Wait, are Phoebe Bridgers and Paul Mescal engaged or broken up?

Here's what's happening between Phoebe Bridgers and Paul Mescal

Phoebe Bridgers and Paul Mescal attend the 2021 LACMA Art + Film Gala presented by Gucci at Los Angeles County Museum of Art on November 06, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.
(Image credit: Taylor Hill/WireImage)

Have Phoebe Bridgers and Paul Mescal called it quits...or are they taking things to the next level?

We've been preoccupied lately, wondering what the latest Madelyn Cline boyfriend news will reveal, asking "Who is Dua Lipa dating," etc. etc. Keeping up with everyone can be challenging. 

In the midst of it all, it appears one couple underwent a major transformation, and now we're piecing it together.

Are Phoebe Bridgers and Paul Mescal still together?

It appears that Phoebe Bridgers and Paul Mescal, who sparked engagement rumors at the beginning of the year, have decided to go their separate ways as of December 2022. 

During the Friday, December 23 episode of the "Chick Shop Date," Bridgers hinted at heartbreak and admitted that she has yet to crack the code on getting over a breakup: "I think if I had figured that out, I wouldn’t be making music still," she confessed.

Phoebe Bridgers, Bo Burnham rumors 

The actor and singer attended Kate Berlant‘s one-woman-show in New York City on December 19, and although the two have allegedly been friends, onlookers believe that they looked flirty with one another. 

A week early, a smooching snapshot of Matty Healy and Bridgers—with Burman in the background—emerged, which initially caused fans to raise an eyebrow. 

"Ghost in the Machine" lyrics

Then, listeners became suspicious of Bridgers' lyrics in "Ghost in the Machine," which is on SZA's new album, SOS:

"You said all of my friends are on my payroll /
You're not wrong, you're an asshole /
Screaming at you in the Ludlow /
I was yours for free."

Are these lyrics hinting at a fight between her and the Normal People actor?

Phoebe Bridgers and Paul Mescal's relationship timeline

After being photographed at Los Angeles County Museum of Art's 10th annual Art + Film Gala in 2021, all eyes were on the new couple, though they remained quiet about their relationship. Check out the two on the red carpet. There are quite a few smiles! They do say a picture is worth a thousand words...

Paul Mescal and Phoebe Bridgers attend the 2021 LACMA Art + Film Gala presented by Gucci at Los Angeles County Museum of Art on November 06, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.

(Image credit: Taylor Hill/WireImage)

Phoebe Bridgers and Paul Mescal before the red carpet

When Sally Rooney's TV adaptation of Normal People premiered in 2020—on the BBC in the UK, Hulu in the US—many of us swooned over Connell (Mescal) and his chain. And, as Rooney's readers know well, the story is very, very sexy...which Bridgers picked up on rather quickly. 

The two exchanged a few flirty tweets after she gave her seal of approval to the "horny" series. 

Later in 2020, the two participated in a Q+A for Wonderland Magazine's Instagram livestream, where Bridgers referred to the Irish actor as a "cute boy" and exclaimed how thrilled she was when he followed her on Instagram. No need to say more, Ms. Bridgers—we get it. 

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Now, we're waiting to see what happens next, and if indeed these two are truly over for good. Will there be new breakup songs headed for our Spotify?

Danielle Valente
Digital News Writer

Need a TV show recommendation? Maybe a few decor tips? Danielle, a digital news writer at Future, has you covered. Her work appears throughout the company’s lifestyle brands, including My Imperfect Life, Real Homes, and woman&home. Mainly, her time is spent at My Imperfect Life, where she’s attuned to the latest entertainment trends and dating advice for Gen Z.


Before her time at Future, Danielle was the editor of Time Out New York Kids, where she got to experience the best of the city from the point of view of its littlest residents. Before that, she was a news editor at Elite Daily. Her work has also appeared in Domino, Chowhound, and amNewYork, to name a few. 


When Danielle’s not writing, you can find her testing out a new recipe, reading a book (suggestions always welcome), or rearranging the furniture in her apartment…again.