Penn Badgley Reflects on ‘Gossip Girl’ Fame and Its Impact on Love…

Penn Badgley opened up in a podcast about his time on ‘Gossip Girl’ and how it affected his relationship with Blake Lively, revealing struggles with fame and identity. He discussed the challenge of separating on-screen life from reality and reflected on relationships and intimacy he’s dealt with since those days. He wonders how past experiences continue to shape him as he approaches turning 40.

In a candid chat on Alex Cooper’s podcast, “Call Her Daddy,” Penn Badgley bared his soul about fame and relationships during his ‘Gossip Girl’ days—a time when mixed-up identities and young love ruled the headlines. The show aired from 2007 to 2012, grabbing attention and, of course, spotlighting Badgley’s relationship with co-star Blake Lively. They dated from 2007 to 2010, just as their on-screen chemistry between Dan Humphrey and Serena van der Woodsen exploded across TV sets.

Badgley revealed that juggling his character and personal life was, let’s say, more challenging than trying to sip a latte while riding a unicycle. He struggled to draw the line between his role and reality, especially considering how young he was at the time. “When you do a television show, you’re doing it constantly [trying to separate your on-screen and offscreen lives],” Badgley said, proving that acting isn’t just about looking pretty on TV. It’s a mental workout.

The actor further reflected, “There is not enough separation, I think, for anybody.” Imagine still being called for your character’s name in your 30s—talk about a case of mistaken identity! He recognised that being thrown into the limelight at such a young age left him lacking the emotional maturity to easily detach his self-worth from his character. Badgley was just 20 when this fame train started rolling, a fact he didn’t quite grasp at the time.

Now with the ‘Gossip Girl’ legacy still lurking about like an old schoolmate you can’t shake, he posted some wisdom on how the show continues to shadow him. “Next year I’ll be 40. I will still be answering questions about this show I decided to do when I was 20,” he lamented. “Thanks for the reminder!” Plus, Badgley provided some fascinating insights into earlier relationships, saying he’s had “a handful of long relationships” but didn’t really dabble in dating like he could’ve.

This led him to view dating as a sort of—surprise!—”performance.” It’s not all glitz and glamour, apparently. Sharing that he yearned for genuine connection, he got nostalgic about his past, especially one lengthy and tumultuous relationship he experienced at age 19. “I remember thinking when I got out of it…‘That was a way to start it all. I wonder what effects it’s gonna have on me,’” he recalled, leaving one to wonder if all past relationships are really just preparation for the next.

You can catch the totality of Badgley’s revelations—and maybe a few more—by tuning into the full podcast episode. Just be prepared for some inside scoop that turns the ‘Gossip Girl’ world upside down.

In this revealing podcast segment, Penn Badgley opened up about the difficulties of separating his on-screen persona from real life during the ‘Gossip Girl’ days, shedding light on how young fame can be a rocky road. His relationship with Blake Lively certainly added a layer of complexity, and now as he faces impending 40s, the shadow of the show still looms. Plus, he shared thoughts on intimacy and how earlier relationships have shaped his perspectives, proving there’s more to him than just being Dan Humphrey.

Original Source: www.elle.com