Normal People’s Paul Mescal responds to online obsession with his shorts
Actor’s attire has proved a viral hit in recent months, from his tiny shorts to his ‘Normal People’ chain
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Normal People actor Paul Mescal has laughed off paparazzi photographs of him wearing shorts, which have sent social media into overdrive in recent months.
Mescal, who was nominated for an Emmy Award today (28 July) for his role in the TV adaptation of Sally Rooney’s hit novel, has been at the centre of a number of memes related to his attire.
“I’ve been made aware of it,” Mescal told Vulture. “My brother will send me a funny tweet. It’s never really, like, a conversation that goes on for a long time. Because I don’t think it’s very interesting … it’s not something that we talk about for a huge amount of time.”
He continued: “Around the family dinner table, talking about my shorts, it wouldn’t be the most interesting conversation.”
Mescal also shot down claims that his shorts are particularly small in size.
“See, I think to an outsider’s eye, they probably are,” he explained. “But to somebody who’s grown up playing football, they’re unfortunately the standard short length in football.”
In the same interview, Mescal declined to comment on recent reports that he had been spotted eating breakfast with musician Phoebe Bridgers in Dublin.
“Err, I’d rather not talk about that,” Mescal said. “Sorry.”
Mescal’s Emmy nomination was the only nod the blockbuster limited series received at the annual event, which will take place on 20 September.
To read a full list of this year’s nominees, click here.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments