Sarah Paulson and Holland Taylor’s romance has been one for the ages — and it all started with a little social media flirtation!
Paulson and Taylor met in 2005 — an entire decade before they actually began dating. The lovebirds, who first crossed paths at a party, were both in committed relationships at the time. However, the sparks were undeniable.
While it took the pair quite a few years to find their way back following their initial meet-cute, a little new age flirting on social media turned out to be exactly what they needed to take the next step.
During a January 2019 episode of Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen, Paulson revealed that the two “sort of breezed by one another, and then started following each other on Twitter.” When fellow guest Billy Eichner asked, “Did Holland Taylor slide into your DMs?” Paulson responded: “Yeah, she actually did! It’s pretty great!”
After confirming their romance in 2015, the couple have become an “iconic” pairing to the masses, known not only for being a staple LGBTQIA+ relationship in Hollywood but for the large age gap that exists between them, which spans 32 years.
Despite the naysayers, Paulson just hopes their choice to go public with their “unconventional” love speaks to others.
“I didn’t choose to fall in love with the person I fell in love with. But I think why it’s interesting to people is that on paper, it’s unconventional,” Paulson told Elle during a 2018 interview. “For a person who might find themselves in a situation that they fear will be misperceived or judged, maybe they could see me living my life in a way that is authentic to me — just trying to be as real as possible. If that inspires anybody else, that can’t be a bad thing.”
Scroll through to relive Paulson and Taylor’s storybook romance:
2005
The actors allegedly met at a dinner party they attended. While nothing happened romantically due to both women being in committed relationships, Paulson told the New York Times in 2016 that Taylor was “the most exquisitely beautiful woman” she had ever met.
November 2015
The Morning Show actress confirmed that she was dating a younger woman. “There’s a very big age difference between us which I’m sure shocks a lot of people, and it startles me,” she said during an interview with radio station WNYC. “But as they say, ‘If she dies, she dies.’”
Later that month, Taylor posted a photo of Paulson via Twitter dressed in a ballgown, writing, “When captions fail …”
January 2016
While the pair had yet to confirm their romance, they walked the red carpet during the 2016 Critics Choice Awards, even snapping a photo with Regina King together from backstage.
March 2016
The Bird Box actress confirmed during an interview with the New York Times that she was in a relationship with Taylor.
“I can say absolutely that I am in love, and that person happens to be Holland Taylor,” she gushed about her new partner, but clarified that she wasn’t labeling her sexuality. “If my life choices had to be predicated based on what was expected of me from a community on either side, that’s going to make me feel really straitjacketed, and I don’t want to feel that.”
When discussing the “surreal” attention that came with such a large age gap between them, Paulson revealed that “there’s a poignancy to being with someone older … I think there’s a greater appreciation of time and what you have together and what’s important, and it can make the little things seem very small. It puts a kind of sharp light mixed with a sort of diffused light on something.”
September 2016
Following Paulson’s win for Outstanding Lead in a Limited Series at the 2016 Primetime Emmy Awards for her work in The People vs. OJ Simpson, the Florida native gave the Stand In star a shoutout during her acceptance speech.
“Hi, Holland — Holland Taylor, if you’re watching, I love you.”
Taylor, for her part, took to Twitter to respond to the declaration, writing, “If I’m watching…?? If I’m WATCHING??? YES, I’m watching–!!! good LORD! … I LOVE you!!!”
January 2017
Taylor gushed about her relationship with Paulson during a radio interview with SiriusXM’s “Sandyland.”
“I’m the luckiest person in the world,” she told host Sandra Bernhard at the time. “I can’t talk about my life today and not mention this wonderful love.”
She continued: “[The relationship] has to be part of what is the most wonderful thing in my life. The whole embrace of this wonderful relationship, which makes everything else makes sense.”
October 2018
Paulson reflected on the public’s fascination with the age gap between her and Taylor during an interview with Elle.
“I didn’t choose to fall in love with the person I fell in love with. But I think why it’s interesting to people is that on paper, it’s unconventional,” she explained to the outlet. “For a person who might find themselves in a situation that they fear will be misperceived or judged, maybe they could see me living my life in a way that is authentic to me — just trying to be as real as possible. If that inspires anybody else, that can’t be a bad thing.”
December 2018
On New Year’s Day, Paulson posted a selfie via Instagram of herself and Taylor donning sparkly New Year’s Eve hats as they embrace each other. “The Only One. #happynewyear 💕🎯💕🙌🏼👌🏼🎯🙏🏻❤️❤️❤️,” she captioned the post.
January 2019
During an appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, Paulson revealed that the way she and Taylor reconnected after meeting 10 years prior was through the Good Behavior star’s bold social media flirtation.
The Goldfinch actress told Cohen that the two had “breezed by each other” at a party and then “began following each other on Twitter.” When fellow guest Eichner asked, “Holland Taylor slid into your DMs?” Paulson replied: “She actually did, yes! It’s pretty great!”
September 2019
When asked to describe her dynamic with Paulson, Taylor gushed to Fox 11 LA: “She’s really a person of such variety it’s hard to describe her, and this is one reason why she’s a great actor. We’re not alike as actors. She’s a chameleon … She’s just a profoundly gifted performer.”
January 2020
During an exclusive interview with Us Weekly, the Pennsylvania native joked that it was a “mystery” as to why the Mrs. America alum was still with her.
“I’m surprised by Sarah. I mean, that we love each other and respond to each other this way is not the surprise, but that she would make a commitment like this and that she would share her life with me is a constant surprise every day really,” Taylor told Us at the time.
She added that Paulson, who is “the center of her life,” is “very brave” and “very truthful” for being in a relationship with such a large age gap.
“I basically am following her lead and I’m blessed,” she gushed.
Sepember 2020
Following the virtual 2020 Primetime Emmy Awards, Harper’s Bazaar published an interview between the Run star and Roxanne Gay in which the two discussed the public’s fascination with the couple’s age gap.
Paulson, for her part, shared her belief that it stems from “the fear of our own immortality” and “our own ageist thinking and the idea that to be old is to cease to have any desire.” She added that while most reactions to her relationship are overwhelmingly positive, “anybody says anything about any person I love in a way that is disrespectful or cruel and I want to cut a bitch.”
December 2020
For her girlfriend’s 46th birthday, Taylor took to social media to honor her love. “Yes, but listen— y’all have no idea,” she captioned a post of Paulson sitting in what is seemingly a restaurant booth. “Happy Birthday to my one and only. I’m grateful you were born, @mssarahcatharinepaulson.”
January 2021
Paulson took to her own Instagram for Taylor’s 78th birthday to celebrate her partner’s special day.
“All roads lead me to this face, those eyes, that soul,” she wrote alongside a black and white photo of the performer. “You are, quite simply — everything to me. Here’s looking at you kid. Today. Tomorrow. Always.”
January 2022
The American Crime Story star returned to social media a year later to once again celebrate The Orville alum’s birthday, captioning a warmly toned photo of the actress, “Love of my life. The one. The only one. January 14th is my favorite day of the year. A day to unabashedly celebrate you.” @hollandtaylor I am the luckiest of lucky. I love you only.”
She concluded the post: “Happy Birthday, my poetic magical darling.”
April 2022
As Taylor wrapped up her off-Broadway stint with the show ANN at the Pasadena Theatre, Paulson honored her longtime love’s dedicated performance.
“The love of my life @hollandtaylor is closing her show tonight,” she wrote via Instagram alongside a photo of Taylor performing on stage. “I have loved her for 7 years and counting… and tonight, as she brings this production in for its landing, I have never loved her more. She is an artist to the marrow… I happen to love a genius. That’s really the truth.”
Paulson continued to gush about her partner, adding that “to be inspired by the artistry of the person you share your life with, is the most glorious thing in this world.”
“I love you, I admire you, I worship you, @hollandtaylor,” she wrote.
September 2022
Taylor joined her love on the red carpet for a special date night at the Emmys. Paulson rocked a custom, deep purple Louis Vuitton two-piece set for the event with a bejeweled belt. Taylor, meanwhile, wore a gold-and-black tweed jacket with a black top and pants, accessorizing with gold jewelry.
The Gloria Bell actress made sure to give her leading lady some time for solo photographs on the carpet, as she was nominated for lead actress for American Crime Story: Impeachment for her role as Linda Tripp.
November 2022
“Thankful,” Paulson captioned a Thanksgiving selfie with Taylor.
August 2023
Paulson praised Taylor during an appearance on Chelsea Handler’s “Dear Chelsea” podcast.
“I think she’s the smartest, wisest, funniest, most extraordinary person I’ve ever met,” Paulson gushed. “She sort of pulls me out of my tendency to be anxious or sort of hysterical in doubting my own abilities. And she’s sort of constantly reminding me of how capable I am.”
She added that Taylor — who is 32 years Paulson’s senior — is often confused as to why the pair are together.
“She’s constantly saying to me, ‘Why are you with me? Why are you doing this? What are you doing? You’re a very strange person,” Paulson quipped. “She says all the time, ‘You’re very strange for doing this.’ And I’m like, ‘Really? Is it? I don’t know.’”
January 2024
Paulson shared a slideshow of personal photos via Instagram to celebrate Taylor’s 81st birthday. “Happy Birthday to my one and only love. You are, quite simply — my world. I love you,” she captioned the pics.
June 2024
Paulson won her first Tony Award on June 19 for her performance in the play Appropriate.
“Holland, thank you for loving me,” she gushed in her speech.
