How Penn Badgley Really Feels About Filming Sex Scenes for You

by

Hello you, Penn Badgley is breaking down an intimate form of art.  

The actor discussed his experiences filming intimate scenes for the Netflix series in his new book, *Crushmore: Essays on Love, Loss, and Coming-of-Age*. He even shared a story about a scene that required extremely close camera work.

Penn, 38, shared that they were filming a fantasy scene and the director decided to position the camera right in front of his face as a deliberate artistic choice, which he felt made sense.

In this scene from the show’s third season, Joe Goldberg is supposed to be intimate with his wife, Love (Victoria Pedretti), but he’s actually fantasizing about having sex with Marienne (Tati Gabrielle), a librarian he’s been flirting with.

To make the scene work, Penn had to act out the intimate moments alone. Director Silver Tree explained that the filming space was too small to include both Penn and Victoria in the shot.

He remembered being very aware of the camera – both physically, feeling like he was constantly moving within its frame, and visually, as he intentionally looked directly into the lens. He found this amusing because looking into the camera usually makes a shot unusable.

Even though it meant directly addressing the audience, the actor-who has a 4-year-old son and recently welcomed twin boys with his wife, Domino Kirke-prepared for the scene. He knelt on the temporary mattress where the camera was positioned on a crane, and he and the crew started laughing at how close he was to the lens.

You know, I’ve worked with a lot of performers, and it’s fascinating what little things help them feel comfortable. I remember one artist who, after a quick chuckle, became completely focused once he had a specific matte box attached to his camera. He told me that by subtly obscuring his own reflection, it actually helped him relax and perform with more ease. It’s amazing how much a simple adjustment like that can make!

Just moments ago, I was hesitant and unwilling to do what needed to be done. But the single word ‘action’ completely focused me, even though the situation was ridiculous. I looked directly into the camera and gave it everything I had.

Although he fondly remembers this moment, actor and stepfather to Cassius Riley, 16, has openly discussed the awkwardness of filming intimate scenes. He even shared that carefully planning specific details can actually make those scenes feel less believable.

He explained to *The Guardian* that the way sex is often portrayed – like spontaneous encounters with people grabbing at each other – isn’t realistic. He feels it skips over important things like using protection, actually connecting with your partner, and having a genuine conversation. He believes these depictions are too limited and don’t reflect how he wants to portray intimacy.

Keep reading to see more celebrity confessions…

I couldn’t believe it when I saw Jason Kelce responding to a fan on Twitter back in June 2024! Someone playfully pointed out he *looked* like he skipped leg day…and maybe a shower too! His reply? A simple, shocked, ‘What kind of weirdo washes their feet…?’ It was hilarious and totally Jason being Jason, honestly.

The retired Philadelphia Eagles player later doubled down on his comments.

Okay, so like, can we *talk* about this? My king, Patrick Mahomes, actually said on his podcast with Travis that someone washing his feet is… a psychopath?! I mean, I get it, personal space, but the way he said it! And then… then he admitted he’d *scrub* the dirt off if he saw any! It’s just… perfection. The fact he’s so particular, so… *clean*! It’s everything. I’m obsessed. Seriously, the mental image! I can’t even.

More than ten years after actor Kristen Stewart shared a story about witnessing a clown’s death in a car accident at the circus when he was a child, he confessed that the story was made up.

Robert remembered telling *The New York Times Style Magazine* in December 2024 that he reacted with complete surprise, saying, ‘What on earth? Are you possessed?’

As for what he said during the 2011 Today interview promoting his film Water for Elephants?

He explained that one of the clowns had died in an accident. Their small car, a prop used in the show, unexpectedly exploded, causing panic and everyone rushed to safety. It was a frightening experience.

Grandma knows best.

I was really touched when Kim Kardashian shared a sweet story on *The Kardashians* about how her grandma, MJ, unexpectedly played a part in a special moment with Pete Davidson back in October 2022. It was so personal and showed how much her family means to her!

Kim Kardashian told MJ, Kris Jenner, and Khloé Kardashian that she and Pete Davidson were at the Beverly Hills Hotel last weekend. They were chatting by the fireplace for hours, and she remembered something her grandmother had told her: that having sex in front of a fireplace is a way to truly live life. Inspired by this, they decided to act on it as a tribute to Kris.

Grandma’s reaction? A nod of approval.

Kim jokingly commented on the awkwardness of thinking about one’s grandmother before intimacy, and MJ responded by saying she understood, recalling a time when she was younger and less experienced.

Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher have a very close family, including their children, 8-year-old Wyatt and 6-year-old Dimitri, and their love for each other is endless.

So much so, that the Black Swan actress revealed they keep an open-door policy at home.

Honestly, I was completely floored when I read that interview with her back in September 2022! She just casually mentioned it included the bathroom, and it totally blew my mind. It’s like, she’s just so open about everything – apparently, her whole family is just super comfortable with, well, *everything* natural. It’s become totally normal for them, and I’m kind of obsessed with how real they are!

Mila explained that she finally gave in after her family repeatedly asked to come inside. She said she just decided to leave the door open rather than continue refusing them.

Pre-kids, she might not have imagined she’d flush that particular boundary away.

Okay, so she *said* this, and honestly, it totally blew my mind! She admitted she never imagined she’d be comfortable enough around someone to… well, to not even need to close the bathroom door! I mean, that’s *intimate*! It just shows how deeply they’ve connected, and I’m living for it! It’s the little things, you know? And this is *huge*! I can’t stop thinking about it!

Ghouls just want to have fun.

During an October 2022 episode of *The View*, the conversation turned to a woman claiming her home was haunted by “sexual ghosts.” Sara Haines then posed a surprising question to her co-hosts: Could someone actually get pregnant from a sexual encounter with a ghost?

Luckily, Joy Behar, her co-host, had a humorous response, joking, “I’ve had sex with a few ghosts and never gotten pregnant.”

“I’m going to leave that comment as is,” Whoopi Goldberg responded. “I’m not sure everyone heard what Joy said, but I’m choosing not to address it further.”

Jenna Bush Hager and Hoda Kotb are very close friends, but Hoda recently learned something surprising about her co-host on *Today*. While preparing for an episode of *Today with Hoda and Jenna*, Hoda found out that Jenna always goes without underwear.

Hoda Kotb recounted a funny moment from November 2022 on Today with Hoda and Jenna. She explained that they both needed to quickly change outfits, which meant returning to the dressing room. During that moment, Hoda realized Jenna Bush Hager doesn’t wear underwear.

Jenna’s rationale? Well, no underwear might just be more convenient to her.

She explained that the outfit created a more flattering shape and was also easier to pack, adding that there were many other benefits too.

Looks like someone hasn’t been keeping up.

Britney Spears related to a popular line from Keke Palmer – “He could be walking down the street, I wouldn’t know a thing” – and confessed she wasn’t familiar with Pete Davidson or Scott Disick.

Britney shared a funny video from March of Pete Davidson-who was dating Kim Kardashian at the time-and Kourtney Kardashian’s ex, Scott Disick, having a night out together, saying it had made her laugh a lot.

Britney apologized for sharing a video, explaining she didn’t know the people in it but found it hilarious. She has since removed the post.

Before Chris Evans became famous as Captain America and was named People’s Sexiest Man Alive in 2022, Jana Kramer dated him and thought he was a handsome and charming guy.

I was so surprised to hear this story! The singer shared on her *Whine Down with Jana Kramer* podcast a while back – it was over ten years ago, actually – that she dated someone, though she can’t quite remember exactly how many times they went out. But she *does* remember their last date vividly.

Jana, who was around 26 at the time, said Chris asked her to come over when he had some friends visiting from Boston.

Jana recalled that the last thing she remembered was her partner going to the bathroom right after she’d eaten asparagus, which gives urine a noticeable smell. They didn’t end up intimate that night; he stayed up late with friends, and the next morning she left his house feeling embarrassed – what she called the ‘asparagus walk of shame’.

She added, “I never heard from him again.”

Not all of these confessions are amusing.

In December, television writer Elisabeth Finch confessed that she had fabricated a story about having a rare bone cancer. She originally shared the false diagnosis in an ELLE article eight years prior, and it even became the basis for a plotline on the show Grey’s Anatomy.

Elisabeth recently confessed to telling a lie at age 34, calling it the biggest regret of her life. She explained to *The Ankler* newsletter that the falsehood grew over time, becoming a heavy burden she carried for years. She also clarified, ‘I have never had cancer.’

Following his administrative leave and eventual resignation from the ABC medical drama, Finch admitted, “I messed up badly. My actions were completely unacceptable, and I take full responsibility.”

Beauty is pain, but Kim Kardashian might be able to stomach it.

The reality star told *The New York Times* she’d consider almost any procedure to look younger, joking that she was open to trying everything.

She admitted in June that she’d even consider something extreme – like eating something disgusting daily – if it meant she could look younger. She emphasized she was serious, saying, ‘I just might!’

Kim told Allure in July 2022 that she was mostly kidding when she made the comment, but admitted it wasn’t a completely awful idea.

Kim thought for a moment and then said, ‘Honestly, I’d probably eat something awful if someone promised it would make me look younger-even if it meant eating a bowl of poop every day.’

She wasn’t sure how much she could eat. “Perhaps just a small bite,” she said. “I definitely couldn’t manage a whole bowl.”

Jelly Roll could’ve used some saving from himself.

During an April 2025 interview on *The Jennifer Hudson Show*, the singer of “Save Me” shared a particularly embarrassing story, and he didn’t hesitate to tell all the details.

“I pooped myself one time,” he admitted. “I did, I’m sorry.”

To be honest, Jelly Roll (whose real name is Jason Bradley DeFord) didn’t intend to cause such serious harm.

He firmly believed it was just a misunderstanding. “I sincerely apologize,” he said. “I saw the audience turn from supportive to completely against me.”

Read More

2025-09-26 21:18