Blake Lively to Zoe Kravitz; Penn Badgley’s dating history explored as he reveals he “struggled” in Gossip Girl co-star relationship

Penn Badgley, who is currently gearing up for the release of the fifth and final season of the Nextflix thriller You on Monday, April 28, opened up about his struggles while dating early in his career, during his appearance on the Call Me Daddy podcast.

Before his role as Joe on You, Penn Badgley has acted in many famous movies and TV shows, including John Tucker Must Die, Easy A, and famously in Gossip Girl as Dan Humhrey. During his decade long career, Badgley has been in several high profile relationships. Here's a look at his dating history, as Penn Badgley discusses his love life ahead of his return as Joe Goldberg in the hit Netflix show, You.

More about Penn Badgley's relationship history as actor opens about past relationship struggles

During his appearance on the Call me Daddy podcast, hosted by Alex Cooper, on April 23, to promote the final season of "You," Penn Badgley opened up about his difficulties dealing with fame, his unconventional approaches to fatherhood, and his dating life.

During his conversation with Cooper, the "Do Over" actor revealed how his early relationships in life affected his personal life outside the relationship.

“I also had a very long and difficult relationship in my teen years. That marked me, and I actually remember thinking when I got out of it at 19, I was just like, ‘That was a way to start it all. I wonder what effects it's gonna have on me,’ you know?”

Penn Badgley was first rumored to be dating Blake Lively, who was his costar on the hit CW drama Gossip Girl, in 2007. They both continued to deny the rumors, but confirmed their relationship next year when they appeared together at the Met Gala. The former couple were in a relationship for three years, before the pair broke up in 2010. Interestingly, even their on screen characters for "Gossip Girl," Serena Van der Woodsen and Dan Humphrey were also in an on-and-off relationship for a short while.

During this point in the interview, Penn Badgley was asked about the reason for his struggles early on his career. He answered by saying, it was a combination of several factors, from his dating life to inability to deal with his Gossip Girl fame. He also revealed how difficult it was for him to seperate himself from the onscreen characters he played, as he lacked the emotional maturity to do so.

He said:

“I mean, that's a great question because it was the struggle. When you do a television show, you're doing it constantly. What starts to happen when you're in this one role for a long time — the aspect of celebrity being a part of it, a huge part of it — there is not enough separation, I think, for anybody. You're seen as this person, you're called their name out on the street. You also constantly have to be that person at work.”

After his split from Blake Lively, Penn Badgley was rumored to be dating Zoë Kravitz, from 2011 untill their breakup in 2013, after two years of dating. Not much is known about their relationship, as the couple kept their relationship private. In a 2013 interview with Yahoo Entertainment, Penn Badgley talked about how being in love with Zoe Kravitz helped him prepare for his role as musician Jeff Buckley in the movie, "Greetings from Tim Buckley." He said:

"At that time I was falling madly in love in a way that was changing me and opening me up. And it was an integral part of playing Jeff."

During this conversation with Alex Cooper, Penn Badgley further added:

I've had a handful of long relationships. And that's about the extent of it. You know, [I] really did not date,” he shared. “Dating is a bit of a performance, I think… I really longed for that kind of connection, that kind of intimacy.”

After this, Penn Badgley was linked with musician Domino Kirke in 2014. According to People Magazine, the couple kept their relationship away from the spotlight, and in 2017 after three years of dating they married in a private ceremony attended by closest friends and family. In 2019, the Easy A actor posted a sweet tribute on his Instagram for Kirke's birthday. He said:

"Happy birthday, Dom. A super-brief review of your invisible qualities: A truly radiant soul, you seem to spark alight almost everyone you meet, like a 99% success rate. It's really impressive, and quite mysterious. You encourage others to be honest, and brave, and gentle, and expansive. Your great capacity for empathy is obvious, something anyone can get warm by like a glowing stove. Your desire to be of service to others is miraculous. It is in your DNA."

In 2020, the couple welcomed their first child, and the couple are also expecting twins later this year. The announcement was made by Domino Kirke, who also has another son Cassius, from her previous relationship, with singer Morgan O' Kane. She shared the news on Instagram, writing:

Trending

"Babies #3 and #4 coming this Summer! Talk about a PLOT TWIST! Spontaneous twins are beyond magical. We are stunned. We are in awe. Can’t think of anyone else I’d rather be on this ride with @pennbadgley 👶♥️👶🎢#handsoffthewheel #monoditwins,"

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