Looks like someone's a boy genius. After months of speculation over a growing romance between Normal People actor Paul Mescal and “Motion Sickness” singer Phoebe Bridgers, the two have officially confirmed
their connection with a sweet water-side selfie on boygenius member Bridgers’ Instagram account. The image has no caption, but the subtext is obvious: The two are finally announcing what many fans already knew.
Mescal and Bridgers first sparked rumors back in May 2020, when they had a hilariously relatable interaction online. After watching Mescal’s performance in the Hulu drama Normal People, Bridgers tweeted, “finished normal people and now I’m sad and horny oh wait,” to which Mescal responded, “I’m officially dead,” and Bridgers followed up: “nooo don’t die your so talented aha.”
Mere days later, Bridgers hosted an Instagram Live with the actor, who complimented her on her music during the chat. The Mirror reports Mescal then invited Bridgers to visit him in Ireland, where they were spotted having breakfast at a cafe in Kinsale, County Cork. Finally, in December 2020, Mescal appeared in Bridgers's “Savior Complex” music video, further cementing their spark.
They kept their growing romance relatively under-the-radar for nearly a year. Although they dressed (fabulously, we might add) as Machine Gun Kelly and Megan Fox for Halloween in 2021, it wasn't until November that the duo made their official red-carpet debut at the LACMA Art + Film Gala, though neither had confirmed their relationship at that point.
Still, fans knew exactly whom Bridgers was referring to when, later that night, she tweeted, “paul thinks thousand island is called hundred years sauce.” In fact, so many fans were keyed into the relationship that one referred to their Instagram-official pic as an infamous “boyfriend soft launch.”
paul thinks thousand island is called hundred years sauce
— traitor joe (@phoebe_bridgers) November 7, 2021
Now that the two have officially announced their romance—in matching black moto jackets, no less—may we push the petition to re-name Thousand Island dressing to Hundred Year sauce, please? With love, P + P.