Tell Me Lies Star Cat Missal Comes Out as Gay, Reveals Longtime Partner

The 26-year-old actor opened up about her real-life romance with Jess Panneton.

Feb. 20, 2026 at 11:10pm

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In a recent interview, Cat Missal, the actor who plays Bree on the Hulu drama Tell Me Lies, publicly came out as gay and revealed that she has been in a long-term relationship with her partner Jess Panneton. The couple met at a drag show in West Hollywood and have been together since at least 2020, sharing a home in the Valley and caring for two cats together.

Why it matters

Cat Missal's openness about her sexuality and relationship provides visibility for LGBTQ+ representation in Hollywood, particularly in the context of her role on a popular romantic drama series. Her comments also offer insight into how she navigates vulnerability and boundaries in her real-life connections, in contrast to the toxic relationships depicted on the show.

The details

In the interview with Teen Vogue, Missal responded to a question about the main takeaway from Tell Me Lies by saying, "Well, I am gay, so thank God." Her partner Jess Panneton, who was present, added, "You're safe with me." Missal revealed that she and Panneton live together in the Valley and are parents to two cats named Chicken and Bunny. The couple first met at a drag show in West Hollywood, which Missal attended with her sisters. Missal said she "just thought you were so cool" when she first met Panneton, and felt it was "kismet." The couple has been publicly sharing their relationship on social media since at least 2020.

  • Missal and Panneton have been romantically linked since at least 2020, when Panneton shared an Instagram post of them for Valentine's Day.
  • In March 2020, Panneton shared another Instagram post featuring photo strips of the couple, as well as clips from low-key dates and a roller rink outing.

The players

Cat Missal

A 26-year-old actor who plays the role of Bree on the Hulu drama series Tell Me Lies.

Jess Panneton

Cat Missal's long-term partner, with whom she lives in the Valley and shares two cats.

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What they’re saying

“Well, I am gay, so thank God.”

— Cat Missal

“You're safe with me.”

— Jess Panneton, Cat Missal's Partner

“I just thought you were so cool. It just felt kismet because they were like, 'Who are you flirting with? Who's that?' And now we're all family.”

— Cat Missal

The takeaway

Cat Missal's openness about her sexuality and long-term relationship with Jess Panneton provides positive LGBTQ+ representation in Hollywood, while also offering insights into how she navigates vulnerability and boundaries in her personal life, in contrast to the toxic relationships depicted in her on-screen role.