Penn Badgley Discusses the Unnatural Side of Fame
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Synopsis
In a candid interview, Penn Badgley explores the complexities of fame, discussing how he has had to confront its downsides while navigating the privileges it offers. He reflects on his experiences in Hollywood, the superficiality of celebrity culture, and his personal journey towards inner transformation.
Key Takeaways
- Penn Badgley shares insights on the unnatural aspects of fame.
- He emphasizes the importance of recognizing both privileges and sacrifices.
- Badgley discusses his struggles with body image and pressure in the acting industry.
- He critiques the superficiality of celebrity culture.
- His journey includes a significant transformation through the Baha'i faith.
Los Angeles, April 17 (NationPress) Hollywood actor Penn Badgley, known for his roles in “Gossip Girl” at the age of 20 and “You”, revealed that he had to truly confront the negative aspects of fame to fully appreciate the extreme privileges it brings.
Emphasizing that he doesn’t want sympathy, he shared with The Guardian: “Fame is extremely unnatural, particularly in the way people wish to connect with you. It’s not a new concept that fame has various nefarious dimensions.
“To value or utilize the privileges that come with fame, one must confront how it can disable parts of your life, your relationships with others, and your connection to society.
“Both the privileges and sacrifices are extreme and obscene, and thus, one must accept them both. To be a decent individual—a good father, husband, friend, or responsible colleague—I’ve been wrestling with how this lifestyle is not ideal for someone to navigate.”
The 39-year-old actor admitted he disliked his body in his youth and wished for a different one, stating that becoming an actor added more pressure, as reported by femalefirst.co.uk.
He remarked: “There was a time when, emerging from depression and isolation, I willingly entered a realm where the more conventionally attractive I appeared, the more successful I could become, and the more value I might possess.
“You cannot escape the superficiality of this profession, and recognizing that leads to an understanding of the superficiality of our culture, which rewards this type of work.”
Regarding 'Gossip Girl', he added: “What was that show if not aesthetic? That was its essence, focused on appearances.
“I didn’t particularly appreciate the superficial celebrity aspect of how I was viewed.”
For a while, Badgley contemplated leaving acting but eventually found an “inner transformation” through the Baha'i faith.
He stated: “That is what enabled me to endure through the disillusionment, all the challenges I faced, and to return to it with hopefully some form of inner change.
