Penn Badgleybecame a household name and instant star following his role onGossip Girl. That sudden level of fame, however, proved to be challenging to navigate on his end.
During an appearance on theBaha’i Blogcast with Rainn Wilsonpodcast Thursday, Badgley — who played Dan Humphrey on the teen drama — said he has since “processed” his time being onGossip Girlbut admitted that fame can still be “overwhelming” in today’s society.
Badgley said that as his star continued to rise, he felt pressure to use his platform for good.
“The most meaningful form of action I saw, as a person who’d been onGossip Girl, as a person who had, at this point, hundreds of thousands of followers — yeah, because I got on social media late,” theYoustar, 34, said. “If I had gotten on in the middle ofGossip Girl,I very well could’ve had millions upon millions — but it would’ve been for a particular reason, you know? So I was thinking, the most meaningful contribution I have to make as an individual is on these platforms.”
The actor said playing up his fame on social media felt like a “very convoluted, complicated, wrapped up in ego and our materialist culture” approach to imparting influence.
“It was not the most fulfilling or meaningful contribution that I could make as an individual seeking to better the world,” he said.
Actor Penn Badgely turned 35 on Monday, Nov. 1.Jenny Anderson/Getty
Speaking of the impact fame can have on mental health, Badgley recalled having “an anxiety attack” two years ago while doing a press tour forYouat a mall in Manila.
“It was packed with thousands of screaming adults,” he recalled, noting that “in all of my years of witnessing some form of adulation, like, the fan experience,” this incident was particularly intense for him.
One thing that has helped Badgley to find “remarkable peace” is coming into the Baha’i faith, which he credits to giving “so much legitimacy to prayer and meditation” in his life.
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Blake Lively,Leighton Meester,Chace Crawford,Ed Westwick,Taylor Momsen,Kelly Rutherford,Matthew SettleandJessica Szohralso starred on the series.
According to executive producer Josh Safran, Badgley didn’t enjoy starring in the beloved series.
The CW
“Penn didn’t like being onGossip Girl,but . . . hewasDan,” Safran toldVanity Fairin 2017. “He may not have liked it, but [his character] was the closest to who he was.”
Badgley, for his part, has also spoken out against fans comparing him to his formerGossip Girlcharacter.
“It’s not that I don’t like my character. It’s just, after a while, you’re known as somebody that you’re just not, and this is somebody who Isoam not,” toldVulturein 2013.
“[Dan is] not real. He’s a tool on a show with soap-operatic arcs and he needs to be a judgmental douche bag sometimes. I get that. I don’t hate anybody for that,” he continued. “But it sucks when people call me ‘Dan’ and think that I’m him.”
source: people.com
