This story reminds me that American Horror Story is coming back in October, (there’s no definite return date yet), and that venerable lead actress Jessica Lange will be back. I’ll save some mild spoilers for the end of this post, and let this be a warning that you shouldn’t read further if you want to avoid them, although they won’t ruin it for anyone. This show has so many insane twists and turns it’s impossible to spoil unless you get minute-by-minute details of the plot.
Moving on to this story, The Enquirer claims that Jessica Lange, 63, is in a relationship with her co-star Sarah Paulson, 37. You might know Sarah as the creepy clairvoyant friend of Jessica’s character, Constance. The way this story is worded makes it unclear whether Lange and Paulson were already together when they worked on American Horror Story. Either way, they’ve known each other for years. Lange was previously in a long term relationship with actor Sam Shepard, they were together for almost three decades, have two children together, and separated around 2009. Apparently, Paulson was there for Lange during her breakup and in the past year or so it turned into something more:
“Jessica and Sarah’s friendship has recently blossomed into a full-on romance,” a close source confirmed to The Enquirer. “They’ve been dating for the past year, but they’ve been close friends for much longer than that.”
Ironically, Jessica turned to Sarah after her relationship with Sam collapsed in 2009.
“Sarah was a good friend and a shoulder to cry on,” said the source. “Eventually, their friendship blossomed into love.”
According to the source, Sarah, 37, who formerly dated Tony winner Cherry Jones, has had a crush on Jessica since 2005, when they appeared on Broadway together in “The Glass Menagerie.”
“Jessica’s always been a free spirit who doesn’t like to put labels on people. She says she loves whoever [sic] she loves, and Sarah makes her really happy.”
[From The National Enquirer, print edition, September 3, 2012]
Good for them. The age difference seems a bit much to me, but 37 is not 27, and Paulson is a grown woman. They’re both such talented actresses too. Paulson wasn’t on my radar prior to AHS, but she was superb at playing creepy and foreboding. AHS creator Ryan Murphy has confirmed that Paulson will be back, as will Lange’s character’s homicidal dead son, Evan Peters (Tate) and Zachary Quinto. Given how whack this show is, just about anyone could come back in whatever role Murphy can scare up. There’s no continuity within a single episode, we can’t expect it between seasons.
Mild spoilers for upcoming season of AHS
As for what’s next for American Horror Story, it’s going to be set in an asylum run by nuns in 1964, with Jessica Lange running the joint. I want to have closure on some of the plotlines from last season, particularly the demon spawn kid, but honestly I don’t remember enough of them to care too much. If you’d like to see some teasers for the upcoming season, FX has put six short video previews on Facebook. I think the first video is the creepiest.
Update: The Daily Mail reports that Jessica Lange’s “spokeman” told them “This story is completely fabricated and untrue.” I was hoping it was. Maybe they’re just good friends then.
These photos are from 8-12-12 (Sarah in a red floral dress), 3-2-12 (Sarah in the multicolor floral dress, Jessica in red), 3-10-11 (Sarah in red, Jessica in blue) and 8-20-11 (Sarah in black, Jessica in red). Credit: WENN.com
If true: from Sam Shepherd to Sarah Paulson-interesting.
Her rep denied this yesterday
I have to say the pictures kinda look otherwise. Lesbian, OK, May-December, OK; but the way they look together, it would be kinda like dating your mother. A little weird.
Yep, those pics wig me out just as much as if it were a “traditional” may-december thing. I want to give her kudos for doing what any man in her position would do (i.e. a hot younger women), but I can’t ever feel but sorry for the younger women in these situations. Actually, I felt bad for Ashton, too, so let’s just say I always feel bad for the younger party.
Wow, I did not see this one coming.
Sarah Paulson was the female lead in the short lived Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip.
PS- I liked that show.
She was also the star of one of my favorite TV shows, American Gothic.
“Someone’s at the door, Caleb.”
Oh I LOVED that show! 🙂
Merlyn Temple. I still say “Someone’s at the dough-wah” in her thick Southern accent if someone rings our bell or knocks.
You guys have made me so freaking happy to know there are other people who liked that show as much as me! I always think of it whenever I see Gary Cole, Sarah Paulson, Lucas Black or the guy from Justified (Nick something). That show was so good! Pretty ballsy for its time, too.
Yeah, Nick Searcy, he’s amazing! Sarah was on Deadwood too with Tim Olyphant. Love her!
I was obsessed with AG when it came out and was really disappointed when it was cancelled. When I first saw AHS it reminded me a lot of AG, so it was extra awesome when Sarah Paulson showed up on it.
OMG. I loved that show.
Someone’s at the daw – a. I had no idea that was her.
I liked that show, too, except for her. I thought she over-acted in it. I felt like she was performing for the stage not the small screen, which ruined the overall vibe of her scenes for me, if that makes sense.
Me too! I think she’s also done some writing and directing too.
Yhey’re both amazing, so more power to them if it is true.
Although I’m quite jealous of Jessica Lange getting to nail Sam Shepard for thirty years! I’ve always though he was a hunk.
She also has a daughter with Baryshnikov. Something else to be jealous of.
Good for her. A romance with someone young and vibrant is just what the doctor orders after a breakup of a long term relationship.
Best to ya, gals!
I didn’t see that one coming.
I don’t really see a problem with this relationship. Both are underrated talented actresses that I enjoy watching. I hope it works out for them.
Paulson was excellent in Game Change.
Don’t they say that some bisexual people tend to gravitate more towards the opposite side of the spectrum as they age (they turn towards the opposite gender if they were predominantly gay, or the same gender if they were predominantly straight)? Maybe I’m wrong, but I seem to remember that this is the case.
Anyway, as long as they’re happy, no one should object. Jessica has always been very reserved and professional and, as far as I can remember, she has never been involved in any scandals. Which is to say, she’s a true star and not a fame whore. Thus, good for them!
Welcome to the land of biphobia: Bisexual people ARE NEITHER “predominantly” GAY, NOR ARE THEY “predominantly” STRIGHT!
They are BISEXUAL which means that THEY ARE PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO BE ATTRACTED – romantically and/or sexually – TO PEOPLE OF MORE THAN ONE SEX/GENDER. Not necessarily at the same time, not necessarily in the same way, and not necessarily to the same degree.
Oh, sorry. I didn’t mean to be rude. I just stated (rather clumsily, as we can both see) that there are some bisexual people who have a strong preference for one or another gender, just as there are others who don’t. As far as I know, bisexuality is quite complex and there are many possibilities and manifestations.
It wasn’t my intention to offend anyone. I apologize if I did.
It´s just important to acknowledge that (sexual) identities can only be defined by the people themselfes and not by the people they are currently with. You would not want to be labeled as “asexual” by family, friends and strangers when you are single, would you? Because you would still know (in your heart, mind and pants) otherwise, right? 😀
meh, good for them if true.. Can’t wait for AHS to come back, so excited!
I’ve loved Sarah for years, esp on Studio 60. Good for them!
talk about things that make you go hmmmmmm.
Not that I’m saying this is true, but Paulson used to be with Cherry Jones who is 55, so age gaps obviously don’t bother her.
P.S. Sarah Paulson is totally one of my celebrity crushes.
Paulson and her lisp drive me nuts. I’m always dismayed to see she’s in the cast. And that production of THE GLASS MENAGERIE where they met was one of the worst shows I’ve seen.
Sam Sheppard is still so HOT. Ah well!
I kind of see some chemistry between them. Maybe they really just are great friends.
And the thing is I see them as having more of a mother-daughter or mentor-mentee who turns around and helps out the mother/mentor years later down the road vibe. Women can be close friends who love each other solely in a platonic way. I don’t know if the denial is true or not but I’m not buying this is more than a wishful thinking rumor.
Hmmm. Color me surprised.
Well good for them! I love Jessica! Sarah is one of those actors that u have seen a bunch of times but never know their names. Cant wait for the new season!
Whether this story is true or not, all I have to say is, they are both DAMN SEXY! Seriously. And just looking at the pictures of them together, they obviously have a smoking chemistry, whether as friends or lovers. Or both.
They look like mother and daughter to me.
YES!!!
When I saw the photo I thought to myself “oh, that must be j.lange’s daughter.”
Agree
they do! and jessica always looks sort of scary/creepy to me, i don’t know why.
I couldn’t agree more. She used to be gorgeous. Her surgical tweaks/overhauls have destroyed her beauty and given her a creepy look.
I like Jessica if only for the fact I got to watch someone try to off Goopy on the big screen. Ha ha. What an incredible actress she is. I hate that her rep denied this story yesterday, I could see these two together.
I wish this was true. They would make a cute couple. They look great together in the pics and really happy.
Whether or not this story is true, all I can say is bless her heart, Jessica Lange sure has NOT aged well. She was once a great beauty, and now… good grief, somebody has wrecked her face. Glad she’s still working though, what a great actress!
Friends or more, it’s nice that they are clise and supportive, and get to work together again.
I won’t be back for AHS season 2- I thought it started off so good and then turned really crappy, a signature of many Ryan Murphy shows.
probably is true but they are not talking yet, instead seeing where it could go.
of course her spokesman would deny it.
it may come out eventually, if it lasts.
if not, hopefully they remain friends.
LOVE them both, especially Jessica Lange, she is one of my fav actresses and she has held up quite well.
The storyline is going to be completely different. Each season is basically going to be its own story, which means they can kill anyone, or keep anyone. So basically, any closure you were hoping for is probably not going to happen.
Their reps may say no but their body language says hell yes!
Agreed! They seem like a really nice couple, and look like they genuinely enjoy each other’s company.
Good for them. I hope they find many years of happiness together.
I thought it was her daughter…ewww!
Jessica has been fantastically good in everything she’s done, from “Frances” to “Blue Skies” & “Grey Gardens” & everything else. Before Sam, she was with Mikail Baryshnikov for years. I think they have a daughter.
I’m sorry that she messed with her face so much. The ps did her no favors.
Oh Hell, I didn’t know Jessica Lange was a lesbian. Well, she’s been out of the public eye a very long time. Congratulations to her and her partner. I know her as #2 of the modern actresses after Meryl Streep. I hope she is going to make more movies. I always enjoyed her work.
Agree !
Nah….don’t believe it.
Sam Sheppard is still so HOT
How bizarre. I read that she and Sam where back together. Now she’s a lesbian???
In those pics,they look like a couple. Maybe they are just friends.
If this story is true – good for them.
If this story is false, and published as a known lie, it will make me very angry. It will have shown the biased belief that same gender people cannot be friends if one is gay. It will also encourage the false belief that a gay person will try to “lure you over to their side” if you’re straight.
You have to see Down With Love, if you haven’t already. It’s Mad Man-era Rock Hudson/Doris Day fun, with Renee Zellweger romancing Ewan McGregor, and Paulson romancing David Hyde Pierce. The production is wonderful, and the cast are delightful. Highly recommend!
It might be the wine, but I am so into this right now.
Which only means, that it is about time to switch to whiskey 😀
I just watched The Right Stuff with Sam Sheppard for the 10th time last night and was thinking. . . . that’s great that the two of them are still going so strong. . . oops! I tend to believe this story.
American Horror Story is so stupid and unoriginal. The first season was a pastiche of concepts/ideas from every other horror film to date and this time, the ‘asylum’…how cliched can they be?
Where I live, it wasn’t even marketed as an anthology, so when I got up to the second last episode of season one, I thought ‘WTF?’
Disappointing is an understatement.
Cherry Jones was way older than Sarah Paulson was too, so maybe she goes for older women.
What I find amusing is that in this day and age, any two people can be tagged with the “gay/bisexual” label, regardless of the fact that it’s quite possible for two women or two men, who get along well and are in the same or similar professions, to have a lot in common and a lot of fun together…without sex involved at any level.
There are MANY things two people of the same gender can do together without it INVOLVING sex but no one seems to realize this anymore. Every time you see two people hanging out, suddenly they’re gay. Just because one of them is gay doesn’t necessarily follow that they BOTH are into same sex encounters.
Maybe they’re just friends….like in the “old days” when you were allowed to have them without it being a problem.
Why can’t they just be two women who really enjoy each others company? End of story…
+1
I like women for friendships and men for sex. Sue me.
Even if you happen to be gay or bisexual you still CAN be just friends with people of the same or diffrent genders than you, because you simply are not attracted to everyfuckingbody 😉 But of cause, it´s so much juicier when everything is about sex, sex, sex. It still sells and stuff…
Jessica got scary looking. Is that aging or bad plastic surgery. I think its the latter.
First time poster. Well Jessica Lange looks absolute gorgeous. Her marriage to Sam Shepherd was a hard one I believe. Disabled child also. She looks like a million bucks–good for her. Hope she’s very very happy.