Best known for his role as Dan Humphrey in the hit series 'Gossip Girl', Penn Badgley offers his honest reflection on the superficiality of Hollywood depicted on the show.
- Apr 18, 2025
AceShowbiz - For many, "Gossip Girl" was more than just a TV show; it was a cultural phenomenon that defined a generation. While fans adored the glamorous lives of Manhattan's elite, Penn Badgley, who portrayed the outsider Dan Humphrey, viewed his breakthrough role through a different, more critical lens.
Reflecting on his time on the CW teen drama series that spanned six seasons from 2007 to 2012, Badgley candidly shared with The Guardian how the experience highlighted the "superficiality of this work" in Hollywood. "What was that show other than aesthetic? That was its thing, the way we all looked," he remarked.
Badgley's comments peel back the curtain on the often-overlooked aspects of celebrity life and the entertainment industry. He articulated a sentiment many young actors might relate to: "the superficial celebrity aspect" and the pressure to meet certain aesthetic expectations.
"There was just a period where, coming out of depression and isolation, I was jumping willfully into, but also being thrust into, this world where the more conventionally beautiful I seemed, the more successful I might be, the more value I might have," he explained.
The actor's honesty extended to his personal battles. Suffering from body dysmorphia as a child, Badgley felt an overwhelming pressure to resemble the iconic actors he admired, deeming such a transformation nearly impossible.
This internal struggle was ironically juxtaposed with his role in "Gossip Girl", a series that chronicled the lives of privileged, aesthetically perfect young individuals in Manhattan.
Based on the books by Cecily von Ziegesar, "Gossip Girl" delved into the intricate lives of private school students from New York's Upper East Side, with their every move being scrutinized by the unseen titular blogger.
As Dan Humphrey, Badgley's character stood out as the Brooklyn outsider trying to navigate this elite world, primarily through his relationship with Serena van der Woodsen, played by Blake Lively. While fans were thrilled with the 2021 revival of the series, neither Badgley nor Lively reprised their iconic roles.
