Penn Badgley joins Jameela Jamil on 'I Weigh' to discuss his experience in the limelight, being heavily sexualized, the challenges of sex scenes, fame's effect on his children, his personal journey, and exploring the meaning of love. They also reflect on the objectification of men, society's obsession with romance, and the importance of promoting sensitivity in men. The conversation touches on navigating perception, expressing opinions, exploitation and hateful messages, challenges of fame, struggles with socializing, and addressing loneliness amidst increased connectivity.
Men face challenges of objectification and the double standard in the entertainment industry.
Establishing boundaries and respecting actors' comfort levels in intimate scenes is crucial.
Fame can lead to a fragmented sense of self, and discussing these experiences openly is often met with dismissiveness or ingratitude.
Deep dives
The Challenges of Fame and Objectification
Penn Badgley discusses the challenges of fame and objectification, particularly for men. He shares his personal experiences of being objectified and how it can feel like being taken advantage of. He highlights the double standard where men are expected to embrace objectification but are criticized when they express discomfort with it. Badgley also reflects on the impact of fame on his mental health and the pressure to maintain a certain image in the industry.
The Complexity of Intimacy Scenes
The podcast delves into Badgley's decision to limit explicit love scenes in his show 'You' and his discomfort with on-screen intimacy. Badgley discusses the challenges of performing intimate scenes and the need to establish boundaries in such situations. He reflects on society's obsession with sex and romance and the expectations placed on actors in those roles. Badgley urges for a nuanced understanding of intimacy and respect for individuals' boundaries and comfort levels.
The Journey Towards Mental Health and Self-Reflection
Badgley shares his personal journey with mental health, including his use of substances, such as alcohol and weed, and his decision to quit. He highlights the importance of self-reflection, meditation, and prayer in his mental health maintenance. Badgley emphasizes the need for a balance between personal growth and societal pressures, as well as the significance of love and connection in overcoming challenges. He also notes the importance of addressing societal issues related to mental health and loneliness.
Understanding the Impact of Fame and Identity
The podcast discusses the impact of fame on an individual's identity. The speaker, who started as a child star, reflects on the ways in which success in the entertainment industry can lead to a fragmented sense of self. They highlight how many actors have complicated paths in navigating their identities and often feel the need to constantly project a different persona to be taken seriously. The speaker emphasizes the challenges of being sexualized from a young age and the pressure to constantly redefine oneself in order to be perceived as more than just a character. They also express the belief that fame is a product of a larger societal sickness, and that discussing these experiences openly is often met with dismissiveness or ingratitude.
Exploring Mental Health and the Definition of Love
The podcast delves into the topic of mental health and challenges the conventional understanding of the term. The speaker expresses their reservations about labeling mental health solely as a brain-related issue and advocates for a broader perspective that includes emotional stability and the impact of societal norms. They discuss the disconnect between our cultural obsession with love and the lack of understanding and definition of it in our society. The speaker references a book on love and explores the concept of emotional dissociation, highlighting the need to sit with and understand our feelings. They emphasize the importance of focusing on love and feelings rather than intellectualizing mental health, and the potential for personal growth and a better society if we prioritize emotional well-being.
Today we bring you an episode from "I Weigh", the podcast against shame hosted by Jameela Jamil, where she sits down with Penn for a wide-spanning conversation. From Jameela's feed: "Actor, podcaster, and most thoughtful man Penn Badgley joins Jameela and the two ponder life, love and fame. They discuss his experience becoming an adult in the limelight, what it feels like to be heavily sexualized, why they both don't enjoy sex scenes, how his fame affects his children, his personal journey with finding peace and happiness, and together they ask the toughest question - what is love?"
