Penn Badgley explains why dating ‘Gossip Girl’ co-star Blake Lively was a ‘struggle’

New York Post - Apr 23rd, 2025

Penn Badgley recently opened up about the challenges he faced while dating Blake Lively during their time on the set of 'Gossip Girl.' Speaking on the 'Call Her Daddy' podcast, Badgley highlighted the difficulty in separating his on-screen romance with Lively's character, Serena van der Woodsen, from their real-life relationship. The constant filming schedule and the show's popularity made it hard for Badgley to distinguish himself from his character, Dan Humphrey. He admitted that his lack of emotional maturity at the time compounded the struggle to maintain a sense of self-worth distinct from his role.

The situation was further complicated by the public's perception, as fans often associated Badgley with his character. Despite the challenges, Badgley and Lively remained professional after their split, continuing to work together amicably until the show's conclusion. The story underscores the broader issue of celebrity and identity, particularly for young actors in long-running television series. Since their 'Gossip Girl' days, both actors have moved on; Lively is married to Ryan Reynolds, and Badgley is married to Domino Kirke, with both having families of their own.

Blake Lively Celebrity Relationships Call Her Daddy Podcast Penn Badgley Gossip Girl Dan Humphrey Serena Van Der Woodsen

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

8.2

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article is a well-structured and accurate representation of Penn Badgley's reflections on his past relationship with Blake Lively. It effectively communicates the challenges of separating personal and professional lives in the context of celebrity culture. The story is timely and engages readers interested in entertainment, though its impact is limited to those circles. While it presents a single perspective, it maintains clarity and readability, making it accessible to a broad audience. The reliance on a primary source, the *Call Her Daddy* podcast, ensures credibility, though additional perspectives could enhance balance. Overall, the article offers a thorough exploration of a specific aspect of celebrity relationships, with room for broader context and additional viewpoints.

Accuracy

The news story is largely accurate and well-supported by the sources. The main claim that Penn Badgley discussed the difficulties of dating Blake Lively while filming *Gossip Girl* is corroborated by his appearance on the *Call Her Daddy* podcast. The timeline of their relationship from 2007 to 2010 is consistent with public records. Additionally, the story accurately reports Lively's marriage to Ryan Reynolds and their family details, as well as Badgley's marriage to Domino Kirke and their family. The story's precision in detailing Badgley's reflections on his personal struggles with celebrity culture and role identity is consistent with the podcast's content. There are no significant inaccuracies or unverified claims.

Balance

The article presents a single perspective, primarily focusing on Penn Badgley's experiences and reflections. While it provides a detailed account of his viewpoint, it lacks Lively's perspective on their relationship or any commentary from other cast members or industry insiders. This creates an imbalance, as readers are only exposed to Badgley's side of the story. Including additional viewpoints could have offered a more nuanced understanding of the dynamics and challenges of on-set relationships.

Clarity

The article is well-written, with a clear and logical structure. It effectively communicates the main points, such as Badgley's struggles with separating his personal and professional life and the impact of celebrity culture. The language is straightforward and accessible, making it easy for readers to follow the narrative. The article maintains a neutral tone, focusing on factual reporting without sensationalism. Overall, the clarity of the article is high, aiding reader comprehension.

Source quality

The primary source for the story is Penn Badgley's interview on the *Call Her Daddy* podcast, a reputable platform known for celebrity interviews. The story also references Us Weekly for context on the actors' post-breakup relationship, a well-known entertainment publication. The sources are credible and authoritative within the entertainment industry. However, the reliance on a single primary source (the podcast) limits the diversity of perspectives and could be supplemented by additional sources for a more comprehensive view.

Transparency

The article is transparent about the basis of its claims, clearly attributing them to Badgley's podcast interview. It provides context for the relationship timeline and subsequent life events of both Badgley and Lively. However, it could improve transparency by including more background on the podcast itself, such as its reputation and typical content, to help readers understand the context in which Badgley's statements were made. The article does not disclose any potential conflicts of interest, but none are apparent.