Holland Taylor on 12 years with Sarah Paulson: 'She's a fascinating person'
Synopsis
Holland Taylor rarely speaks at length about her relationship with Sarah Paulson — but on The Drew Barrymore Show, she did just that, revealing that her first impression of Paulson as a 'dazzling Hollywood dazzler' turned out to be completely wrong, and that the woman she has spent 12 years with is serious, deeply invested in friendships, and far more surprising than the surface suggests.
Key Takeaways
Holland Taylor confirmed she and Sarah Paulson have been together for 12 years .
Taylor said her first impression of Paulson as a typical Hollywood star was 'very different' from who she turned out to be.
The couple does not share a permanent single home, living across two residences in separate cities due to work schedules.
Taylor described Paulson as 'the most artful friend of anyone I've ever known,' highlighting her deep investment in personal relationships.
The remarks were made during an appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show .
Actress Holland Taylor has spoken candidly about her 12-year relationship with actress Sarah Paulson, calling her partner 'a fascinating person in many unexpected ways' and offering a rare, warm window into how the couple navigates life together amid demanding work schedules.
First Impressions and the Real Sarah Paulson
Appearing on The Drew Barrymore Show, Taylor revealed that her early impression of Paulson was far removed from who she turned out to be. 'She seemed like the most youthful Hollywood dazzling dazzler that you could possibly imagine,' Taylor said, adding that the reality was 'very different from what she in fact really is — which I found out like 10 years later.'
The candid exchange was prompted by Paulson herself, who asked Taylor — with admitted nerves — to share her honest first impression. The moment drew laughter and warmth from host Drew Barrymore and the audience alike.
How the Couple Makes It Work
Taylor addressed the widely asked question of whether the two live together, clarifying that geography and work keep them apart more than either would like. 'We do as much time as we possibly can because work takes us apart constantly,' she explained.
She described a living arrangement that spans both coasts: Taylor has an apartment where Paulson stays when in the same city, and in Los Angeles, Taylor maintains a separate house from Paulson's — though Paulson has been staying with Taylor there as well, reportedly for nearly a year while her new home remains unmoved-into. 'So we're together as much as geography and our jobs let us be,' Taylor summed up.
Taylor on Paulson as a Friend and Partner
Beyond the romantic, Taylor was effusive about Paulson's quality as a friend — describing her as 'the most artful friend of anyone I've ever known.' She noted that Paulson invests deeply in her relationships, giving time, attention, and presence to those she cares about.
'The time that she spends on people that she really loves — doing things for them, being with them, being really with them, showing up for all kinds of... I mean she's an amazing friend,' Taylor said. She added that Paulson's circle includes 'quite a number of seriously important devoted friends' who reciprocate that investment.
Twelve Years and Counting
When Barrymore asked how long the couple had been together, Taylor confirmed it has been 12 years. The pair — who first went public with their relationship around 2015 — have consistently kept much of their personal life private, making the appearance on Barrymore's show one of the more detailed public reflections either has offered. The conversation underscores a relationship built not just on romance but on deep mutual regard and a shared seriousness about the people they love.
Point of View
Offering a portrait of a long-term relationship held together by logistics, mutual respect, and genuine admiration rather than Hollywood romance mythology. What stands out is Taylor's framing of Paulson not primarily as a partner but as an exceptional friend — a distinction that says something real about what sustains a relationship over 12 years in an industry that rarely allows for either.
NationPress
21 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How long have Holland Taylor and Sarah Paulson been together?
Holland Taylor confirmed on The Drew Barrymore Show that she and Sarah Paulson have been together for 12 years. The couple first went public with their relationship around 2015.
Do Holland Taylor and Sarah Paulson live together?
Not in a single shared home. Taylor explained that work keeps them apart, but they spend as much time together as geography and their schedules allow, sharing residences in multiple cities on both coasts.
What did Holland Taylor say about Sarah Paulson on The Drew Barrymore Show?
Taylor called Paulson 'a fascinating person in many unexpected ways,' noting that her initial impression of Paulson as a glamorous Hollywood figure was far from the reality she discovered over time. She also praised Paulson as 'the most artful friend of anyone I've ever known.'
What did Holland Taylor say about Sarah Paulson's friendships?
Taylor said Paulson invests deeply in her personal relationships, giving time, attention, and presence to a close circle of devoted friends. She described Paulson as 'an amazing friend' who consistently shows up for the people she loves.
Where did Holland Taylor speak about her relationship with Sarah Paulson?
Taylor made the remarks during an appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show, in a candid exchange that also involved Paulson asking Taylor directly about her first impression of her.
