
Gracie Abrams and Paul Mescal in London
London has played an important role in the couple’s relationship from the beginning. Their first major dating reports came after they were photographed together in the city in 2024, and London has remained a significant part of their shared life.
Abrams has since revealed that she spends much of her time in London with Mescal while continuing to maintain connections to Los Angeles. Her 2026 Vogue profile offered an unusually personal glimpse into this arrangement, describing a life that combines songwriting, creative friends and time at home with her partner.
Their London life also reflects the practical reality of dating while both careers are expanding internationally. Mescal has longstanding professional ties to the UK and Ireland, while Abrams regularly travels for recording, touring and promotional work.
For fans searching for Gracie Abrams Paul Mescal London updates, the key point is that the city has been more than a backdrop for their early sightings. It has become part of the lifestyle they have built together.
Their 2026 BAFTA Red Carpet Debut
The 2026 BAFTA Awards marked the biggest public milestone in their relationship. On 22 February, Abrams and Mescal walked the red carpet together at the Royal Festival Hall in London, holding hands and posing for photographers. They also shared a kiss in front of the cameras.
The significance of the appearance went beyond photographs. Until that point, the couple had largely allowed their relationship to exist outside formal celebrity events, even though they had occasionally been photographed together.
Their BAFTA appearance effectively confirmed that they were comfortable being publicly recognised as a couple.
The evening also had particular significance for Mescal because he starred as William Shakespeare in Hamnet. The film won Outstanding British Film at the ceremony, producing another memorable moment when Mescal kissed Abrams as the result was announced.
Did Gracie Abrams and Paul Mescal Kiss at the BAFTAs
Yes. The couple shared a kiss while posing for photographs at the 2026 BAFTA Awards, and another affectionate moment occurred during the ceremony after Hamnet won Outstanding British Film.
The BAFTA kiss became one of the most widely shared images from their relationship because it represented a major change in their public approach. They had spent almost two years keeping most details away from the media, yet they appeared relaxed and affectionate at one of Britain’s biggest entertainment events.
It is worth separating this confirmed moment from social-media speculation. Photographs and the televised ceremony provide direct evidence of their public affection, whereas claims about private conversations or future plans are not necessarily reliable.
For anyone searching “Gracie Abrams Paul Mescal kiss”, the BAFTAs provide the clearest confirmed answer.
Did They Attend the Oscars Together
Yes. Abrams and Mescal also attended the 2026 Academy Awards together, continuing the more public phase of their relationship.
Their Oscars appearance came only weeks after the BAFTAs, making it clear that the BAFTA red carpet was not an isolated decision to appear together. Abrams and Mescal were photographed at the ceremony, with Abrams later sharing images from the evening on social media.
The timing was significant because Mescal’s profile in Hollywood had continued to rise through his film work, while Abrams was entering an important period in her music career.
Their appearance also demonstrated how their public relationship and professional lives can overlap without either person becoming defined solely by the other. Mescal remains an actor with his own career trajectory, while Abrams continues to establish herself as a major recording artist.
What Song Did Paul Mescal Write With Gracie Abrams
Paul Mescal co-wrote “Imaginary Friend” with Abrams for her third studio album, Daughter From Hell. The song was released as part of the album in July 2026 and represents one of the clearest examples of their personal and professional worlds intersecting.
Abrams explained that the collaboration was not a carefully planned celebrity event. Instead, writing together happened naturally within the creative environment they share at home.
The track itself is not necessarily a straightforward love song about Mescal. Its lyrics centre on the strange experience of sensing a former lover’s presence even though that person is not actually there. Abrams has not confirmed a specific real-life subject for the song, so interpreting every lyric as being about her relationship would go beyond the available evidence.
That distinction makes the collaboration more interesting, not less. Mescal contributed creatively without the song needing to become a direct account of their romance.
How Paul Mescal Contributed to Daughter From Hell
Mescal’s involvement in Daughter From Hell extends beyond simply being Abrams’ partner. He co-wrote “Imaginary Friend”, demonstrating that the couple’s creative relationship can operate naturally alongside their personal relationship.
Abrams has described their home as a creative environment where friends and collaborators share ideas and work on projects. She has also said that writing the song with Mescal was enjoyable rather than an uncomfortable or unusual experience.
This is particularly relevant because Abrams had previously worried that emotional security might reduce the urgency that had driven some of her songwriting. Instead, she discovered that stability could create a different kind of creative freedom.
The collaboration therefore provides a useful insight into her artistic evolution. Her music does not depend solely on emotional turmoil; she can also write from a position of security, reflection and maturity.
Has Paul Mescal Played Guitar on a Gracie Abrams Song
Mescal’s contribution to “Imaginary Friend” has been reported as including guitar, alongside his songwriting credit. The track is therefore a genuine musical collaboration rather than simply a celebrity cameo.
That detail has attracted particular attention because Mescal is best known as an actor. Although he has musical interests and can play instruments, his professional identity is firmly rooted in acting.
For Abrams, however, collaboration is already a normal part of her creative process. Her work frequently involves close partnerships with other writers and musicians, so bringing Mescal into that environment appears to have happened organically.
The result is an unusual but meaningful connection between their careers. Fans can hear Mescal’s contribution to a project that remains fundamentally Abrams’ artistic work, rather than seeing him simply appear in a music video or promotional campaign.
How Has the Relationship Changed Gracie Abrams’ Songwriting
One of the most revealing aspects of the relationship is how Abrams says it has affected her creative process. In her 2026 Vogue interview, she explained that she initially worried feeling secure and stable might threaten her motivation to write music. Instead, she discovered that emotional stability could provide a different source of inspiration.
This matters because much of Abrams’ earlier reputation was built around emotionally vulnerable songwriting. A common assumption is that artists need heartbreak or instability to produce their strongest work.
Abrams’ experience challenges that idea. She has suggested that being secure in her relationship gives her more room to think about other experiences, including previous relationships, friendships and personal growth.
That perspective makes Daughter From Hell particularly interesting. The album can be viewed not simply as a collection of relationship songs but as part of a broader transition in Abrams’ emotional and artistic life.
What Is the Age Gap Between Gracie Abrams and Paul Mescal
Gracie Abrams was born on 7 September 1999, while Paul Mescal was born on 2 February 1996. This puts them roughly three and a half years apart, with Mescal being older.
In 2026, Abrams is 26 and Mescal is 30. The difference is therefore relatively small and places both in a similar stage of early adulthood, despite their careers developing at different speeds.
Age-gap searches often attract attention because celebrity relationships are heavily discussed online, but in this case the age difference is not particularly large.
More significant to their relationship appears to be the practical challenge of managing two international careers. Abrams works across music, touring and recording, while Mescal’s film and theatre commitments can involve long periods away from home.
Their shared creative interests and London base appear to provide some common ground despite those professional demands.
What About Phoebe Bridgers and Paul Mescal
Paul Mescal’s previous relationship with musician Phoebe Bridgers is often mentioned whenever his dating history is discussed. Mescal and Bridgers were together for roughly two years before their relationship ended in 2022.
Bridgers is also a respected musician, which has led some online discussions to compare her career with Abrams’ or speculate about connections between their respective relationships with Mescal.
However, those comparisons can easily become misleading. Abrams and Bridgers are separate artists with different careers, songwriting styles and relationships with Mescal.
There is also no reason to treat Mescal’s previous relationship as evidence about his current one. His relationship with Abrams began publicly in 2024, around two years after his reported split from Bridgers.
For accurate coverage, Phoebe Bridgers is relevant as part of Mescal’s past dating history, but she should not be presented as an active part of his relationship with Abrams without evidence.
Why Do People Follow
The public interest in the couple comes from several overlapping factors. Both already have strong individual fan bases, while their relationship creates a connection between two major entertainment industries.
The most searched aspects of their story include:
- Their relationship timeline: Fans want to know when they met and how the romance developed.
- Their 2026 appearances: The BAFTAs and Oscars changed how publicly they presented their relationship.
- Their London life: Abrams has discussed spending substantial time in London with Mescal.
- Their music collaboration: “Imaginary Friend” gives fans a tangible creative connection.
- Their age gap: Search interest reflects curiosity about their age difference.
- Their privacy: Both have tried to protect parts of their personal lives from excessive scrutiny.
- Their current status: Fans continue to ask whether they are still together.
This combination creates strong search interest because readers are not looking for just one fact. They want a complete picture of the relationship and how it has changed over time.
Are Still Together in 2026
Yes. The latest publicly available evidence indicates that Gracie Abrams and Paul Mescal are still together in August 2026.
Abrams has discussed their approximately two-year relationship positively in recent interviews and described it as a source of peace, joy and stability. She has also spoken about their creative home life and their experience writing music together.
Their public appearances provide additional evidence. They appeared together at the 2026 BAFTAs and Oscars, while Abrams has continued to share occasional glimpses of Mescal and their life together.
However, their relationship should still be described as private. Public appearances do not mean every aspect of their personal lives is available for public interpretation.
The most accurate answer to “are Gracie Abrams and Paul Mescal still together?” is therefore yes, based on the latest confirmed public information, while acknowledging that the couple continues to control what they reveal.
Why Gracie Abrams Says She Does Not Want to Hide the Relationship
Abrams has offered an unusually candid explanation for her approach to public relationships. While she values privacy, she has said she does not like the feeling of hiding an important part of her life.
That distinction helps explain the couple’s changing public profile.
They can attend the BAFTAs together, appear at the Oscars and collaborate on music without turning every private detail into public information. In other words, visibility and privacy do not have to be opposites.
Abrams has also acknowledged that public attention can be difficult. Her comments suggest that the relationship brings her genuine happiness, but that does not mean she considers her personal life an open invitation for constant scrutiny.
This approach is particularly relevant for high-profile couples. It allows them to acknowledge their relationship while retaining control over the parts that genuinely belong to them.
What Makes Their Relationship Different From Typical Celebrity Romances
The biggest difference is the gradual way Abrams and Mescal have allowed their relationship to become public. They were linked in 2024 but did not immediately turn the romance into a major public spectacle.
Instead, visibility increased in stages. They were photographed together, appeared at events, shared occasional social-media moments and eventually walked the BAFTA red carpet together.
Their creative collaboration adds another layer. Mescal is not simply appearing beside Abrams at awards ceremonies; he has contributed to her songwriting process. At the same time, Abrams has supported Mescal’s film career, including his work in Hamnet.
Their approach therefore combines public affection with professional independence. That balance is arguably more revealing than any individual photograph.
What Could Be Next for Gracie Abrams and Paul Mescal
The future of the relationship is impossible to predict, and there is no need to turn speculation into fact. Both Abrams and Mescal have increasingly demanding careers, meaning work commitments will remain an important part of their lives.
Abrams is continuing to develop her music career following Daughter From Hell, while Mescal is building an increasingly ambitious filmography. He is also involved in major upcoming projects, including his role as Paul McCartney in Sam Mendes’ Beatles films.
Their careers could therefore lead to more public appearances and perhaps further creative collaborations. But neither has suggested that every future professional project will involve the other.
The safest approach is to watch for confirmed interviews, appearances and creative credits. Given how carefully they have managed their relationship so far, major personal announcements should come from the couple themselves rather than online speculation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When did Gracie Abrams and Paul Mescal start dating?
They were first publicly linked in June 2024 after being photographed together in London. Their relationship became more evident through subsequent public sightings and appearances.
Did Gracie Abrams and Paul Mescal attend the BAFTAs together?
Yes. They attended the 2026 BAFTA Awards together on 22 February and made their major red-carpet debut as a couple, where they posed together and kissed.
What song did Paul Mescal write with Gracie Abrams?
Mescal co-wrote “Imaginary Friend” with Abrams for her third studio album, Daughter From Hell. Abrams has described their songwriting session as a fun and natural experience.
What is the age gap between Gracie Abrams and Paul Mescal?
Abrams is 26 and Mescal is 30 in 2026, giving them an age difference of roughly three and a half years, with Mescal being older.
Do Gracie Abrams and Paul Mescal live together in London?
Abrams has said that she spends much of her time in London with Mescal and has described their home as a creative environment. This provides a glimpse into their shared life while they continue to keep many personal details private.
Conclusion
Have developed from a quietly reported 2024 romance into one of the most recognisable young celebrity relationships of 2026. Their story includes early London sightings, public appearances, Glastonbury moments, a BAFTA red-carpet debut, an Oscars appearance and a genuine creative collaboration on Abrams’ album Daughter From Hell.
What makes the relationship particularly interesting is the balance they have found between public visibility and personal privacy. Abrams has openly discussed how being with Mescal has brought greater emotional security without taking away her creative drive. Their songwriting collaboration further demonstrates how their personal and professional worlds can overlap naturally.
As of August 2026, the available evidence indicates that they are still together. The most reliable way to follow Is to focus on their confirmed appearances, interviews and creative work rather than treating online speculation as fact.
