BaywatchStar Alexandra Paul on Being Jaason Simmons' 'Beard' in the ‘90s: 'You Weren’t as Safe’ (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Jaason Simmons and Alexandra Paul.Photo:Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Back in the 1990s,Alexandra Paulwas looking out for her friend and costarJaason Simmons.

In an exclusive conversation with PEOPLE at theAfter Baywatch: Moment in the Sunpremiere on Aug. 26, Paul looked back on her time onBaywatchand how she and Simmons let tabloids run stories about their relationship so he wouldn’t have to explain his sexuality.

“Back in the 1990s, 30 years ago, if you were a gay actor in Hollywood, not only would that affect your career negatively, but it could also affect you just out and about in the streets,” she explains, adding, “You weren’t as safe.”

In the ’90s hitBaywatch, Simmons played the role of Logan, “a heterosexual guy who wanted to be [with] every woman on the show,” says Paul describing her costar’s character. Behind closed doors, Simmons identified as gay.

“That just shows what a good actor he is because yes, he was gay,” Paul says. “He and I were very, very close on the show and I became his beard, so to speak.”

She reveals that she and Simmons were “so affectionate with each other,” that rumors of their relationship ran wild every time they were photographed together at various events.

Jaason Simmons, Brandy Ledford, Alexandra Paul, Erika Eleniak and Nancy Valen at the premiere of ABC News Studios docuseries “After Baywatch: Moment in the Sun”.Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty

Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty

“We just let them think what they thought,” she shrugs.

He adds, “It was like people saw us together and then that started on its own. So, we just went along, because I was only 22, 23 at the time.”

Paul, who married Ian Murray in 2000, says that her husband was nothing less than “supportive” of her acting career and the gesture of friendship she gave to Simmons.

“When there were stories about me and Jaason being together, he understood why we were doing that,” she shares. “And if I have a love scene in a movie or a kissing scene, it doesn’t perturb him. He knows I’m always coming home for him and I’m always hot for him.”

Alexandra Paul, Jaason Simmons, Jeremy Jackson, David Charvet, Yasmine Bleeth, David Hasselhoff, Pamela Anderson, Gregory Alan Williams.Baywatch Co/Kobal/Shutterstock

Baywatch Co/Kobal/Shutterstock

Jaason Simmons and Alexandra Paul.Chris Farina/Corbis via Getty

Chris Farina/Corbis via Getty

In 2008, Simmons came out as gay and went public with his relationship with his then fiancé John O’Callaghan. While speaking toTooFabin 2014, he revealed that hisBaywatchcast members had been privy to his sexuality and had always been “fantastic.”

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After Baywatch: Moment in the Sunpremieres Wednesday, Aug. 28 on Hulu.

source: people.com