Paul Mescal is afraid of tomatoes.
The 26-year-old actor revealed that he has a phobia of the fruit and that ketchup is the stuff of nightmares due to traumatic childhood memories.
Paul told the Off Menu podcast: “It’s a fear of tomatoes, like Heinz ketchup.
“I used to go to the nanny after school and she was lovely, but one day she decided to have a snack and she would put a slice of simple cheese, spray it with Heinz ketchup and roll it up and be like, ‘Good job’.
“I said, ‘No thank you, I’d rather not have that.’
“She thought I was being brazen and slapped me. It was so painful … Ketchup, I still can’t do it.”
Paul, meanwhile, was nominated for an Oscar for best actor for his portrayal of troubled Scottish father Callum in the film Aftersun.
The film, directed by Charlotte Wells, stars Frankie Corio as Callum’s daughter Sophie, who recalls the vacation the two spent together.
The “Normal People” actor said: “This is truly a special moment for everyone involved in ‘After the Sun’.
“It is a great honor to be recognized by the Academy and I am very grateful.
“I want to dedicate this nomination to two of my dearest friends, Charlotte and Frankie! Here are the bananas, thank you!”
It was also revealed that Paul’s mother, Dilbra, was battling cancer and was preparing for chemotherapy.
The Irish actor’s sister Nell tweeted hours after announcing his Academy Award nomination: “My mum cut her hair today to get ready for chemo and then Paul got an Oscar nomination, life is crazy .”
