Everything
Paul Mescal has garnered a reputation for being a wild child by spending the entirety of his post-Phoebe-Bridgers-single-era running away from rumours he ditches dates in parks after a single night together. Now, the Irish heartthrob has reportedly bagged one for himself, as reports emerge that the Normal People star is in a relationship with burgeoning Australian actress and Boys Swallow Universe scene-stealer, Sophie Wilde.
According to British publication The Mirror, the All Of Us Strangers actor was allegedly spotted kissing the recent BAFTA Rising Star nominee at the prestigious ceremony’s exclusive after-party at Marlybone’s star-studded Chiltern Firehouse.
The tabloid—who also reported Mescal was dating Florence Pugh not too long ago, meaning their account should be taken with a grain of salt—claims Mescal and Wilde met in 2023 after attending various red carpeted industry events, but have since “stepped their relationship up a notch”. (“Smitten” is the word they used to describe the apparent transcontinental relationship).
According to an anonymous source, “[Mescal] and [Wilde] have been having lots of fun together and now their friendship has turned into something more.” “They got really close after last month’s [BAFTAs] and were seen smooching into the early hours at an after-party at Chiltern Firehouse,” they continued before adding, “It’s early days, but they’re excited about where things could go. They have a solid foundation and loads of respect for each other.”
Wilde was pictured in an awkward exchange with Prince Wiliam earlier during the BAFTAs evening, so perhaps their tryst could be explained by a spur-of-the-moment adrenaline rush— what better way to get back at the English monarchy than snogging an Irishman, right?
Sydneysider Wilde has become a mainstay at fashion and film events after rising to stardom as the breakout lead in the Australian possession horror, Talk To Me. The A24-distributed film became the production company’s second highest-grossing film of all time (behind the Oscar winner Everything Everywhere All At Once), cementing Wilde as a star of note.
Both Wilde and Mescal recently attended Sabato De Sarno’s debut collection presentation for Gucci in Milan last September, though it’s unclear how long the rumoured couple have known one another—or even at all.
Irrespective of their relationship status, Mescal’s dating life will perennially be a subject of intrigue after his highly publicised engagement to American musician Phoebe Bridgers dramatically ended. Neither Mescal nor Wilde have commented on the reports, but if one person who could procure this information, it’s Keith Urban and his penchant for exposing burgeoning couples who make out in public. Where is he now that we need him?
