Not Skinny But Not Fat Penn Badgley: Seriously Unserious
Nov 11, 2025
Penn Badgley, the versatile actor known for his roles in Gossip Girl and You, joins the conversation. He discusses his life with four sons, including newborn twins, and the challenges of parenting during COVID. Penn reflects on his childhood as a child actor and the experience that shaped his career choices. He shares insights on his book Crushmore, skepticism about astrology, and why he initially turned down Gossip Girl. With a candid approach, he highlights the importance of social support for parents and the impact of long-running TV shows on actors.
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Authenticity Ages Into Cultural Currency
- Penn says his consistent authenticity in interviews once felt out-of-place but later became valued as cultural tastes shifted.
- He argues criticizing big pop projects can be necessary rather than performative.
Life With Newborn Identical Twins
- Penn describes adjusting to life with newborn identical twins and how hiring a night nurse helps but parents still want to do hands-on care.
- He admits twins magnify the work compared to one and calls the experience “bananas.”
Make Parenting Choices Around Mother's Happiness
- Prioritize whatever makes the mother happiest because that generally benefits the children.
- Penn says a social system that truly supports families would let parents spend more time raising kids.
