Connell's Chain from Normal People Being Auctioned for Charity
Matthew Perez - Connell Waldron's silver chain in Normal People has become a viral phenomenon following the show's debut on Hulu and BBC last month.
- Actor Paul Mescal, who portrays Connell on the series, has donated one of his own chains to benefit the mental health organization Pieta.
- Entries for the raffle are open until June 8.
Normal People has bred three breakout stars this year: Paul Mescal (Connell Waldron), Daisy Edgar-Jones (Marianne Sheridan), and ... Connell's chain. Ever since the new Hulu and BBC series premiered at the end of April, the simple, silver piece of jewelry Mescal's character wears through the show has jolted the Internet's thirst, inspiring online content like 'Is This the Sexiest Thing About Normal People?' in The Cut and @connellschain on Instagram, which solely posts photos of the beloved bling and boasts over 165,000 followers.
And now, a lucky fan could own Mescal's very chain. The actor donated one of his character's necklaces up for auction and the proceeds will benefit the Dublin organization Pieta, which offers free support and counseling for people struggling with suicidal distress or self-harm. The fundraiser was launched in honor of Normal People's final episodes, which shine a light on mental health issues, according to Wonderland.
The raffle is open from May 25 to June 8. Winners will be announced via Pieta's Facebook at 3 p.m. GMT on June 8. Hopeful chain-owners can donate to Pieta for a chance to win the prize, ranging from $10.98 (€10) for 10 entries to $54.88 (€50) for 60 entries. At the time of writing, the initiative has already gathered over €30,000 (almost $33,000) in donations.
"I am delighted to be able to help out Pieta by raffling off my chain that has taken on a following of its own since Normal People hit television screens," Mescal said in a statement to the org. "Pieta is a cause very close to my heart, having experienced loss due to suicide in my local town while growing up. Episode 10 of Normal People also touches upon depression and suicidal ideation, so it seemed like a very special partnership to want to help those in similar situations. I want to play my part in helping sustain these free services across Ireland."
Erica Gonzales is the Senior Culture Editor at ELLE.com, where she oversees coverage on TV, movies, music, books, and more. She was previously an editor at HarpersBAZAAR.com. There is a 75 percent chance she's listening to Lorde right now.
