Get the latest gossip

Penn Badgley Talks Struggling with Body Dysmorphia: 'I Hated My Body and Wanted a Different One'

Penn Badgley opened up about struggling with body dysmorphia throughout his childhood and how starting his acting career amplified that.

The You star, 38, spoke to The Guardian and explained that although he wasn’t officially diagnosed by a doctor or psychologist, he had difficulty accepting his looks as a kid. Body dysmorphia is a mental health disorder in which a person can't stop thinking about a perceived defect or flaw in their appearance, according to the Mayo Clinic. In addition to praying and meditating every day, the actor said he leans on “the simple stuff of life, like having a family, meaningful relationships with my friends.”

Get the Android app