Paul Mescal is adjusting to fame.
The 24-year-old Normal People star opened up about life in the public eye following the success of his hit Hulu adaptation in an interview on Monday (October 19) with GQ.
PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of Paul Mescal
“I just find the whole thing a little bit toxic,” he said of the paparazzi, noting that he was particularly upset by rumors that he’s dating musician Phoebe Bridgers, after the two were seen getting breakfast together. (He did not provide further details to the outlet.)
He also opened up about whether the objectification of himself and his character Connell is bothersome.
“Honest answer? Yes. It’s not something that I try to lean into. But I put it down to the audience’s associations with Connell rather than with me,” he said.
“It wasn’t something that we put any focus on during filming. I think there has been a kind of leaning on the sexualizing of it, which has been a little bit difficult to adjust to. It’s not something I lie in bed thinking about at night,” he said of wardrobe decisions for his character.
“The fandom on the show has been amazing, and seeing people have articulate discussions about character is so satisfying,” he clarified, adding that “99 percent” of fan encounters are “really positive.”
Paul Mescal is filming a movie together with this actor right now and it looks like they’re having a blast!