Normal People star Paul Mescal has opened up about a ‘categorically untrue’ rumour that swept social media at the end of last year, admitting that it even upset his mum
Paul Mescal has addressed rumours about him that swept social media at the end of 2023 and admitted how ‘devastating’ they were for his family.
In late 2023, social media platforms, particularly TikTok, were flooded with videos and memes suggesting that the actor would take his one-night stands for a walk the following day, distract them and then make a run for it.
Some versions of the rumour even claimed that he would point out a bird to his date before making a swift exit. One video which alleged to show ‘actual footage’ of him running away garnered over three million views, reports the Irish Mirror.
His appearance on Chicken Shop Date with Amelia Dimoldenberg in January this year only added more fuel to the fire. During the interview, he shared that his idea of a romantic date was “a good long walk”.
“I love walking, a good long walk is romantic to me” he said. “Simple pleasures, I’m a simple man.”
Now, in a recent chat with GQ ahead of his lead role in Gladiator II, the 28-year-old star discussed the impact these rumours – which he firmly states are ‘categorically untrue’ – had on his family, especially his mother Dearbhla.
“We [Mescal and his siblings] were looking at the videos and we were p****** ourselves at it. Categorically untrue. And we were laughing, laughing, laughing, laughing,” he started.
“And the one thing that upset me was that I was in the kitchen, I remember my mum looking at the videos and she was getting upset. Isn’t that devastating? I was like, Oh, it’s funny to us my brother, me, my sister because we know that this is the way the internet works.”
He continued: “It’s hilarious. If it was true, it’d be f****** bad, but as a rumour, it’s funny. Then I was like, Oh, if you’re a mother, her impulse is to come out and be like, ‘He wouldn’t do this.'”
The actor, who shot to fame in BBC’s Normal People based on Sally Rooney’s bestselling book, hasn’t looked back since his breakthrough role. He’s now set to star in Ridley Scott’s anticipated Gladiator II as Lucius, stepping into the world once occupied by Russell Crowe’s iconic character Maximus.
Gladiator II is out in cinemas on November 15
