What’s that? Just the sound of thousands of hearts across the country shattering in unison.
Just after Paul Mescal received an Emmy nomination for his role as Connell Waldron in the hit BBC/ Hulu adaption of Normal People, new and quite frankly upsetting claims have surfaced that the 24-year-old Irish actor is dating American singer Phoebe Bridgers.
The rumours, which we tried very hard to ignore, started flying last week when The Daily Mail reported that Phoebe flew all the way to Ireland to have a ‘cosy’ breakfast with Paul in the Lemon Leaf Cafe in Kinsale, Cork.
Here’s the evidence, should you wish to see evidence of such a thing:
“Fan- Tas- Tic day thanks to @mescal_paul and
@phoebe_bridgers for calling to our café this morning for breakfast. Such amazing talented young people #Celebrities #musicaltalent #Staycation2020 #breakfast #voiceofageneration”
Although until we see hard, photographic proof of a receipt signed by both parties, we shall choose to live in blissful denial.
Sadly though, that’s not all. In June, Phoebe told NME that she’d just started watching Normal People, calling Paul ‘the cute boy’, saying ‘I got a little pitter-patter in my heart when I saw [that Paul had followed her on Instagram]’. Phoebe also sent Paul her album Punisher, and then interviewed him in an Instagram Live a few days later.
Their 25-minute chat was watched by more than 44,000 people and even we have to admit, their virtual chemistry is pretty real.
Users were quick to pick up on the vibes, with comments such as: ‘i feeeeel like i’m watching a first date omg’, ‘big first date energy’ and ‘BRO phoebe and paul lowkey a cute couple’.
Oh yeah, and then there was that time in May when Phoebe tweeted: ‘finished normal people and now I’m sad and horny oh wait’
Then Paul replied: ‘I’m officially dead’ – and it was pretty flirtatious tbh.
We promise we’re very happy for Paul and Phoebe. We just need some time to process.
We’ve contacted a rep for both stars for comment and will keep you updated.