Gracie Abrams and Paul Mescal Make Red Carpet Debut at 2026 BAFTA Awards

The couple, who have been linked for several years, stepped out together at the ceremony held at the Royal Festival Hall in London’s Southbank Centre.
Paul Mescal and Gracie Abrams
Paul Mescal and Gracie Abrams / Lia Toby/Getty Images

After being linked to one another since the summer of 2024, Gracie Abrams and Paul Mescal have finally made their red carpet debut as a couple.

The “Close to You” singer and Normal People actor attended the 2026 British Academy of Film and Television (BAFTA) Awards together on Sunday, Feb. 22 at the Royal Festival Hall in London’s Southbank Centre. While on the red carpet, Abrams stunned in a floor-length, sleeveless gown from Chanel’s pre-fall 2026 collection. The dress, designed by the brand’s artistic director, Matthieu Blazy, featured gorgeous turquoise beading and a floral pattern throughout the black fabric.

Styled by Spencer Singer, Abrams made our list of best dressed celebrities from last night’s event. She also worked with a glam team consisting of makeup artist Emily Cheng and hairstylist Fabio Petri for the evening’s look.

Paul Mescal and Gracie Abrams
Paul Mescal and Gracie Abrams / Dave Benett/Getty Images

Meanwhile, her significant other opted for a black Prada suit with the sleeves rolled up to showcase a white dress shirt underneath, which Mescal paired with black dress shoes. He was styled by Felicity Kay. Abrams, 26, and Mescal, 30, posed for pics on the red carpet, and the Grammy-nominated artist sweetly pecked her beau on the cheek for photos and in video footage captured by outlets like Entertainment Weekly.

“Gorgeous couple! 💕,” one fan wrote in the comments section of the digital magazine’s post from last evening.

“Aren't they just perfect?! 😍😍😍❤️🔥,” someone else inquried.

“beautiful couple,” another user concurred.

Abrams and Mescal first sparked dating rumors in June 2024 when they were spotted together out and about in London. The Irish actor and Los Angeles-born musician didn’t go Instagram official with their relationship until more than a year later, when Abrams shared a photo carousel from the Glastonbury Festival. Among her photo collage was a selfie of the pair captured while snuggled up on a blanket.

While they’ve largely kept their relationship private, Abrams shared a black and white photo with Mescal in a photo dump last September. And earlier this month, the indie pop musician shared the sweetest message in honor of Mescal’s 30th birthday on Feb. 2.

“P❤️ Clemmy❤️ My whole heart!!!!!!!!!” she wrote of her boyfriend and friend, who both share a birthday. “I love February 2… Happy birthday ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ I love you both more than words could ever describe. Thank you for making everything better.”

The corresponding post included pics of Abrams and Mescal snuggled up in a photo booth, sharing smooches, taking in a Boston Red Sox game and more.


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Cara O’Bleness
CARA O’BLENESS

Cara is a trending news writer/editor for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit. A passionate writer and editor with more than 10 years of experience in print and online media, she loves storytelling and believes that words have the power to change the world. Prior to joining the team, Cara worked as a writer and editor across a number of content verticals, including food, lifestyle, health and wellness, and small business and entrepreneurship. In her free time, Cara loves reading, spending time with her family and making her way through Michigan’s many microbreweries. She is a graduate of Michigan State University's School of Journalism.