Gracie Abrams opens up about relationship with Paul Mescal: 'I don’t like the feeling of hiding'

Gracie Abrams has offered one of her most candid insights yet into her relationship with actor Paul Mescal, saying she no longer wants to feel as though she has to hide the romance from the public.

The singer-songwriter, who has been dating the Gladiator II star since 2024, discussed balancing privacy with life in the spotlight during an appearance on The New York Times' Popcast. Abrams admitted that while she values keeping parts of her personal life private, she also dislikes the idea of concealing an important relationship.

“I don't like the feeling of hiding,” Abrams said, explaining that there is a difference between protecting something meaningful and pretending it does not exist. She added that she and Mescal have found a way to navigate public attention while maintaining healthy boundaries around their relationship.

Abrams also revealed that Mescal features creatively on her upcoming third album, Daughter From Hell. The Irish actor appears on the track Imaginary Friend, with Abrams describing the collaboration as a natural extension of the creative environment they share at home rather than a calculated artistic decision.

The couple have become increasingly public over the past year, making joint appearances at events including the 2026 BAFTA Awards, the Academy Awards and the Vanity Fair Oscar Party after initially keeping their romance largely out of the spotlight.

Abrams previously admitted that she worried finding stability in her relationship with Mescal might affect her songwriting, fearing that feeling "secure and stable" could diminish the emotional intensity that had fuelled her earlier music. However, she has since embraced writing from a happier and more settled place, crediting longtime collaborator Aaron Dessner with helping her evolve creatively.

The Grammy nominee is preparing to release Daughter From Hell on July 17, 2026, while Mescal continues work on several upcoming film projects. Despite their growing public profile, Abrams said maintaining perspective remains essential, adding that she finds joy in sharing her life with someone she deeply trusts.