Natalie Portman and Paul Mescal are just friends, it is claimed, despite romance rumors sparked by their recent meeting together.
The pair couldn’t help but giggle as they enjoyed a night out at Bar 69 in Islington, London, on Tuesday.
Paul, 28, and Natalie, 42 – who interviewed each other Variety last year – appeared cheerful as they stepped outside for a cigarette.
She was no doubt happy for a fun night out after quietly finalizing her divorce from Benjamin Millepied in March following rumors that he was unfaithful.
However, Natalie’s relationship with Paul is strictly platonic, and the pair have maintained a friendly bond for some time, sources say. TMZ.
Natalie Portman and Paul Mescal are just friends, it is claimed – despite romance rumors sparked by their laughable sighting together outside a bar in London on Tuesday (pictured)
Paul has made no secret of his admiration for Natalie and was clearly delighted to be in her company when they were spotted in Islington on Tuesday.
When they interviewed last year, Paul described Natalie as ‘brilliant’ and admitted: ‘If my drama school itself knew I was talking to you I’d pinch myself a lot!’
He also complimented her performance in May December, in which she shares a steamy sex scene with Younger co-star Charles Melton, 33.
She starred in the film as an actress named Elizabeth who investigated a couple – Gracie (Julianne Moore) and Joe (Charles) – formed when she was 36 and he was 13, leading to 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. People.
The former couple have 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 the pair have maintained a friendly bond for some time, sources told TMZ.
The pair’s chemistry was evident when they interviewed each other last year and discussed their careers and admiration for each other for Variety magazine.
Natalie filed for divorce last July, a month after the French magazine Voici published a bombshell report claiming that Benjamin, 46, had an affair with a famous 25-year-old environmental activist named Camille Étienne.
After the claims about his infidelity became public, a source said People Benjamin had a “short-lived” affair with Camille, but the bickering was “over.”
The insider added, “He knows he made a huge mistake and he’s doing everything he can to get Natalie to forgive him and keep their family together.”
However, the following month Natalie filed for divorce, and the legal process was completed by early March.
The closest she came to publicly discussing her divorce Vanity fair When asked in February how it felt to write about her marriage, she replied, “It’s horrible, and I don’t feel like contributing to it.”
A friend revealed that the collapse of Natalie’s marriage was “really hard on her at first, but her friends rallied behind her and helped her get through the worst of it.”
The source noted, “Her biggest priority is ensuring a smooth transition for her children. She and Ben truly love their children and are equally focused on being the best co-parents they can be. Nothing is more important.’
In March — the month her divorce was finalized — Natalie posted on Instagram that her book club had read Nora Ephron’s novel Heartburn, a roman à clef about her own divorce from famed 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)
It is believed that Paul is 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 Phoebe fan prior to their first meeting, started dating the talented musician in 2020 – shortly after the notable BBC drama Normal people made him a household name.
He was last linked to Ayo Edebiri after the American actress28, posted a sweet photo for St. Patrick’s Day with Paul.
Paul and Ayo have been friends for years and posed for photos together at the BAFTAs last month alongside Paul’s All Of Us Strangers co-star Andrew Scott.
Florence Pugh is also said to have caught the eye of Normal People star Paul.
The pair 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, jumped from the Universal party at the Nomad hotel in Covent Garden and left at 1am, before heading to the 1.30am Netflix bash at the Chiltern Firehouse, where she stayed the night.
While speculation surrounded the state of her marriage, Natalie was on the promotional trail for May and December, during which she shares a steamy sex scene with Younger co-star Charles Melton, 33.
In October last year, it was reported that Paul had signed up for a dating app following his split from singer Phoebe Bridgers (Paul and Phoebe pictured in November 2021)
When they interviewed each other 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 spotted standing shoulder to shoulder 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 together at dinner in New York City the week before.
A source said The sun: ‘Florence and Paul run in the same circles and have been friends for a while.
“If their friendship became a little more romantic, no one would be surprised.”
Florence split from her boyfriend, photographer Charlie Gooch, in October last year.