Pedro Pascal, the Chilean-American actor known for his roles in The Mandalorian, The Last of Us, and the recently released The Fantastic Four: First Steps, has often been described as charismatic and affectionate in public settings. However, fans are starting to push back on Pedro Pascal and his tactile interactions with female co-stars—such as holding hands, hugging, or touching arms and faces. These events have sparked widespread debate.
Pedro Pascal at Star Wars Celebration – YouTube, Star Wars
While some view these as harmless expressions of friendship or coping mechanisms for his self-reported “anxiety,” others label them as “creepy,” “inappropriate,” or overly familiar, especially when involving younger individuals, married women, or pregnant co-stars.
This article focuses on verified public instances between Pedro Pascal and female co-stars involving Bella Ramsey, Sarah Paulson, Giada Colagrande (wife of Willem Dafoe), and Vanessa Kirby, based on viral clips, interviews, and reports from web sources and X discussions.
The Debate Over Pedro Pascal and his “Touchy-Feely” Style with Co-Stars
Pascal has openly discussed struggling with social anxiety during high-pressure events like red carpets and panels. Many have attributed his constant touching of co-stars to be a coping mechanism for this anxiety.
Pedro Pascal at the Cannes Film Festival – Photo Credit: Gabriel Hutchinson Photography, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Supporters, including co-stars like Vanessa Kirby, describe these interactions as mutual and supportive; Kirby called Pascal “incredibly loving” and emphasized their need for closeness to portray a married couple on screen. Critics, however, argue it reflects selective behavior toward women, potentially crossing boundaries in a post-#MeToo era, with some labeling it as predatory or an excuse for unwanted familiarity.
Online, memes and compilations amplify the discourse, with accusations of hypocrisy from defenders, while critics highlight discomfort and question if anxiety justifies repeated patterns of touch.
@thinkers.unite Ranking Top 5 Pedro Pascal Suspicious Touches #top5 #rankingvideos #pedropascal #pedropascalmeme #fantasticfour #fantastic4
Experts attribute such touch to psychological benefits, like oxytocin release that reduces stress, though no such experts have weighted in on Pascal specifically. Despite this, viral videos have led to backlash, with some questioning why his anxiety manifests more around women and accusing him of using it as a shield for behavior that makes observers uncomfortable.
Bella Ramsey (May 1, 2023 – Met Gala and Ongoing The Last of Us Promo)
At the 2023 Met Gala, Pascal was seen hugging and touching arms with Bella Ramsey (then 19, his The Last of Us co-star).
The interaction included Pascal explaining his signature hand-to-chest pose as an anxiety-curbing technique to Ramsey, who patted his hand in response.
@xhockeymakeupx I adore them. And Pedro talking about his anxiety, ugh, I get that so much, like you just feel like you have to hold it sometimes. #pedropascal #bellaramsey #thelastofus #hbo
Critics have amplified concerns over the age gap, calling it inappropriate and creepy for a man of Pascal’s age to be so tactile with a teenager, even in a supportive context, arguing it blurs professional boundaries.
Pedro Pascal hugging co-star Bella Ramsay – X, @painfulships
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Additional verified clips from The Last of Us promo and BTS show hugs, face caressing, and arm-around-shoulder moments. moments.
Bella Ramsey on working with Pedro Pascal in The Last of Us HBO:
“I adore him. He’s just a very safe person. I felt instantly safe with him and was so relieved that we got along. I was so worried. I put so much pressure on our relationship because I knew that we had the rest of… pic.twitter.com/dBVdXg211q
— DomTheBomb (@DomTheBombYT) April 27, 2023
Ramsey has spoken positively, calling Pascal a “very safe person” who helped her through filming, defending the interactions as familial support. However, detractors argue that even mutual affection can be problematic given power dynamics in Hollywood, where younger actors may feel pressured to reciprocate.
Sarah Paulson (July 1, 2025 – Evita Event and Longstanding Friendship)
At the July 1, 2025, press night for Evita at the London Palladium, Pascal and Paulson (longtime friends since the 1990s) walked the red carpet together, sharing hugs, arm wraps, and affectionate poses.
Pedro Pascal and Sarah Paulson at the press night of ‘Evita’ starring Rachel Zegler. pic.twitter.com/fsBJczKxjn
— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) July 1, 2025
While some celebrated it as a “beautiful friendship,” others blasted the interaction as “creepy” and “bizarre,” with social media users and influencers like Sydney Watson calling Pascal “fake” and questioning why such affection isn’t scrutinized more harshly if roles were reversed.
Sarah Paulson & Pedro Pascal via bwaysho pic.twitter.com/hvdtftcvLL
— sarah paulson’s pr (@sarahpaulsbean) July 2, 2025
Critics amplified this by pointing to Vanity Fair’s “oddly timed” feature reframing the story positively, accusing media of protecting Pascal while ignoring fan discomfort. Paulson has described their platonic bond positively, noting she supported him financially early on, and defenders argue the criticism ignores their decades-long, non-romantic history. Yet, skeptics contend that even longstanding friendships don’t excuse public displays that fuel perceptions of over-familiarity.
Giada Colagrande (January 8, 2024 – Willem Dafoe’s Hollywood Walk of Fame Ceremony)
At Willem Dafoe’s Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony on January 8, 2024, Pascal stroked the chin of Giada Colagrande, Dafoe’s wife, while posing for photos.
Willem Dafoe should have knocked this bi-sexual serial groper for touching his wife like that. If Pedro Pascal looked like Harvey Weinstein he’d be in jail. pic.twitter.com/OvBPQJ99Wv
— Royce Lopez (@hippojuicefilm) July 27, 2025
Dafoe stepped in with a finger point and brief serious expression before seeming to laugh it off. The clip resurfaced in July 2025, called “creepy” or predatory by some, with critics arguing it disrespected Colagrande’s marriage and highlighted Pascal’s pattern of unsolicited touch toward women, even in jest.
Defenders point to the laughter and Pascal’s anxiety as context, suggesting it was playful among friends, with no indication of discomfort from Colagrande. Yet, amplified criticisms emphasize how such moments contribute to a broader narrative of Pascal’s handsy reputation, questioning if humor excuses potential oversteps. Additionally, some surmize Dafoe’s laughter could have been performative given how many cameras were present during the event.
Dakota Johnson (May-June 2025 – Materialists Promo)
While not directly touching her, Pedro Pascal has also raised many eyebrows due to his conduct with Materialists co-star Dakota Johnson from a pair of anecdotes shared by Johnson herself.
During promotions for Materialists, Johnson shared that Pedro Pascal jokingly suggested she start an adult subscription website account focused on her toes. According to Johnson, Pascal told her she could “wiggle [her] toe and make money.” She presented it as a lighthearted joke, but many were quick to point out how fast Hollywood would cancel seemingly anyone else for such a comment, even in jest.
Actress Dakota Johnson – Photo Credit: MTV International, CC BY 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
In a separate story from the same promo period, Johnson revealed that Pascal frequently takes and wears her clothes. During an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in June 2025, she pointed out that Pascal was wearing her sweater and explained, “He does that a lot. He takes my clothes,” attributing it to him being “perpetually underdressed.”
Johnson described this Pedro Pascal habit humorously, noting it happens “all the time” and framing it as part of their close friendship and co-star dynamic.
Vanessa Kirby (July 2024-July 2025 – Fantastic Four Promo Tour)
During the Fantastic Four: First Steps press tour (July 2024-2025), multiple clips of Pedro Pascal with pregnant Vanessa Kirby went viral. This includes holding hands, rubbing her arm, placing his hand on her waist or belly, saying “You can’t leave me alone that long!”
Kirby often reciprocates in many interviews with face-stroking and cheek-kissing.
vanessa kirby crashes pedro pascal’s interview
“we’re needy!” 😭🩵 pic.twitter.com/wORMzLAQsx
— best of vanessa kirby (@badpostkirby) July 25, 2025
Critics have slammed these as “creepy” and “inappropriately touchy,” particularly for placing hands on a pregnant woman’s belly without clear invitation, labeling Pascal “Creepascal” in TikTok trends and arguing it invades personal space under the guise of affection.
Kirby described the interactions positively, but online compilations called them “oddly intimate” or “handsy,” sparking consent debates and accusations that Pascal’s anxiety is overused as a defense for behavior that would be condemned if done by others. Earlier verified hand-holding at 2024 Comic-Con was attributed to mutual nervousness, though critics still view it as part of a troubling pattern.
The Broader Context and Reactions
Defenders argue Pascal creates “safe environments” for women, noting reciprocity. Critics, however, see it as “predatory” or an excuse, questioning gender selectivity and amplifying concerns that media reframes stories to downplay discomfort, as seen in Vanity Fair’s coverage of the Evita event.
A screenshot of Pedro Pascal dancing suggestively with a rainbow colored rod suggestively at an event – X, @pascalarchive
No formal allegations of misconduct have surfaced, and involved women have spoken positively. Nevertheless, the debate highlights tensions around consent, mental health, and celebrity scrutiny in internet culture, with critics urging greater accountability for patterns that unsettle many.
Conclusion
Pedro Pascal’s tactile interactions with female co-stars, such as Bella Ramsey, Sarah Paulson, Giada Colagrande, and Vanessa Kirby, are verified public occurrences that reportedly stem from his self-reported anxiety and a desire for connection. Scientifically, such touch can release oxytocin, reducing stress, which aligns with Pascal’s statements about needing physical grounding in high-pressure situations.
However, the online backlash, especially around instances involving younger actors, married women, or pregnant co-stars, raises valid concerns about boundaries and consent in public settings. Critics argue that Pascal’s behavior may appear selective toward women, potentially crossing lines in an era heightened by awareness of personal space and workplace protections, with viral trends like “Creepascal” amplifying accusations of predatory actions or using anxiety as an excuse for discomforting familiarity.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 28: Pedro Pascal speaks onstage during the Mandalorian special launch event at El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California on February 28, 2023. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
Ultimately, Pedro Pascal and his actions involving co-stars highlight a tension between individual mental health needs and societal expectations of professional conduct. As his career continues to evolve, this aspect of his public persona will likely remain a point of contention, necessitating ongoing dialogue about empathy, consent, and the responsibilities of public figures.
How do you feel about Pedro Pascal and his interactions with female co-stars? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
Wasn’t it the Bloodhound Gang that sang “I Wish I was Queer so I Could Get Chicks”? They may have had pedr in mind when they penned that.
I think its interesting that after the #MeToo movement, and all the #BelieveWomen talk, people are still not very interested in what the women involved have to say about their relationships and comfort with Pedro. They are more interested with THEIR comfort, literally saying “if some guy/stranger did this to me…” but hes not “some guy” nor a stranger to the people he is affectionate with.
You bring up some critics “observation” that its only women he does this with, but its not true and a quick internet search proves that.
Also, it should be noted that while Pedro has spoken openly about his anxiety- it is speculation that he uses touch in these instances as a grounding technique- he has not said this. So implying he “uses it as an excuse” is also inaccurate.