Paul Mescal Holds Hands with Gracie Abrams in N.Y.C. as She Makes Her Saturday Night Live Debut

The 'Gladiator II' actor and the Eras Tour opener "are the real deal,” a source recently told PEOPLE

Paul Mescal, Gracie Abrams
Paul Mescal and Gracie Abrams. Photo:

Jeff Spicer/Getty; Frazer Harrison/Getty 

Paul Mescal and Gracie Abrams are spending time together — in the Big Apple!

The pair were spotted holding hands after both the Gladiator II star, 28, and the “Close to You” singer, 25 made their back-to-back Saturday Night Live debuts, footage shared on TikTok shows.

In the clip, posted in the early morning on Sunday, Dec. 15, the Irish actor and the Eras Tour opener — who have been romantically linked since June — can be seen exiting a car together and holding hands as they headed into a New York City building.

As the couple walked together, Abrams also stopped briefly to address some of the fans who had been waiting to greet the stars, telling them, “Have a good night, you guys!” before going inside.

Paul Mescal and Gracie Abrams in New York City.
Gracie Abrams and Paul Mescal in October 2024.

TheImageDirect.com

The new video comes after Abrams appeared on SNL's Dec. 14 episode as a first-time musical guest, performing two The Secret of Us (Deluxe) tracks — “That’s So True” and “I Love You, I’m Sorry” — as Chris Rock hosted. Mescal, meanwhile, made his own SNL debut last weekend, hosting the Dec. 7 show alongside musical guest Shaboozey.

The actor and the singer-songwriter first sparked dating rumors this summer after they were spotted out together in London. They have since been seen walking city streets and enjoying dates, with a source telling PEOPLE in August that they were still in the early days of their romance.

The stars had “been hooking up and it’s still early stages,” the source said at the time.

In the months since, the couple has become more serious, with a source telling PEOPLE in November that their relationship is working well. "Gracie and Paul are the real deal,” the source said, noting that the stars have plans for a vacation together in the new year.

Added the source: “They’re at the top of their game and always in communication.”

Saturday Night Live: Musical guest Gracie Abrams performs "I Love You, I'm Sorry" on Saturday, December 14, 2024
Gracie Abrams makes her 'SNL' debut on Dec. 14, 2024.

Will Heath/NBC

The couple also recently stepped out for the first time together at a public event when Abrams accompanied Mescal to the Los Angeles premiere of Gladiator II on Nov. 18.

The pair didn't make their official red carpet debut at the event, but they did pose for a photo at the afterparty, where they were affectionate throughout the evening.

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Abrams and Mescal have remained pretty private about their relationship, keeping their romance out of the spotlight — a decision the Normal People star recently explained in his cover story for GQ's November 2024 issue.

Paul Mescal attending the Royal Film Performance and world premiere of Gladiator II, in aid of the Film and TV Charity which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square, central London, Gracie Abrams at the 66th Annual GRAMMY Awards held at Crypto.com Arena on February 4, 2024 in Los Angeles, California
Paul Mescal; Gracie Abrams.

Ian West/PA Images via Getty; Gilbert Flores/Billboard via Getty

Despite his growing fame, Mescal — who previously dated musician Phoebe Bridgers — remains steadfast in his desire to keep his love life private, telling GQ that he's "learned that there’s certain lines in the sand now for me that just are going to be impenetrable for the benefit of my own sanity."

"The speculation has been kind of mad for the last x amount of years," he continued. "I’m not comfortable inviting any access into that part of my life."

Added Mescal: "How I am in my private life is so precious to me because I get very little of it, and it might be public interest, but it’s not public-obligated information.”

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