Paul Mescal Padlet by

1. Launch of Acting Career

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Paul realised that he wanted to start acting at the age of 16, where he achieved the lead role of 'Phantom' in his school performance of 'Phantom of the Opera.'

This success gave him the confidence to audition to The Lir Academy at Trinity College Dublin, which he completed and received a Bachler of Arts in Acting in 2017.

2. Irish Theatre Scene

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After finishing his degree, Mescal was offered a role in 'The Great Gatsby' and starred as the titular Jay Gatsby, at the Gate Theatre in Dublin.

He also played the Prince in a contemporary version of the Hans Christian Anderson story 'The Red Shoes.'

The following year (2018), Paul preformed in the Abbey Theatre in Dublin in the world premier of 'Asking for It' by Louise O'Neill.

He also had the lead role in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' for the Kilkenny Arts Festival and 'A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man' for the Dublin Theatre Festival.

Paul finished his Dublin theatre season by preforming in the Gaiety Theatre as Mad Padraic in the play 'The Lieutenant of Inishmore'

3. London Theatre Scene

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In 2018, Mescal made his London stage debut in at the Lyric Theatre Hammersmith, playing Lieut. Langon in 'The Plough and the Stars.' This was a provocative play to the understanding of Ireland in 1916.
*Paul started his career outside of Ireland but still playing an Irish character.

4. Television Debut

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Paul Mescal's debut on TV was initiated by his role as Connell Waldron in the BBC drama 'Normal People.' This show was based on the 2018 novel by Sally Rooney and premiered on BBC Three in the UK and Hulu in the US. This led to a international sensation.

The series goes into depth about first loves and the difficulties that brings whilst. It also showcases the struggles teenagers go through when choosing decisions for their future, stressful exams, leaving school, the switch up into university life and 'the real world.'

4. Gaelic Football

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The role of Connell Waldron was very diverse and expressed a very deep emotional character. However, one of the more simplistic attributes about the teenager was a strong love for Gaelic football. Most young Irish males grow up playing this sport and aim to play for their county one day in the future. This wasn't far from Mescal's true self as he himself played growing up and was on the path to playing seriously before his acting career took off. This created a "fetishization of the GAA shorts" (McIntyre, 2023) and made Mescal to be massive heartthrob to many viewers as the 'jock' which can be recognised globally.

4. Connell's Chain

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The heart throb fan culture continued with an Instagram page of over 130,000 followers just for the characters chain.

4. The Irish Charm

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With the show being set in Ireland, the Irish landscapes and recognisable various locations and lifestyles portrayed through the show 'Normal People' was another reason for it's growth to becoming an international hit. There were staples of Irish youth culture being utilised throughout the narrative such as the possibility of leaving Ireland that made the show engaging for the country and viewers around the world.

4. Connell Waldron

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The character he played portrayed a stereotypical Irish teenage boy, who is emotionally unavailable and confused with his future.
Paul perfectly projected a stereotypical 'Irish lad' with dreams and this complements the story fantastically. The author of the original novel Sally Rooney said "he looked like how I had imagined Connell when I was writing the book" and this is evident with how well he plays the character.
The character that Mescal created visually brought a lot of relatability of young people and the struggles of young adulthood.

Normal People

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4. Covid-19 and Lockdown Lust

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The show was released during the first lockdown when many people had nothing to do and binge culture was on the rise. Binge watching amplifies the storyline as there is no breaks, allowing the viewers to get sucked into the narrative and the character obsession. During the quarantine period, many people were stripped from their daily connections, human interactions and intimacy. It was a very lonely period for some and therefore shows were there in support and with the example of 'Normal People' it provided a 'normal' life and something 'normal' to discuss.

This show may not have been as popular if it was released in other times as it could have been chance of lockdown lust.

5. The Heartthrob and The Fangirls

hsfsteed201501222 — 2023-11-09 11:58:04 UTC

Celebrities all have an appeal that helps build their fame and stardom, whether this is through physical attraction or how they portray their personality. With Paul Mescal, both elements are a huge factor to achieving his stardom title.

5. Crazy Fan Development

hsfsteed201501222 — 2023-11-09 11:58:52 UTC

There can be some backlash when being a 'hearthrob' as fans will continue to fantasize about the star and believe they know them whilst becoming obsessed. Mescal said "97% of (fame) is really nice - then 3%t is somebody, like, grabbing your a**."

5. Paul or Connell?

hsfsteed201501222 — 2023-11-09 12:18:05 UTC

With the creation of Connell Waldron, this brought an element of fantasy to individuals around the world. Like mentioned previously, the character created from 'Normal People' was a 'typical Irish lad' but also brought forward some characteristics of that dream come true for some young women and this greatly benefited Paul to be perceived like the character.

With the show undoubtably launching his career, the question lies; are fans actually obsessed with Paul or the deep character analysis of Connell?

5. Physical Appearance

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Paul has been spotlighted for his Irish grin, sparkling blue eyes, messy hair and casual athlete build which would naturally suit a roman statue.

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Fan edit admiring Mescal's physique

5. Lovable Personality

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Beauty alone is not enough to constantly engage an audience, and Mescal has managed to go further than this, leaving a lasting impression on his audiences.

From on screens, to stages and in interviews, Paul Mescal gives a continuous bubbly character to us that is unusual. Any from various of event, he seems to always give a down to earth approach, not acting like a celebrity but instead someone you know from your home town. He will portray the same professionalism but humorous approach on all platforms from red carpets, to talk shows, to YouTube videos.

5. Mystery Man

hsfsteed201501222 — 2023-11-09 13:14:07 UTC

Paul left social media in 2020 in order to protect himself from negative comments and the build up this can have on your mental health.

Celebrities create a sense of mystery not being contactable and social media gives fans an insight into their life. Influencers and content creators expose themselves and their lives a lot more than on various social platforms.

The stars who are less active on social media have the power to project what they want, giving the audience less opportunity to create a story based on what they put out.

Paul not being active on social media leaves his fans extremely curious and wanting constantly to know more. This move from Mescal was almost a way to make him a continuous conversation over TikTok and Twitter, benefiting his fame.

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This fan described the boy she sees in a coffee to look like 'Connell Waldron' instead of saying Paul Mescal.

Relatability

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Tweet from fans finding images of Paul on his sister's social media.

BAFT Best Actor 2021

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'Normal People' gave Paul the opportunity to win his first award at the British Academy Television Awards for Leading Actor. The speech he made was very humble and broadcasted to the public how appreciative he was to win this award.

6. Film Breakthrough

hsfsteed201501222 — 2023-11-09 19:24:11 UTC

In 2021, Paul Mescal debuted in the film 'The Lost Daughter' alongside massive stars such as Dakota Johnston and Oliva Colman who said she was 'giddy' when meeting him. Colman stated that she "couldn't look him in the eyes when we first met. He's just so kind and nice and a good person. He loves his family and he's so brilliant in what he does. His work is beautiful."

Hearing a star such as Olivia Colman who is a BAFT, EMMY and Golden Globe winner, highlights Mescal's talent and creates a platform for him to the audience and potential future directors.

Paul plays an Irish student on a working holiday in Greece, which continues this character we know him well for in previous productions - the working class Irish guy that is memorable to the audience, aiding to his fame.

6. Aftersun

hsfsteed201501222 — 2023-11-09 19:44:04 UTC

The movie Aftersun was released in May 2021 and showcases Mescal for the first time in a slightly different light but still continuing some similar characteristics from previous watches. He plays a working class single father who struggles with depression and anxiety. The emotional vulnerability portrayed on screen by Mescal, brings the audience to close him and the character, similarly to Connell Waldron in 'Normal People'

The movie was premiered at Cannes Film Festival 2022 alongside 'God's Creatures' another Paul had starred in the same year. The annual Cannes Film festival originates to 1938 and is a monumental break for anyone in Hollywood film and around the world. These films entered him into a new world of film and was exposed to many new potential opportunities.

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Complication of moving scenes from Aftersun

7. Film Awards 2023

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He received nominations at the Academy Awards for Best Actor, the BAFTS for Leading Role and the monumental Oscars for Best Actor. Even though he did not win, interviews of him on red carpets went viral and his presence was significantly known. Media outlets wanted him on their content, a winner or not.

Paul says in this interview that the Oscars are "legacy making" and this is notable in the Padlet.

Does Paul Mescal think he is a heartthrob?

hsfsteed201501222 — 2023-11-09 20:17:58 UTC

Paul Mescal being interviewed by the viral comedian Amelia Dimoldenberg.

7. Red Carpet Interview in Irish

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Something significant for Irish people, was Paul's interview at the BAFTS red carpet with TG4, which he answered a full interview in Irish. This shocked audience with the question of "is there anything he can't do?"

Even through massive success, Mescal is still able to relate to his roots and humbly showcase himself on Irish national television. Audiences admire anything patriarchal and relatable, allowing Paul to always reach the hearts at home.

8. A Streetcar Named Desire 2023

hsfsteed201501222 — 2023-11-09 20:56:34 UTC

Taking a short break from the film industry, Paul returns to West End to preform in 'A Streetcar Named Desire' which Times's Dominic Maxwell thought that he "makes the latent violence of Stanley Kowalski into something easy, tangible, vibrant yet unactorly."

It is seen that Paul Mescal is able to portray emotion and feeling into very single character he plays and use all these skills on various entertainment platforms stage, to television and film.

He won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor and accepted the award with a moving speech.

8. Olivier Awards Speech

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10. Style Sensation

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The trend setting began in 'Normal People' with the strong feature of the O'Neil's football shorts. Adaptations of these shorts started popping up in different stores around the world and put the Irish sportwear company on big demand.

9. Phoebe Bridges

hsfsteed201501222 — 2023-11-09 21:03:20 UTC

Paul Mescal ended his two year relationship with singer/songwriter Phoebe Bridges in December 2022, however neither of them had announced this, which made fans unsatisfied and hunger for information. Speculations began when Phoebe became publicly closer with Bo Burnham and singing seemingly aimed songs at Mescal. When asked, Paul will not give a clear response but gets very mad and upset when people are "prodding" in his business. This 'prodding' was meaning constant viral content being circulated of opinions and questions on the situation, spreading Paul's name around and increasing fame.

Charity Contribution

hsfsteed201501222 — 2023-11-09 21:04:03 UTC

Mescal set up an auction to give away his infamous chain from 'Normal People.' He raised £62,590 and donated this to Pieta House, an Irish mental health charity. As he struggles with depression himself, this auction allowed him to relate and reach many others on a personal level.

The Typical Irish Lad

hsfsteed201501222 — 2023-11-09 23:41:33 UTC

"The idea of celebrity types needs nuancing in terms of class, gender, race and ethnicity, and sexuality. The celebrity occupies identity positions through which ideology and power relations are negotiated and articulated. The celebrity type, then, is a blended construction not simply because of fluidity in the way they occupy the stage, but because they are always given multiple identity positions that shape their status"(Redmond, 2014).

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"The participatory culture that builds around celebrity fandom can be argued to be regenerative, effecting the production and reception of the figure, as fans creatively transcode their meaning, produce and transmit new ways of understanding the celebrity, and engage in new forms of collective interaction". (Redmond, 2014)

Fan Complication

hsfsteed201501222 — 2023-11-09 23:55:05 UTC

One of the many fan edits on TikTok showcases their obsession with the actor.

The fandom take pieces from different media outlets that feature Mescal and create an idea of what his persona truly is. This is spread and gossiped throughout social media. Due to Mescal not having social media, the fans are creating their own reception of Paul.

hsfsteed201501222 — 2023-11-10 00:35:36 UTC

"Though a star will invariably enact and maintain
their established public persona when making such appearances, these do also provide some opportunity for stars to reveal (and audiences to glimpse) aspects of the ‘real person’ or, at least, they promise this opportunity even when it is seldom granted" (Shingler, 2012).

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"Much work has been done on the relationship
between the very public life of film stars and their private lives and off-screen activities (e.g., politics, campaigning and charity work) and how all these domains are ultimately involved in the construction of a star’s identity" (Shingler, 2012).

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"Scandal can split a star’s private life in two, rumour and
gossip can divide audiences into two groups: those ‘in-the-know’ and everyone else" (Shingler, 2012)

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"In the early episodes of the series, Connell appears to be a successful GAA player who scores the winning goal at the end of a Gaelic football school match, creating excitement on Twitter (Palmer). Fans on Twitter appear to celebrate Connell not only for his athletic abilities, but also because he symbolizes, and advertises to the rest of the world, something uniquely Irish, GAA. Because of his athletic success, Connell seems to command the respect of his high-school male peers, and without realizing it, he becomes the object of desire for his female peers" (Bollas, 2022).

hsfsteed201501222 — 2023-11-10 01:22:02 UTC

"In addition to owning his sexuality, enjoying sex, and not being taken aback by his or his partner’s nudity, actively ensuring that his partner agrees and enjoys having sex with him becomes another characteristic of this new, post-Celtic man" (Bollas, 2022).

hsfsteed201501222 — 2023-11-10 01:43:33 UTC

"A BBC/Hulu co-production with support from Screen Ireland, the series’ near-simultaneous release in the UK, Ireland and the US, as well as further afield, seemingly demonstrated television’s power to construct a transnational viewing public at a time of physical atomisation due to measures taken to curtail the virus" (McIntyre, 2023).

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"The programme reactivated tropes of Irishness as a salve to contemporary stresses that has a genealogy going back to The Quiet Man (1952) and beyond, while simultaneously invoking a nostalgia for a more recent past when mobility within and beyond the nation was a thing of ease for those with adequate means to do so." (McIntyre, 2023)

10. Style inspo focused around Mescal

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10. Lo-Key and Humble

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Paul was invited to a Gucci party at a prestige venue in London, but did not wear what everyone was expecting. Obviously dressed in all Gucci, but providing a very minimalist look of a white tee and jeans. Unknown to many, this was part of a wider move at Gucci. Gucci's new plan was to return to minimal fashion, for customers who buy well but don't want to shout about where their clothes are from. Understanding Paul's subtle and humble attitude, this statement worked perfectly and geared him in a direction for the future in fashion.

10. From footy shorts to custom suits

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Paul Mescal explains that with age and confidence he has been able to explore and experiment with different styles. He is able to project his personality to the audience this way and rather than wearing a basic black suit, he adds his touch to it. This uniqueness from the star makes him stand out from the crowd and noticeable more than others, either walking down the street or on the red carpet.

10. Inspiring and Educating

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Many fans of Paul's fashion have made videos breaking down his different looks, putting him on a pedestal of stardom.

10. Gucci Campaign 2023

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The actor stars in the new Gucci campaign, celebrating 70 years the Horsebit Loafer in its original, classic 1953 style.

This is a monumental step in Paul's career to be recognised by Gucci as a fashion icon and worthy enough to be the face of one of their most popular pieces. This could bring potential modelling opportunities for the star in the future.

hsfsteed201501222 — 2023-11-10 03:42:12 UTC

"Celebrities are developed to make money. Their names and images are used to market lingerie, swimwear, fragrances, and sports shoes, as well as the products of the entertainment industries: films,\ DVDs, magazines, newspapers, television programmes – even the evening news. Media entrepreneurs want celebrities involved with their projects because they believe this will help them attract audiences. The celebrity can develop their public persona as a commercial asset and their career choices, in principle, should be devoted to focusing on that objective. As the asset appreciates – as the celebrity's fame spreads – so does its earning capacity." (Turner, 2013)

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"A structurally embedded relationship between the news media and the publicity arm of the celebrity industry compromises the independence of the news media and its capacity to simply tell the truth as it sees it – or just run the stories it wants to and that it thinks its audiences might want to read. It accompanies the observation that celebrity material has inserted itself increasingly into our media diet and that this is the result of the increasing power of publicity" (Turner, 2013).