Cat Missal Says “I Am Gay” While Reflecting on Toxic Tell Me Lies Romances

Cat Missal is sharing a sweet update about her love life.

The 26-year-old actress, best known for playing Bree on Hulu’s hit drama Tell Me Lies, revealed in a new interview with Teen Vogue that she is currently in a relationship with a woman. Missal confirmed that she’s gay and happily in love — a sharp contrast to the toxic romances her character navigates on screen.

“Well, I am gay, so thank God,” Missal joked, referring to the messy relationships with men that play out in the series.

Her partner, Jess Panneton, was by her side during the interview and added with a smile, “You’re safe with me.”

The couple lives together in Los Angeles and share two cats named Chicken and Bunny. While Missal tends to keep her personal life private, she and Panneton shared that they first met at a drag show in West Hollywood.

“I just thought you were so cool,” Missal told her partner during the interview, adding that their meeting felt “kismet.”

Their relationship dates back at least to February 2020. Panneton posted photos of the two around Valentine’s Day that year, showing them gazing into each other’s eyes in a bathroom mirror and leaning in close as if about to kiss. More loved-up photos followed in later posts, including snapshots of the pair roller skating, posing for photo booth strips, and spending time with a puppy.

Missal’s real-life happiness comes as her on-screen journey wraps up. Tell Me Lies, based on the novel by Carola Lovering, follows a group of college students caught in complicated and often toxic relationships.

The series centers on Lucy Albright, played by Grace Van Patten, and her turbulent romance with Stephen DeMarco, portrayed by Jackson White. Missal’s character Bree is part of Lucy’s close friend group at the fictional Baird College, alongside Pippa, played by Sonia Mena. Over three seasons, viewers watched the friends navigate affairs, betrayals and emotional fallout.

Just hours before the season three finale aired, showrunner Meaghan Oppenheimer announced on social media that the episode would also serve as the series finale.

“After three amazing seasons of Tell Me Lies, tonight’s episode will be the series finale,” she wrote. Oppenheimer explained that the creative team always envisioned this ending and ultimately felt the story had reached its natural conclusion.

All three seasons of Tell Me Lies are now streaming on Hulu.

As one chapter closes for Missal professionally, another continues to thrive personally — and by the sounds of it, she couldn’t be happier.