Health
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Badgley Reveals Body Dysmorphia Struggle
## Penn Badgley Opens Up About Body Dysmorphia Struggle and 'You' Series Finale
Penn Badgley, star of the hit Netflix series *You*, has revealed a personal struggle with body dysmorphia, a mental health condition characterized by obsessive focus on perceived flaws in one's appearance, according to the Mayo Clinic's definition. The actor, who will turn 39 this year, shared his experience in an interview with The Guardian, coinciding with the upcoming finale of *You*.
Badgley described his experience with body dysmorphia as beginning in childhood, stemming from a combination of his parents' divorce, social isolation, and idolizing on-screen male figures. He admitted to overeating as a coping mechanism, leading to weight gain and further fueling his self-perception issues. His career as an actor, where physical appearance is heavily scrutinized, exacerbated these struggles. "There was just a period where...I was jumping wilfully into, but also being thrust into, this world where the more conventionally beautiful I seemed, the more successful I might be, the more value I might have," he stated. He added, "There’s no way to get past the superficiality of this work."
This feeling of superficiality extended to his experience on *Gossip Girl*, where he played Dan Humphrey. "What was that show other than aesthetic? That was its thing, the way we all looked," he reflected. He acknowledges the show's impact on his career but admits he "didn't particularly love the superficial celebrity aspect of the way I was perceived."
Badgley's journey through these challenges involved a period where he considered quitting acting. However, he found solace and healing through spirituality and his Baha’í faith. He credits daily prayer and meditation, along with strong family and friend relationships, as crucial to his recovery.
The final season of *You*, premiering April 24th on Netflix, marks the end of Badgley's portrayal of Joe Goldberg, a role he describes as both challenging and deeply reflective. He has used the character's journey to explore themes of masculinity, love, and the dangers of misogyny and violence, which he openly admits to having found problematic. He states that he is finally ready to move on from this intense role after nine years, finding the final scenes emotionally exhausting and physically challenging. The actor is currently working on a book and producing projects outside of acting.
Those struggling with body dysmorphia can find support through the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) helpline at 1-800-950-6264 or GoodTherapy.org. The Crisis Text Line also offers support by texting "STRENGTH" to 741-741.
Penn Badgley, star of the hit Netflix series *You*, has revealed a personal struggle with body dysmorphia, a mental health condition characterized by obsessive focus on perceived flaws in one's appearance, according to the Mayo Clinic's definition. The actor, who will turn 39 this year, shared his experience in an interview with The Guardian, coinciding with the upcoming finale of *You*.
Badgley described his experience with body dysmorphia as beginning in childhood, stemming from a combination of his parents' divorce, social isolation, and idolizing on-screen male figures. He admitted to overeating as a coping mechanism, leading to weight gain and further fueling his self-perception issues. His career as an actor, where physical appearance is heavily scrutinized, exacerbated these struggles. "There was just a period where...I was jumping wilfully into, but also being thrust into, this world where the more conventionally beautiful I seemed, the more successful I might be, the more value I might have," he stated. He added, "There’s no way to get past the superficiality of this work."
This feeling of superficiality extended to his experience on *Gossip Girl*, where he played Dan Humphrey. "What was that show other than aesthetic? That was its thing, the way we all looked," he reflected. He acknowledges the show's impact on his career but admits he "didn't particularly love the superficial celebrity aspect of the way I was perceived."
Badgley's journey through these challenges involved a period where he considered quitting acting. However, he found solace and healing through spirituality and his Baha’í faith. He credits daily prayer and meditation, along with strong family and friend relationships, as crucial to his recovery.
The final season of *You*, premiering April 24th on Netflix, marks the end of Badgley's portrayal of Joe Goldberg, a role he describes as both challenging and deeply reflective. He has used the character's journey to explore themes of masculinity, love, and the dangers of misogyny and violence, which he openly admits to having found problematic. He states that he is finally ready to move on from this intense role after nine years, finding the final scenes emotionally exhausting and physically challenging. The actor is currently working on a book and producing projects outside of acting.
Those struggling with body dysmorphia can find support through the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) helpline at 1-800-950-6264 or GoodTherapy.org. The Crisis Text Line also offers support by texting "STRENGTH" to 741-741.
