Paul Mescal Revealed The Viral Rumor About Him That Really Upset His Mom: "Isn't That Devastating?"

Paul Mescal has reached a level of fame that causes rumors to pop up constantly.

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In fact, the Gladiator II actor recently opened up about one rumor that troubled his mother, Dearbhla.

Paul Mescal in a double-breasted suit with a striped shirt stands in front of a leafy background
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On Tuesday, GQ revealed that Paul is their latest cover star, and he spoke with the publication ahead of the premiere of the follow-up Gladiator film.

Paul Mescal kneels in a gladiator costume holding sand in an arena setting
Aidan Monaghan / © Paramount Pictures / Courtesy Everett Collection

During his conversation, Paul was reminded of TikTok videos that claimed he would take his dates on a walk after a one-night stand only to run away from them.

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Neil Mockford/GC Images

Paul said he, his brother Donnacha, and his sister Nell found the rumors funny, but his mom did not.

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Jerod Harris / Getty Images

"We were looking at the videos and we were pissing ourselves at it. Categorically untrue. And we were laughing, laughing, laughing, laughing," he told GQ.

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Dave Benett / Getty Images for Netflix

"And the one thing that upset me was that I was in the kitchen, I remember my mum looking at the videos and she was getting upset. Isn't that devastating?" he continued.

Paul and his mom on the red carpet
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Paul said the rumor was funny to him and his siblings because they're more attuned to how "the internet works" and even called the videos "hilarious."

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Jeff Spicer / Getty Images

However, his mother didn't have the same perspective. "If it was true, it'd be fucking bad, but as a rumor, it's funny," he said. "Then I was like, Oh, if you're a mother, her impulse is to come out and be like, 'He wouldn't do this.'"

  Karwai Tang / WireImage / Getty Images
Karwai Tang / WireImage / Getty Images

Well, there you have it. There's nothing like a mother's instinct to protect their son. You can read Paul's full interview with GQ here, and let us know in the comments below if you're excited to see Gladiator II!