The ‘sweet’ truth behind photos of Natalie Portman, 42, and Paul Mescal, 28, that set the internet on fire-Robert Oliver-Entertainment – Metro

Natalie Portman and Paul Mescal have sent the internet into a spin (Picture: NASH / BACKGRID)

If you’ve had a scrolling sesh in the last 24 hours, you’ll have no doubt spotted those pictures of Natalie Portman and Paul Mescal.

The Star Wars actress, 42, and the Normal People star, 28, were recently seen sharing a cigarette outside of a popular London bar.

Since they hit social media, the images have had fans giddy with excitement over what appears to be a budding friendship between the usually private Paul and recent divorcee Natalie.

The two were seen giggling and chatting together outside The Bar With No Name, an Islington haunt which also goes by the name Bar 69.

Paul, who dated singer and songwriter Phoebe Bridgers, 29, for two years, has apparently been single since his split from the Boy Genius member in 2022.

Meanwhile, Natalie recently finalised her high-profile divorce from French dancer and choreographer Benjamin Millepied, 46, after rumours of an affair on Benjamin’s part.

The two stars are ‘enjoying’ each other’s ‘attention and company’ (Pictures: NASH / BACKGRID)

The Normal People actor has kept tight-lipped about his relationship status (Picture:: David Fisher/Shutterstock)

With speculation about Natalie and Paul’s relationship status now rife, body language expert Judi James has weighed in on what the pictures are actually telling us.

‘There’s no sign that Natalie is flirting here but Paul’s body language suggests he’s enjoying her attention and her company and maybe even a little sweetly in awe of her,’ Judi told Metro.co.uk.

She continued: ‘[He’s in awe] to the point where he looks slightly shy, giggling while putting one arm up in a barrier and even touching his own face in what looks like a bid to keep her attention on him.’

The two were spotted outside Bar 69 in Islington (Picture: NASH / BACKGRID)

‘Anybody who watched their Actors on Actors knew this link was inevitable’ (Picture: NASH / BACKGRID)

Natalie and Paul looked relaxed as they shared a cigarette (Picture: NASH / BACKGRID)

But while Paul might be in awe of the award-winning Black Swan actress, it doesn’t sound like we’re going to be hearing any further romance rumours in the future.

‘They are clearly enjoying each other’s company. There is a space between them that is big enough to be politely sociable. [But] rather than intimate, there are no signals from either of them to suggest they would like to get closer here.

‘Paul part-sits against a wall with his torso facing away and although Natalie is facing him she has her cigarette up near her face and her other hand stuffed into her pocket.’

They chatted while wearing near-matching outfits (Picture: NASH / BACKGRID)

Natalie recently divorced from husband of 11 years Benjamin Millepied (Picture: Getty)

However, that hasn’t stopped people speculating that love could be in the air between the two, with several fans on social media saying they ‘look cute together’.

On Twitter, user @Bigflaneurgiant said: ‘Anybody who watched their Actors on Actors knew this link was inevitable. I mean, my god, the chemistry and heat.’

Variety’s Actors on Actors is a series that brings together a pair of movie stars to engage in one-on-one discussions about their work and the industry – Paul and Natalie’s episode from 2023 apparently went over very well.

Earlier this year, Paul devotees thought he might have soft-launched a relationship with American actress Ayo Edebiri after the pair celebrated St. Patrick’s Day together.

Despite all the speculation, the All of Us Strangers actor has remained tight-lipped about his relationship status.

He told Harper’s Bazaar that he is uncomfortable with fans’ fascination over his relationships: ‘It’s nobody else’s business because it’s indecent.’

‘And it’s unkind,’ he continued. ‘Honest answer, it makes me angry… It’s the entitlement to the information that people expect that just drives me mad.’

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