You Star Penn Badgley Calls Gossip Girl ‘Superficial’; Says He Doesn’t Miss the ‘Celebrity Aspect’

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Initially, Gossip Girl propelled Penn Badgley into fame by portraying the mysterious Dan Humphrey; however, in a recent open conversation, Badgley discloses that his journey wasn’t as glamorous as people might think. He discusses the influence of the series’ glitzy, image-focused environment and explains why he doesn’t pine for the celebrity lifestyle it spawned.

In an interview with The Guardian, Badgley didn’t shy away from criticizing the “celebrity-focused” aspect of his time on the CW teen drama, which aired from 2007 to 2012. He questioned what the show was other than its appearance, stating that it was primarily known for how everyone looked, rather than its content or depth.

As an ardent admirer putting words to his feelings, I can say he admitted to not being overly enamored with the glitzy, fame-centric facet of how he was seen. Badgley pondered upon how his initial journey steered him into a realm where looks defined worth. Emerging from the shadows of despair and solitude, he confessed that he felt both captivated by and ensnared within the industry’s preoccupation with conventional attractiveness.

He pointed out that the work lacks depth, and once you acknowledge this, it becomes clear that our society also lacks depth.

Apart from disclosing his struggle with body dysmorphia during childhood, Badgley also shared that the desire to emulate the traditional actors he admired only intensified the demands of Hollywood’s beauty standards, as it appeared unattainable to him.

The show “Gossip Girl,” inspired by Cecily von Ziegesar’s books, portrayed a bunch of wealthy youngsters managing life in New York City’s Upper East Side. The character played by Badgley, Dan Humphrey, was an outsider who found his way into the exclusive social group. However, unlike the 2021 reboot named Max, neither original star appeared to reenact their roles again.

Despite Gossip Girl still being a significant part of pop culture, Badgley’s insights expose the emotional strain of living under the limelight. As he excels in deeper, more intricate roles such as Joe Goldberg in You, it’s clear that he values substance over superficiality—and has found tranquility beyond the glare of celebrity drama.

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2025-04-18 10:46