Penn Badgley is opening up about the challenges of dating Blake Lively while starring on Gossip Girl.
The actor—who shares son James and is expecting twins with wife Domino Kirke—recently reflected on his high-profile relationship with Lively during the show's early seasons. Speaking on Call Her Daddy, Penn admitted the romance was “the struggle,” given how intertwined it became with their on-screen roles.
“You're seen as this person,” he said, referring to his character Dan Humphrey. “There is not enough separation… I didn't have the emotional maturity to differentiate myself.”
Despite the pressures, Penn emphasized their relationship remained respectful—even after they broke up in 2010. “We were always very professional,” he shared on his Podcrushed podcast. “It wasn’t even a thing.”
Though the show ran until 2012, Penn and Blake kept things drama-free behind the scenes—proving some Upper East Siders really can keep it classy.