Penn Badgley, known for his roles in Gossip Girl and You, revealed he was on the verge of financial hardship before landing the role of Dan Humphrey.
Badgley shared that he became financially independent at 15, supporting his family through acting. However, by his early twenties, he was feeling disillusioned with Hollywood and close to being broke.
He initially turned down the role of Dan Humphrey, but the prospect of financial stability and a move to New York City ultimately changed his mind. Badgley acknowledges that Gossip Girl has significantly shaped his career, a reality he has learned to accept and navigate.
He also admitted struggling to differentiate himself from his character, Dan Humphrey, during the show's run. The actor felt that people's perception of Dan influenced how they viewed him personally.