Paul Mescal and his girlfriend, Gracie Abrams, officially appeared as a couple on the red carpet for the first time at the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards in London on Sunday evening.
Oh my gosh, you guys, the awards show was EVERYTHING! It was the moment I KNEW they were totally meant to be. They were all over each other – seriously, the cutest PDA ever! It was like they didn’t even care who was watching, just completely lost in each other. I swear, I almost died from the sweetness!
However, some people believe their public displays of affection might have been for show. Gracie has even been criticized for seemingly copying Kylie Jenner’s strategy of quickly and openly announcing a new relationship.
Songwriter Gracie, 26, and Paul, 30, shared a sweet moment on the red carpet. Gracie kissed Paul’s cheek, and they gazed lovingly at each other while photographers snapped pictures.
The couple shared a tender kiss inside the auditorium while celebrating their film, Hamnet, winning the award for Outstanding British Film.
This public display of affection is a big change for the couple, who have been dating since 2024 but have generally kept their relationship private – until now.
According to body language expert Judi James, one partner seems eager to present their relationship as a major Hollywood power couple.
She shared with the Daily Mail that everything about their red carpet appearances seems carefully planned to signal a committed and romantic relationship, and that at least one of them wants to be seen as the next big power couple in Hollywood.
They moved together seamlessly at each photo location, with Gracie leaning into Paul and subtly showcasing him as her partner for the evening.
‘His hand with the slightly splayed fingers rests on her bottom in a casually sexy gesture.’
However, Judi noted that there is a ‘hint of a branding disconnect’ with their body language.
She went on to say that Gracie carries herself with a very polished, glamorous style, similar to someone like Kylie Jenner, while Paul seems more down-to-earth and naturally relaxed in his demeanor.
Gracie seems eager to give Paul lots of little kisses on the red carpet, and when she offers a quick, polite peck, Paul subtly appears to prefer a less affectionate display.
Then, Gracie leans in to kiss his cheek, and he reacts with a lopsided grin, clearly enjoying the moment and acknowledging he’s found something special.
During the ceremony, rapper Stormzy announced that Hamnet had won Outstanding British Film.
The scene shifted to the cast and crew of Hamnet, and Paul was spotted kissing Gracie on the cheek.
Judi observed that Paul sat comfortably and casually in the auditorium, with Gracie affectionately linking her arm through his, showing her closeness to him.
Oh my gosh, did you see how Paul was sitting? It was just so… him! Totally relaxed and natural, not at all stiff or posed. And it was perfect because you could just feel how friendly he is with his co-star – they were only a seat apart, like they were instantly connecting! It just felt so open and approachable, honestly. I could watch him sit there all day!
Gracie lovingly clings to his arm, showing both affection and pride. She wraps both hands around his bicep, her fingers intertwined to emphasize their close connection.
You can often tell the true dynamic of a couple when awards are announced – watch who they kiss first, and how enthusiastically, to understand who’s ‘on top’ in the relationship.
After the film Hamnet won Best British Movie, Gracie squeezed Paul’s arm in congratulations, and their kiss, which everyone saw, appeared to confirm they were officially a couple.
Paul shared a sweet and tender kiss with Gracie, gently holding her face in his hand. This showed how important she had become to him, and he lingered to make the moment special.
It seems Paul is now focusing on his daughter, Gracie. He recently shared that he’s planning to scale back his work to spend more time with his family.
Honestly, hearing him talk about turning 30 in British GQ just… got me. He said he’s really been loving how things have been flowing for him, and it started when he was only 23! Like, he’s been building this amazing momentum for almost a decade, and it’s just so cool to hear him acknowledge that. It makes so much sense – he’s always been so focused and driven. It just… ugh, perfect.
I’m starting to prioritize things that really matter to me, like spending quality time with my family, partner, and friends, and I’m naturally wanting to make more room for those things in my life.
The actor, who usually keeps his relationship with singer Gracie private, went on to say, ‘Until now, I’ve always been focused on my career and haven’t really wanted to do much else…’
‘And now I do have a desire to not spend my time necessarily in a rehearsal room or on set.’
I was so touched to hear Paul say he wants to prioritize his relationships! It really resonated with me, especially knowing he’d previously shared with Rolling Stone that he dreams of becoming a father someday. It feels like a beautiful, natural progression for him, and I’m thrilled he’s focusing on what truly matters.
You know, I’ve been thinking a lot about family lately. It’s something I definitely want in my life, but I’m not rushing into it. It’s not about needing it right now, but I’d absolutely love to be a parent someday. It feels like a natural next step, but I’m happy enjoying life as it is too.
Paul and Gracie were first seen together in public in June 2024, enjoying a romantic date at BRAT Restaurant in London.
Onlookers revealed at the time that ‘they were kissing a lot’.
An insider told People Magazine in August the two were ‘hooking up and it’s in the early stages’.
They spent their first summer together going to several music festivals around the UK and were also seen on casual dates in London.
In October 2024, Paul publicly supported his singer girlfriend by attending her concert in New York City, where he was seen enjoying the show and singing along.
Okay, so Paul and someone are clearly head-over-heels, everyone can see it! But honestly, it just makes me love him more that he’s so fiercely private. He said it himself last October – he’s just not letting anyone in, and that’s amazing. He’s protecting what’s special to him, and it’s so refreshing in this crazy world. I get why he doesn’t want the spotlight on everything, and it just proves what a genuine person he is!
‘How I am in my private life is so precious to me because I get very little of it.’
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2026-02-23 15:41