A Timeline of Gracie Abrams & Paul Mescal’s Relationship

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Gracie Abrams and Paul Mescal command attention as one of the entertainment world’s most compelling pairings, with a connection stretching back years prior to their official public debut in 2024.

Long before the singer-songwriter ascended to pop royalty, the celebrated Irish actor was an outspoken admirer of her artistry. Following their early digital interactions, both stars dedicated themselves to stellar career trajectories. Abrams secured numerous Billboard Hot 100 hits, while Mescal anchored acclaimed cinematic heavyweights such as Aftersun, All of Us Strangers, and Gladiator II. Regarding their personal histories, the California native was previously linked to DJ Hayes Bradley, whereas Mescal shared a prolonged romance and reported engagement with singer Phoebe Bridgers.

Though they intentionally shielded their romance from the limelight during its formative stages, Abrams and Mescal gradually embraced public appearances and shared candid moments across social media. The “That’s So True” hitmaker has spoken candidly about sharing a London residence with the Normal People star, a home brimming with instruments where Mescal prepped for his portrayal of Paul McCartney in Sam Mendes’ upcoming Beatles biopic. (“He’s like an alien,” Abrams remarked to Rolling Stone regarding her partner’s facility with the left-handed bass. “He’s better at guitar backwards than I have been at guitar my whole life.”)

Explore the comprehensive timeline of Abrams and Mescal’s romance below.

July 13, 2020: Paul Cheers on Gracie

Years prior to entering a relationship, Abrams and Mescal engaged in a charming interaction on X. Following her announcement regarding the arrival of her debut EP, Minor — captioned, “tell your moms and dads” — the actor responded, “Mum and dad have set their alarms.”

The musician answered back, “expecting a play by play from both of them thank you in advance,” prompting Mescal to reply simply, “Deal.”
Spring 2024: Speculation Arises

Celebrity gossip circles began connecting Abrams and Mescal as early as late 2023. When the songstress unveiled her sophomore studio album, The Secret of Us, in June 2024, tracks like “Normal Thing” seemingly nodded to an initial, bittersweet chapter in their history.

“It’s a normal thing to fall in love with movie stars/ When the lights are low and red at all their favorite bars/ And the story you want is the story you get/ Are you special, or was this all scripted in his head?” she croons. “Don’t worry, I know I’ll see you again/ Oh, you’ll make me cry when it comes to an end.”
Summer 2024: Public Sightings in London

Mescal and Abrams were first captured together in late June 2024, as TMZ published visuals of the duo dining opposite one another at a London eatery.

By August, fan enthusiasm reached a fever pitch when a photograph emerged of the pair strolling hand-in-hand through the metropolis.
April 17, 2025: Gracie Addresses Romance in Billboard

In her April 2025 Billboard cover profile, Abrams — who maintained discretion regarding specific relationship details — noted that she actively resisted letting her soaring visibility alter her approach to romance. “That would be so unfortunate,” she reflected with a chuckle.

She conceded that intense scrutiny frequently complicates romantic partnerships, though close friend Taylor Swift provided a grounding perspective. “It’s like, I really don’t have it that bad in terms of invasion of privacy, you know what I mean?” Abrams stated. “I feel like I learned a lot from her, obviously, but one of the things that I’ve felt lucky to observe is how extreme it can be [for her]. It helps right-size my own s–t.”
November 18, 2024: Gladiator II Premiere

While they bypassed the official red carpet arrival together, Abrams and Mescal supported one another at the November 2024 Los Angeles premiere of Gladiator II, subsequently capturing a photograph together at the post-screening celebration.
July 2, 2025: Festival Romance at Glastonbury

Abrams and Mescal officially took their relationship to Instagram following Glastonbury 2025 — where she delivered a standout performance — with the singer publishing snapshots featuring friends and idyllic moments lounging on picnic blankets.

Days prior, Abrams shared video footage via Instagram Stories showing her hoisted onto Mescal’s shoulders while belting out “Friday I’m in Love” during The Cure’s set.
September 15, 2025: Paul Deems the Bond “Deeply Precious”

Within his Rolling Stone feature, Mescal articulated why he guards his partnership with Abrams so carefully. “Everything to do with that is deeply precious to me, and I don’t want to … I want to protect those things fundamentally,” the actor expressed.
January 16, 2026: Gracie Applauds Paul in Hamnet

Abrams stepped into the role of supportive partner by sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses of Hamnet, which stars Mescal alongside Jessie Buckley, while championing her boyfriend’s artistic achievement.

“Paul is singular,” she noted, accompanying an image of Mescal smoking a cigarette while sporting a Shakespeare graphic tee. “Also I love him surprise.”
February 2, 2026: Birthday Affections

Abrams celebrated Mescal’s 30th birthday via Instagram by posting an affectionate collection of imagery featuring embraces, laughter, and kisses. “My whole heart!!!!!!!!!” she captioned the tribute, which doubled as birthday wishes for friend Clem. “I love you both more than words could ever describe. Thank you for making everything better.”
February 22, 2026: Red Carpet Debut

Image Credit: James McCauley/Variety

Mescal and Abrams marked their official red carpet debut at the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards, posing for photographers with the actor’s arm tenderly resting around the singer’s waist.
March 15, 2026: Oscar Night Outing

Image Credit: Chad Salvador/WWD

The couple continued their celebratory streak on Oscar Sunday, dressing to the nines for both the academy ceremony and the exclusive Vanity Fair Oscar Party. Observers also delighted in spotting the pair cheering jubilantly on television when Mescal’s Hamnet co-star Jessie Buckley clinched the award for best actress.
June 9, 2026: Crafting Songs Within a “Secure” Dynamic

Abrams reflected on how establishing a stable, long-term bond with Mescal initially provoked doubts regarding her songwriting impetus during a Vogue cover interview, noting that it “freaked me out.”

“I was worried feeling secure and stable was threatening my drive to write music,” she added.
July 17, 2026: Gracie Unveils Daughter From Hell

Abrams released her highly anticipated third LP, Daughter From Hell, on July 17, 2026, featuring an undeniable love ode dedicated to Mescal alongside a composition co-written by the actor.

On the deeply romantic track “Afflictions,” she sings, “It’s the shape of your hands/ Made me brave once again/ You became where I land.”

She previously disclosed to Olivia Rodrigo during a Spotify pre-release conversation that “Afflictions” captured a rare instance where she found adequate vocabulary to encapsulate her connection with Mescal. “I can’t write about it much,” Abrams noted. “When I’ve tried to write about it before, it kind of diminishes what it actually feels like. But that [song] is super real for me.”

Mescal earned a songwriting credit on the album track “Imaginary Friend,” an evolution Abrams detailed in her Rolling Stone profile. “It wasn’t some extraordinary event,” she explained. “We’re a very musical household, and so there’s always something brewing … I feel lucky to be generally inspired by him as a person and by his brain.”
August 4, 2026: Gracie Praises Paul as the “Greatest Gift”

Abrams revisited her previous comments regarding Mescal’s influence on her creative process in conversation with Rolling Stone, clarifying that rather than hindering her output, her relationship’s stability actually broadened her creative horizons.

“It has held a mirror to me in ways that I didn’t know a relationship with another person of any kind could,” she stated. “It has given me all the perspective that I could have ever hoped for, on previous relationships, on my relationship with my family, on my friendships. It is the greatest gift, period.”