Celebrity relationships have long been under intense scrutiny, and now, Paul Mescal and Gracie Abrams are finding themselves in the spotlight after a viral moment sparked comparisons to an infamous incident involving Taylor Swift and Joe Alwyn. Mescal, currently starring in Gladiator II, was filmed navigating through a crowd of paparazzi while leading Gracie into the Saturday Night Live building, a moment that quickly went viral and drew strong reactions from the internet.
The viral clip reminded many of a 2022 moment involving Taylor and Joe, when they were seen leaving an afterparty at the MTV VMAs. In that video, Joe was criticized by some fans for being too forceful as he pulled Taylor—who was in towering heels—towards their getaway car. While some defended Joe’s actions, claiming he was merely protecting her from the chaos, others felt it looked uncomfortable, especially considering Taylor’s height in the heels. The backlash continued for some time, and while the couple later split in 2023, that moment became a focal point of discussion for their relationship.
Fast forward to 2024, and Paul Mescal’s paparazzi moment has reignited similar debates. As he rushed Gracie through the crowd, some online commentators immediately compared the situation to Taylor and Joe’s viral video, calling out Paul for seeming overly forceful. The backlash has been swift, with some fans even advising Gracie to “dump him.” Others, however, argue that Paul was simply navigating a difficult situation, much like Joe was in his moment.
As with many celebrity controversies, opinions are divided. Supporters of Paul argue that the clip is being blown out of proportion, while critics see it as a sign of thoughtlessness. Neither Paul nor Gracie have publicly commented on the incident, and while the debate is heating up online, it’s unlikely to cause significant trouble for the couple. This incident highlights how easily celebrity moments can be overanalyzed, especially when it comes to beloved figures. In the end, whether it’s fair or not, every public gesture or hurried exit is subject to intense scrutiny.
Here’s hoping Paul and Gracie can move past the drama and perhaps take a cue from Taylor and Joe by keeping their next public outing a little more graceful.