Natalie Portman and Paul Mescal are claimed to be just friends, despite romance rumors sparked by their recent sighting together.
The couple couldn’t control their laughter as they enjoyed an evening drinking at Bar 69 in Islington, London, on Tuesday.
Paul, 28, and Natalie, 42, who interviewed for Variety last year – appeared in a very good mood when they went out to smoke a cigarette.
She was certainly thrilled to have a fun night out, as she quietly finalized her divorce from Benjamin Millepied in March following rumors that he was unfaithful.
However, Natalie’s relationship with Paul is strictly platonic and, in fact, the pair have enjoyed a friendly relationship for some time, sources said. TMZ.
Natalie Portman and Paul Mescal are claimed to be just friends, despite romance rumors sparked by their giggly sighting together on Tuesday outside a London bar (pictured).
Paul has made no secret of his admiration for Natalie, so he was clearly delighted to be in her company when they were spotted in Islington on Tuesday.
When interviewed last year, Paul described Natalie as “brilliant” and admitted: “If my drama school self knew I’d be talking to you, I’d pinch myself many, many times!”
He also praised her performance in May and December, in which she shares a steamy sex scene with her younger co-star, Charles Melton, 33.
She starred in the film as an actress named Elizabeth who investigates a couple, Gracie (Julianne Moore) and Joe (Charles), who had formed when she was 36 and he was 13, causing a tabloid scandal.
Meanwhile, Natalie complimented Paul on his sex scenes with Andrew Scott in All of Us Strangers, describing them as “very hot but also very tender.”
MailOnline has contacted Paul and Natalie’s representatives for comment.
Natalie finalized her divorce from Benjamin in France in March, ending a 12-year marriage, her rep confirmed to People.
The former couple share two children, Aleph, 12, and Amalia, seven, and lived together in Benjamin’s native France for several years.
Natalie’s relationship with Paul is strictly platonic, and in fact, the couple has enjoyed a friendly relationship for some time, sources told TMZ.
The couple’s chemistry was clear when they interviewed each other last year and spoke about their careers and mutual admiration for Variety magazine.
Natalie filed for divorce last July, a month after French magazine voice published an explosive report claiming that Benjamin, 46, had had an affair with a famous 25-year-old environmental activist called Camille Étienne.
After allegations of his infidelity became public, a source said People Benjamin had a “short-lived” affair with Camille, but the flirtation was “over.”
The source added: “He knows he made a huge mistake and is doing everything he can to get Natalie to forgive him and keep their family together.”
However, the following month, Natalie had filed for divorce, and by early March, the legal process was over.
The closest he came to addressing his divorce in public was in vanity fair this February, when asked how she felt about writing about her marriage, she responded, “It’s terrible and I have no desire to contribute to it.”
A friend revealed that the collapse of Natalie’s marriage was “very difficult for her at first, but her friends supported her and helped her get through the worst.”
The source noted: ‘His biggest priority has been ensuring a smooth transition for his children. She and Ben truly love their children and are equally focused on being the best co-parents possible. Nothing is more important.
In March, the month her divorce was finalized, Natalie posted on Instagram that her book club reading was the novel Heartburn by Nora Ephron, a coded romance about her own divorce from renowned Watergate reporter Carl Bernstein.
Natalie finalized her divorce from Benjamin Millepied in France in March, ending a 12-year marriage, her rep confirmed to People (pictured in 2022).
Paul is believed to be single.
In October last year it was reported that Paul had signed up to a dating app following his split from singer Phoebe Bridgers.
Paul, a self-confessed fan of Phoebe before their first meeting, began dating the talented musician in 2020, shortly after the notable BBC drama. Normal people made him a household name.
He was recently linked to Ayo Edebiri in honor of the American actress28, posted a sweet St. Patrick’s Day photo with Paul.
Paul and Ayo have been friends for years and were seen posing for photos together at the BAFTAs last month alongside Paul’s All Of Us Strangers co-star Andrew Scott.
Florence Pugh was also said to have attracted the attention of Normal People star Paul.
The couple reportedly enjoyed each other’s company after the BAFTA Film Awards at London’s Royal Festival Hall last month.
Don’t Worry Darling star Florence, 28, left the Universal party held at the Nomad hotel in Covent Garden and left at 1am, before heading to the Netflix party at Chiltern Firehouse at 1.30am am, where he stayed the night.
While speculation surrounded the status of her marriage, Natalie was in the May and December promotional campaign, in which she shares a steamy sex scene with her younger co-star, Charles Melton, 33.
In October last year it was reported that Paul had signed up to a dating app following his split from singer Phoebe Bridgers (Paul and Phoebe pictured in November 2021).
When interviewed last year, Natalie complimented Paul on his sex scenes with Andrew Scott in All of Us Strangers, describing them as “very hot but also very tender.”
She was seen rubbing shoulders with Paul and other stars, including Rosamund Pike, Lily James and Sacha Baron Cohen, at a Netflix party.
It came after Florence and Paul were seen enjoying dinner together in New York City the week before.
A source said Sun: ‘Florence and Paul move in the same circles and have been companions for some time.
“If their friendship turned into something more romantic, no one would be surprised.”
Florence split from her photographer boyfriend Charlie Gooch in October last year.