You probably know her as the woman by his side at every major awards show, or maybe you’ve seen those incredibly mushy Instagram posts Aaron Paul writes that make every other husband look bad. But honestly, Lauren Parsekian (now officially Lauren Paul) is a lot more than just a famous actor's wife.
Most people first started asking "who is Aaron Paul's wife" back when Breaking Bad was at its peak. Since then, the couple has become one of Hollywood's rare success stories. While Aaron was busy winning Emmys for playing Jesse Pinkman, Lauren was building an entire movement.
Who is Aaron Paul’s Wife?
Lauren Parsekian is an activist, director, and the co-founder of the Kind Campaign. She was born on December 8, 1986, in Orange County, California. If you think she looks like she could be in front of the camera, you’re not wrong—her mother is Debra Kelly, an actress known for her roles in the '70s and '80s.
But Lauren’s path wasn't about Hollywood fame. It was born out of a pretty dark time in her childhood.
During middle school, Lauren was severely bullied. We aren't just talking about name-calling. It was a group of girls who made her life a living nightmare, leading to depression and an eating disorder. Instead of just moving on, she decided to turn that trauma into a career. While studying film at Pepperdine University, she teamed up with her friend Molly Thompson to create Finding Kind, a documentary that explores the "mean girl" phenomenon.
That film eventually grew into the Kind Campaign, a non-profit that travels to schools across the globe to talk about girl-against-girl bullying. It’s basically her life’s work.
The Coachella "Magic" and That Carnival Wedding
The way they met sounds like a script from a cheesy indie movie. They met at Coachella.
Aaron has been very vocal about their first meeting, often saying they fell in love over a ferris wheel ride. Their first kiss? Also at Coachella. He even told GQ once that they almost got married in Vegas on their very first date. They didn't, which was probably a good call, but they did end up together for the long haul.
They got engaged in Paris on New Year’s Eve in 2011.
The wedding itself was legendary. They tied the knot in May 2013 at Calamigos Ranch in Malibu. The theme was a 1920s Parisian Carnival. There were stilt walkers, a ferris wheel, and even a performance by John Mayer. Aaron actually emailed the entire guest list a song beforehand and asked them to learn the lyrics so they could sing along during the ceremony. Imagine being invited to a wedding and getting homework! But for them, it worked.
Why They Both Changed Their Names
In late 2022, the couple made a big legal move that confused some fans.
For years, Aaron’s legal last name was actually Sturtevant. Paul was just his stage name. Lauren’s legal name was still Parsekian. However, they filed a petition to officially change their last names to Paul.
They did this mostly for their kids. They wanted the whole family to have the same surname that the world already knew them by. Along with the surname change, they also officially changed their son’s name. He was originally Casper Emerson Paul on his birth certificate, but they had a change of heart and legally renamed him Ryden Caspian Paul.
Their daughter, Story Annabelle, kept her name, but now the whole "Paul" squad is legally official.
Life in 2026: The Big Move to France
If you haven't seen them around Los Angeles lately, there’s a reason for that. Following the devastating L.A. wildfires in early 2025, Aaron and Lauren decided they were done with Southern California life for a while.
They sold their Los Angeles home and moved the family to Paris.
It’s a bit of a full-circle moment since they got engaged there. Aaron mentioned in a recent interview that they’ve always wanted to do a "year abroad" to give Story (now 8) and Ryden (now 3) a chance to experience a different culture. They still keep their cabin in McCall, Idaho, for when they need to get back to their roots, but for now, they are living the Parisian dream.
What to Know About Lauren's Work Today
Lauren is still very much the face of the Kind Campaign. Even while living in Europe, she remains active in the organization's leadership. The campaign has evolved quite a bit since 2009.
- School Assemblies: They still run programs in hundreds of schools annually.
- The Kind Club: A curriculum designed for schools to implement year-round.
- Public Speaking: Lauren continues to be a sought-after speaker on mental health and female empowerment.
She has used her platform—and yes, the attention that comes with being married to a superstar—to keep the focus on her mission. It’s actually one of the things Aaron says he admires most about her. He often uses his own social media to fundraise for her cause.
Next Steps for Fans and Supporters:
If you want to support the work Lauren is doing, the best thing you can do is visit the Kind Campaign website to see how their curriculum can be brought to a school in your area. If you're just here for the celebrity updates, keep an eye on Aaron’s Instagram; he is notorious for posting long, poetic tributes to Lauren every year for her birthday and their anniversary, which usually give the best glimpses into their life in France.