Celebrities are just like everyone else. They can be weird or awkward at times. And when they’re meeting other celebrities, things don’t always go as smoothly as expected. Did you know, for example, that when Salma Hayek first met Eminem, she spilled water on the world-famous rapper?
Well, Sarah Paulson and Matthew Perry didn’t have the best first encounter when they met at a party a couple of years ago. But despite their awkward first meeting, they worked together, playing romantic interests on a TV show. Did their unpleasant first encounter affect their professional relationship?
Sarah Paulson And Matthew Perry’s First Encounter Didn’t Go Well
A year ago, Sarah Paulson appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! to promote her latest Netflix show, Ratched. Among the many topics discussed in this interview, the American Horror Story actress shared the story of when she was once snubbed by Matthew Perry at a party.
Paulson recalled that early in her career, she was invited to a party by the late Carrie Fisher. “She asked me if I wanted to go to Gore Vidal’s makeout party,” Paulson told Jimmy Kimmel, “All these people were there and I was, obviously, panicked.” Among the attendees at the party were stars such as Queen Latifah, Matthew Perry, and Shirley Maclaine.
Although she “didn’t see anyone make out,” Paulson recalls that everyone at the party was playing a game where they'd pick a name out of a hat and they'd have to kiss whoever they picked. Well, Paulson’s name was pulled by Friends alum, Matthew Perry, who didn’t seem too thrilled about the kiss.
Instead of kissing her, Perry left the room immediately. As Paulson recalls, “He was like, ‘Oh, well…’ And he was like, ‘I got you.’ And I was like, ‘Well, let’s kiss!’ And he was like, ‘No.'"
Despite Their Awkward First Meeting, Sarah Paulson And Matthew Perry Played Romantic Interests In This TV Series
Though she feigned taking offense to Perry’s rejection while recounting the story on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, in reality, Paulson wasn’t bothered by his actions at the moment, mainly because they somewhat knew each other.
“We knew each other a little bit through one of my very best friends in the world,” Paulson admitted. “It was awkward … but then we ended up playing romantic partners years later on a show called Studio 60.”
Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip was a television series created and primarily written by Aaron Sorkin. The show’s main plot followed personnel involved in the production of a late-night comedy series similar to Saturday Night Live. The show starred Matthew Perry as Matt Albie, a former writer for Studio 60 who takes over production as an executive producer.
Sarah Paulson was another primary member of the cast. She portrayed Harriet Hayes, one of Studio 60’s "Big Three" stars. Because her character was Matt Albie's ex-girlfriend, Paulson and Perry had to play romantic interests on screen. “I got my kiss,” Paulson told Jimmy Kimmel. “I got several kisses, and boy, did he regret not taking me up on it back at Gore Vidal’s makeout party.”
Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip ran on NBC for 22 episodes from 2006 to 2007. Unfortunately, on May 2007, This broadcasting company ended up canceling the series after only one season.
Although They Played Romantic Interest On-Screen, Paulson And Perry Never Dated In Real Life
Despite playing romantic interest on Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, Sarah Paulson and Matthew Perry never dated in real life. But it seems that after playing romantic interests on screen, both actors became good friends. The Friends star has dated plenty of well-known celebrities, including Julia Roberts, Cameron Diaz, and Gwyneth Paltrow.
Meanwhile, Paulson has been in a happy and steady relationship with Holland Taylor for over seven years now. Paulson and Taylor met at a dinner party many years ago, but they didn’t start dating until 2015.
