In a scene that has sparked rumors and raised eyebrows, Natalie Portman was seen enjoying a lively evening with Paul Mescal in north London on Tuesday. The "Black Swan" star, 42, and the "All of Us Strangers" actor, 28, were captured in high spirits outside the trendy cocktail bar 69 Colebrooke Row in Islington.
Despite the cheerful demeanor and apparent connection, a source close to the actors insists that Portman and Mescal are "just friends." Reps for both did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The timing of their outing is notable as Portman recently finalized her divorce from choreographer Benjamin Millepied in February. The couple, who married in 2012, share two children, Aleph, 12, and Amalia, 7. The split followed allegations of Millepied’s infidelity, but friends of Portman report she is in a “phoenix rising” phase, looking and feeling better than ever.
Mescal, known for his role in "Aftersun," was previously in a high-profile relationship with singer Phoebe Bridgers. The two sparked breakup rumors in late 2022, and Bridgers confirmed her new relationship with Bo Burnham in May 2023.
Whether Portman and Mescal's friendship evolves remains to be seen, but for now, their evening in London has certainly caught public attention.
