Holland Taylor has opened up about her relationship with Sarah Paulson.
In a new interview with Page Six, the 80-year-old talked about the secret to sustaining her eight-year relationship with Paulson.
"I think we each follow our own path so we’re not exactly the same," the Two and a Half Men alum, told the outlet at the 2023 Second Stage Theater Fall Gala, which honored the 48-year-old American Horror Story star last week (November 6).
The actress also stated that it's all about "balance" when it comes to the couple.
"We do some things separately so everyone gets to be true to what they believe," she continued. "She’s much more social, and I like a little bit of alone time, so I have that. She spends some time with friends and not with me, so it’s a good balance."
Despite their 32-year age gap and their busy schedules, it seems as though the pair have learned to prioritize each other as well as keep their relationship as private as possible while still enjoying themselves as much as possible.
However, that doesn't mean it hasn't come without its obstacles.
Being in the public eye means that the couple have been forced to defend their relationship, especially over their massive age gap.
"If anyone wants to spend any time thinking I’m strange for loving the most spectacular person on the planet, then that’s their problem," Paulson told Modern Luxury’s June issue via PEOPLE. "I’m doing just fine."
The Ratched star also noted that earlier on in their courtship, she was repeatedly told that her romance with Taylor would have an impact on her career, which made her skeptical about being so public with it.
"Early on, when people found out I was with [Taylor], some said: 'I think you have to be careful, I’m afraid it’s going to affect your career negatively,'" Paulson told The Edit back in 2017. "I was like, what? It never occurred to me at all."
And even when she was made aware of the possible loss of opportunities, she didn't care. Instead, she stayed loud and proud about her love.
"It occurred to me, 'Should I not?' And then I thought, 'Why would I not?'" Paulson continued. "The fact I’m having this thought is wrong. But I had a moment of societal concern; wondering if, maybe, people who didn’t know that about me would be like, 'Wait, what?' But then, you know, I did it anyway."
"My life choices are, um, unconventional. I’m with a much older person and people find that totally fascinating and odd, and, to me, it’s the least interesting thing about me," she added before going on to say: "But I do feel a bit unconventional. I am a woman of a certain age who chose not to have children, and who has made my career my priority. I am the captain of my own ship, and I’ve never looked to anyone else to validate that, or tell me it’s okay."
Since then, the pair have gone from strength to strength, appearing on numerous red carpets together while also giving us some nuggets of inspiration of what a healthy and private relationship looks like.
Taking to Instagram back in 2021, Paulson posted a black-and-white photograph in honor of Taylor’s birthday.
"All roads lead me to this face, those eyes, that soul," she captioned the candid shot. "You are, quite simply- everything to me. Here’s looking at you, kid. Today. Tomorrow. Always."
The star also added: "(If you don’t like this picture, you are an idiot, so don’t get mad when you see it. I even made it black and white since you prefer it. So shhhhhh. It’s a perfect picture of a perfect person) HAPPY BIRTHDAY DARLING."
We have no choice but to stan!
