Gracie Abrams on Dating Paul Mescal in the Public Eye: ‘I Don’t Like the Feeling of Hiding’

Lily BrownThu, June 25, 2026 at 9:50 PM UTC

0

Paul Mescal and Gracie Abrams in Los Angeles in March 2026Credit: Shutterstock

Gracie Abrams and Paul Mescal have been dating for about two years and made their red carpet debut in 2026

The "Hit the Wall" artist collaborated with the Normal People actor on the song “Imaginary Friend” and described the process as natural and low-pressure

Abrams values privacy but shared that her relationship with Mescal brings her peace and joy despite public curiosity

Gracie Abrams is letting fans into more corners of her life than ever before on Daughter From Hell — including her relationship with boyfriend Paul Mescal.

Abrams, 26, and Mescal, 30, have been dating for about two years, first sparking romance rumors after they were spotted together in London in June 2024. The couple kept things relatively private in the early stages of their relationship but have since become more public, making their red carpet debut at the 2026 BAFTAs and attending events together, including the 2026 Golden Globes and Vanity Fair Oscar Party.

During a recent interview about the album for the New York Times Popcast, Abrams reflected on writing “Imaginary Friend” with the Oscar-nominated actor, explaining that collaborating publicly with Mescal felt far more natural than some might assume.

When asked whether featuring the Normal People star as a credited collaborator invited an uncomfortable level of scrutiny into a relationship she has largely kept private, Abrams didn't hesitate.

“I don't like the feeling of hiding,” Abrams told the podcast's hosts, The New York Times pop music critic Jon Caramanica and culture reporter Joe Coscarelli.

— sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

At the same time, Abrams emphasized that privacy still matters to her.

“I also love privacy where it feels like the right thing,” she said.

Paul Mescal and Gracie Abrams in L.A. in March 2026Credit: Jean Baptiste Lacroix / AFP via Getty

For Abrams, writing together wasn't some major milestone in their relationship. It was simply an extension of the creative environment they already share.

“That was so fun to write together. That wasn't some groundbreaking event for us,” she explained. “We have a very creative home with friends who are so good at what they do and everyone feels happy to share that with one another.”

Advertisement

While public curiosity about their relationship is inevitable, Abrams said she tries to keep things in perspective.

“I always try to assume the absolute worst-case scenario of everything, and then anything else is pleasant,” she said.

Paul Mescal kisses Gracie Abrams in romantic selfie from Oscars nightCredit: Gracie Abrams/Instagram

More importantly, she believes that outside opinions can't diminish an experience that was meaningful to her.

She added, "If you know how happy your experience was making something or how much you learned about yourself or your partner or whatever the thing is, it's like, no amount of hate or trolling or whatever could take that away.”

Abrams described her relationship as a source of stability in her life.

“That is a part of my life that brings me so much peace and joy,” she said. “I'm not going to pretend like that's not true, but I also think it's not like an open-door policy.”

As for how “Imaginary Friend” came together, Abrams said the process was refreshingly simple.

“Just home, just as it sounds," she said while mimicking strumming a guitar. “It's such a simple, short song and it was really just us f---ing around.”

The song was written during the middle of the album-making process and, according to Abrams, fit naturally alongside the rest of the project.

“It just did feel natural,” she said.

Daughter From Hell is out July 17.

on People

Original Article on Source

Source: “AOL Entertainment”