‘It’s unkind’ – Paul Mescal says intrusion into his personal life is devastating

Simon Kelly

Normal People star Paul Mescal said it makes him ‘angry’

Paul Mescal has enjoyed an incredible rise to fame over the last few years. From his humble beginnings in a Denny’s ad to now starring in the upcoming Gladiator sequel directed by Ridley Scott, there’s been a huge spotlight shone on the man from Kildare.

That spotlight was never stronger than during his relationship with indie music sensation Phoebe Bridgers.

The relationship, rumoured engagement, and subsequent breakup sparked huge interest from the internet, with fans seeking out every bit of new information and papped photo of the couple while they were together.

However, the 27-year-old has admittedly had a hard time adjusting to keeping his personal life private, safe from the microscope of fame.

“Eighty percent of that is palatable. And then 20 percent of it is devastating,” Mescal told Haarper’s Bizarre, referencing people’s interest in his personal life.

“The stuff that hurts is the personal stuff. It’s nobody else’s business and should never be commented on because it’s indecent. And it’s unkind. Honest answer, it makes me angry… It’s the entitlement to the information that people expect that just drives me fucking mad.”

Paul Mescal starring alongside Saoirse Ronan in upcoming sci-fi.

Throughout the interview, Mescal touches on the subject of relationships a few times. He shot to fame for his portrayal as Connell in Normal People alongside Daisy Edgar-Jones, an on-screen relationship that got a lot of people through Covid.

Now, the actor is tackling a new genre, sci-fi, but one which focuses mainly on the relationship between his character Junior, a farmer who is offered a chance to live in space while his wife, Hen, who is played by fellow Irish actor Saoirse Ronan.

“The feeling of being in a relationship and being in love, to me, sometimes can feel quite like a horse with blinders on. That’s such a wonderful feeling,” Mescal says.

“The work in this film was finding out what it’s like to be in a tired relationship. That’s not a sensation I’m familiar with.”

Ronan is also asked in the article about the first time she noticed Paul Mescal. The four-time Oscar nominee came back with a pretty universal answer for all Irish people.

“The first time I saw Paul act was in a commercial for Denny’s sausages in Ireland. He’ll kill me for mentioning it, but—I’m not actually joking—that was the first time I went, ‘Oh, who’s that guy?’ He’s really good.”