“Baywatch ”Star Alexandra Paul on Being Jaason Simmons' 'Beard' in the ‘90s: 'You Weren’t as Safe’ (Exclusive)
In 2008, Simmons came out as gay and went public with his engagement to his then fiancé
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Jaason Simmons and Alexandra PaulBack in the 1990s, Alexandra Paul was looking out for her friend and costar Jaason Simmons.
In an exclusive conversation with PEOPLE at the After Baywatch: Moment in the Sun premiere on Aug. 26, Paul looked back on her time on Baywatch and 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 hit Baywatch, 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.
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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""We just let them think what they thought," she shrugs.
Simmons also spoke with PEOPLE at the premiere and says the relationship buzz "was sort of a byproduct of us being friends."
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."
Baywatch Co/Kobal/Shutterstock
Alexandra Paul, Jaason Simmons, Jeremy Jackson, David Charvet, Yasmine Bleeth, David Hasselhoff, Pamela Anderson, Gregory Alan WilliamsRelated: 'Baywatch' Cast: Where Are They Now?
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Jaason Simmons and Alexandra PaulIn 2008, Simmons came out as gay and went public with his relationship with his then fiancé John O'Callaghan. While speaking to TooFab in 2014, he revealed that his Baywatch cast members had been privy to his sexuality and had always been "fantastic."
"Everybody knew, I just didn't speak about my private life, I'm pretty shy and introverted," he explained at the time. "So to go in a show when you're like that, it takes a lot of adjusting. I was like, baby steps. I was in a relationship for the whole time and they were all aware and it was fantastic and no issue."
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After Baywatch: Moment in the Sun premieres Wednesday, Aug. 28 on Hulu.
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