Penn Badgley is opening up about his self-perception.
Recently, the individual you’re referring to took a moment to reminisce about his past as a young performer and shared his struggles with something he labeled as “body image issues,” or more specifically, “dysmorphic feelings.
In an interview with The Guardian on April 16, Penn expressed that he deeply disliked his physical self and yearned for a different body instead.
His body dysmorphia, a condition characterized by excessive preoccupation with perceived imperfections in one’s physical appearance (as defined by Mayo Clinic), worsened due to the loneliness he experienced following his parents’ divorce. This sense of isolation led him to put on weight. Interestingly, this transformation had repercussions on his mental health at work as well. He is 38 years old.
During a time when I emerged from my depression and solitude,” Penn explained, “I found myself both eagerly and unwillingly immersed in a realm. In this world, the more traditionally attractive I appeared, the greater my potential success and worth seemed to be.
He remarked, ‘This work is only skin-deep, and once you understand that, you can’t help but see the same shallowness reflected in our culture, since it values such work.’
As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but reflect on the profound impact “Gossip Girl” had on me, and more importantly, on our societal perceptions of beauty. Having been part of that iconic cast, I believe the series, airing from 2007 to 2012 and featuring stars like Blake Lively, Leighton Meester, and Chace Crawford, inadvertently magnified society’s undesirable obsession with physical attractiveness.
He commented, “What program were you referring to, apart from its visual appeal? Its unique selling point, if you will, was how everyone involved in it appeared. However, I must admit that I wasn’t a fan of the shallow fame element associated with my image.”
He said, “Which show were you talking about, beyond its artistic merit? That was its distinct feature—the way everyone involved presented themselves. But I have to be honest, I didn’t care much for the shallow aspect of celebrity that came with being associated with me.
Despite the persistent challenge of high beauty standards, Penn—who is a father to 4-year-old son James and stepfather to 15-year-old Cassius, with wife Domino Kirke who is pregnant at 40—attributed his resilience in his acting career to his spiritual beliefs.
He clarified that those experiences helped him keep going despite the disenchantment and difficulties he faced, and eventually return to everything, hopefully having undergone some sort of internal change.
These days, I find myself drawn to the essential aspects of life – nurturing my family and cherishing my friendships. They are the cornerstones of my existence.
Read on to see more stars who have been open about their mental health journeys.
The former star of “Gossip Girl” shared insights about his childhood acting days, referring to an issue he faced as “a distorted body image.
Penn confessed to The Guardian in April 2025 that they had deeply disliked their physical self and yearned for a different body instead.
In reaction to the weight he gained after his parents’ divorce, he expressed, “There was a time when, emerging from depression and seclusion, I found myself willingly diving into, yet also being pushed into, a world where the more traditionally attractive I appeared, the greater my potential success, and the higher my perceived worth.
Despite the mental struggles, though, Penn credited his ability to persist to his spirituality.
He clarified that those experiences helped him endure disappointments and confront challenges, and ultimately return to them, hoping for some internal change.
The Scrubs alum has been vocal about her past difficult relationship with food.
She remarked on the “The Funny Thing Is” podcast, saying, “Others might label it an eating disorder, but for me, it’s simply part of my existence.” She added, “Food has always been my vice. I’ve done some extraordinary things around it.
She added, “I would over-exercise, and there was a sprinkle of bulimia in there.”
Despite admitting her difficulties with her diet, she’s equally open about her advancements in achieving her health and fitness objectives.
In 2017, when she was 23 years old, she eliminated sugar from her diet, stopped drinking alcohol, and started practicing yoga, deep breathing exercises, and stretching. She explained to Bon Appétit that this lifestyle change is the best form of Ritalin anyone could receive.
She went on to say, “I am a performer who struggles with both eating disorders and self-image concerns, and I want to be honest about that. I’m working hard to mend those aspects of myself and manage my health in a natural way by providing my body with the best nutrients it needs.
The actress from “Full House” shared insights about her personal struggle with mental health, specifically her experiences dealing with depression.
She revealed on the “Candace Cameron Bure Podcast” that it’s tough for her to discuss the matter, not even with those she trusts most. For her, it seems she believes she ought to be strong enough to handle it, but admitting weakness instead feels like a letdown.
The Grammy-winning artist is quite transparent about the methods she uses to safeguard her vitality, including disregarding negative comments on social platforms, and offering guidance for those who might benefit from it.
When someone asks me about suggestions for mental health guidance, all I can offer is the importance of patience, she shared with Vogue. I practiced patience towards myself, not rushing to act impulsively. Instead, I waited and allowed time to work its healing magic. The symptoms slowly diminished over time.
As people strived to adapt positively to social distancing measures aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, the artist behind “Firework” openly acknowledged that such circumstances can also bring about significant stress.
Occasionally, she finds it tough deciding which is more challenging: dodging the virus or battling the surges of depression that accompany this altered lifestyle,” she shared on Twitter. Katy talked about how she navigates those surges, explaining, “Really, there’s not much else to do except spend a lot of time in my car. My car becomes my sanctuary during these times.
The fashion model collaborated with designer Kenneth Cole to promote The Mental Health Coalition, and she shared her personal struggles with anxiety during an appearance on “Good Morning America.
After her panic attacks began reoccurring, she “eventually managed to gather the necessary information about it.
Kendall shared that she experiences both calm and quite anxious days, which makes her mood unpredictable at times. She mentioned this as a reason for wanting to get involved in the movement. Her goal, she said, is to help others realize they’re not alone in their feelings.
The actor portraying Black Adam has been candid about his struggles with depression and the challenges men often face when discussing mental health issues.
I, too, have experienced the muck and despair that knows no boundaries. It took me a considerable amount of time to understand this truth, but the vital step is to conquer fear and express one’s feelings openly,” I penned on Twitter. “Men, in particular, tend to hold it inside. Know that you are not isolated in your struggles.
Prince Harry, often known as The Duke of Sussex, played a significant role in reducing the taboo associated with mental health treatment. During an interview with the Telegraph, he shared his personal experiences with therapy, expressing, “What I found is that once you begin discussing it, you come to understand that you’re not alone – you belong to quite a large group of people.
As an advocate for seeking help, much like the Empire star, I too have faced battles with depression. In my own journey, I’ve found solace in therapy. Just as she shared with Variety, I too find strength in these conversations, they help me navigate through my struggles.
Taraji P. Henson herself established The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation, an organization dedicated to combating the societal stigma surrounding mental health within the African-American community, while simultaneously working towards increasing the pool of Black therapists.
In her Instagram post from 2017, the actress from Riverdale shared that during middle school, she faced extreme anxiety and depression. However, the assistance and encouragement she received from her family and a therapist were pivotal in saving her life. She emphasized that taking the step to ask for help is crucial because each person holds an immense value to this world that they may not fully realize.
For quite some time, the actress who played the leading role in “Frozen” has openly shared her methods of handling her mental health during public speeches and also on her Instagram posts.
She’s been vocal about discovering approaches that suit you best, as she herself has found that solutions such as medication, maintaining a list of ten positives for each negative thought, and regular physical activity can be beneficial, according to Health.
The cookbook author, being a doting mother to four children, has also been candid about postpartum depression, a topic that many new mothers find hard to discuss due to its stigma.
In her letter to Glamour penned in 2017, she expressed that speaking openly about it became progressively simpler each time. She wished for others to understand that this experience can affect anyone and she didn’t want those experiencing it to feel ashamed or isolated.
During an interview with The Edit magazine, as she publicized her book titled “Mirror, Miror”, the model candidly discussed battling depression and contemplating suicide in her teenage years, describing a sense of darkness within herself during those difficult times.
Cara admitted that she placed too much emphasis on others’ love for her happiness, and needed to learn self-reliance for true joy,” the publication reported, as quoted from W. “Now, being alone brings me happiness, but it was a journey I had to take over time.
Ariana Grande, known for her “Thank U, Next” song, playfully responded to a joke about her therapist by saying, “This joke is hilarious, but seriously, therapy has saved my life on numerous occasions.
As someone who understands the struggle, let me assure you: there’s no need to hesitate when seeking help. You don’t have to endure constant discomfort and can work through your traumatic experiences. I myself am on a journey of self-discovery, but recognizing that healing is possible is a significant step forward.
The artist openly shares her struggles and victories regarding addiction, recovery, mental health, among other personal matters, often incorporating these experiences into her musical creations.
Apart from that, she often emphasizes to her followers that taking care of one’s mental health is an ongoing journey filled with its fair share of challenging days. Previously, on Instagram, she penned, “Just a friendly reminder for those who might be battling: this life is a voyage marked by numerous highs and lows, but remember, don’t give up.
Apart from portraying characters who tackle mental health concerns, like her character Rue in the teen series Euphoria, she has also personally experienced and addressed these issues.
2013 holds a special place in my memory, for it was the year when appearing on Ellen took a toll on me due to anxiety, as my mic went awry. Over time, I’ve learned strategies to keep those anxious feelings at bay, and now I find solace in taking a moment to step back and let things lose their grip on me, reducing the stress that once felt overwhelming.
In an open conversation with WSJ Magazine, the artist frankly shared insights into her personal struggle with mental health, expressing, “My peaks reached extraordinary heights, while my valleys could keep me absent for several weeks.
She confided that she’s dealing with mental health problems. After getting appropriate medication, her life has undergone a profound transformation.
The Grammy award-winning artist dedicated herself to promoting compassion and openly discussing mental health issues, even sharing her personal experiences.
For a significant period of time, I’ve kept my mental health struggles private and public,” she shared during the Global Changemakers Award at Children Mending Hearts’ Empathy Rocks fundraiser in 2018. “However, I firmly believe that hiding such issues only perpetuates illness.
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2025-04-18 04:50