Penn Badgley Struggled to Move On From His ‘Gossip Girl’ Character
Penn Badgley Opens Up About the Challenges of Moving on From His “Gossip Girl” Character
Penn Badgley recently shared his struggles with leaving behind his iconic “Gossip Girl” character, Dan Humphrey, in a candid interview on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast. The actor admitted that it was not easy to “move on” from the role after the CW drama ended in 2012, following six successful seasons.
Reflecting on his time playing Dan Humphrey, Badgley acknowledged the difficulty of transitioning away from a character he had portrayed for such a significant period. He highlighted the differences between filming a movie and a television series, noting that the constant portrayal of a character in a TV show can make it challenging to separate oneself from the role.
Badgley, who was in his early 20s during his time on “Gossip Girl,” also discussed how the intense scrutiny of celebrity culture added to his struggles. He revealed that he often felt pressured to prove himself, especially when it came to questions about his personal life, which were frequently asked during the show’s peak.
“Gossip Girl,” which aired from 2007 to 2012, followed the lives of privileged New York teenagers whose secrets and scandals were exposed by an anonymous blogger known as Gossip Girl. The show, starring Badgley alongside Blake Lively, Leighton Meester, Ed Westwick, Chace Crawford, and others, became a cultural phenomenon during its run.
In the series finale, titled “New York, I Love You XOXO,” it was revealed that Dan Humphrey was the elusive Gossip Girl all along. His character’s motivations for starting the blog were rooted in his outsider status among the elite Upper East Side crowd.
As Badgley continues to navigate his career post-“Gossip Girl,” he remains grateful for the opportunities the show provided while acknowledging the challenges of separating himself from his on-screen persona. His candid reflections shed light on the complexities of fame and the lasting impact of portraying a beloved character on a popular television series.
