Blake Lively and Penn Badgley’s relationship in their own words
As Dan and Serena came down the aisle Gossip Girl, Penn Badgeley And Blake Vivid called it quits long before the 2012 series finale.
“I found out on the set of the Season 2 finale that Blake and Penn had broken up months earlier,” executive producer Joshua Safran told Vanity purse in August 2017 while celebrating the 10th anniversary of the show’s debut. “They hid the breakup from the crew, which you could never do now. I don’t even know how they did it. They’ve kept it hidden from everyone, which is a testament to how good they are as actors. Because they didn’t want their personal drama to be related to the show.
Us weekly confirmed in October 2010 that Badgley and Lively had split after three years together. “They are professionals,” said a source Us at the time. “They’re still good friends and hang out on set.”
A year later Gossip Girl packed, the you star recalled what it was like to continue making the teen drama after their split.
“We were very absorbed in the show, which itself was a six-year endurance test. Our relationship was part of that and got us through it,” Badgley shared Elle in 2013. “I mean, like anything valuable, it was good and bad and it was a learning experience.”
He added that things can get “distorted” when you’re on a hit show and dating your costar.
“As an actor who is in a relationship, you have the opportunity to have something really exceptional because you don’t have a tight schedule or lifestyle. But then it can also be very crooked,” he continued. “You have on-camera romances, which I normally have no problem with. There are complications that are an object of attention. I’ve found it to be a double-edged sword. But I’m glad I can handle him.”
Despite the on-screen drama between all the characters, Badgley has maintained that he and Lively had no issues behind the scenes.
“We were extremely professional,” he continued Watch What Happens live with Andy Cohen in 2015. “And I think we should both pat ourselves on the back for getting through it. … We handled it.
Four years later, Chace Crawford echoed his former castmate’s comments.
“Not at all. Not in the least”, the Boys actor then responded Andy Cohen asked if the real-life relationship caused drama on set. “Most mature people in the world.”
Both Badgley and Lively found love — and named kids James! – after their split. The star of A Simple Favor is married Ryan Reynolds in 2012 and welcomed four children – daughters James, Inez and Betty – and a fourth child whose name they have yet to announce. The John Tucker must die alum Wed Domino Kirke in 2017 and she gave birth to son James in 2020. (Badgley is also the stepfather of Cassius, Kirke’s son from her previous relationship with Morgan O’Kane.)
Sign up for Us Weekly’s free, daily newsletter and never miss the latest news or exclusive stories about your favorite celebrities, TV shows and more!
Scroll on for more from Lively and Badgley on their relationship: