Netflix star Penn Badgley revealed he's getting more self-conscious about his body image as he nears his 40th birthday.
The lead actor in the suspense series You realized he'd gained some unexpected pounds when doing the wardrobe fitting for the newest season of the show, which will be its fifth. He plays crazed stalker Joe Goldberg in the Netflix drama.
Badgley made the confession on his podcast, Podcrushed, which he co-hosts with artist Sophie Ansari and filmmaker Nava Kevelin.
The 37-year-old admitted thinking, "I really need to get back in the gym" after interviewing that episode's guest Joe Manganiello. The True Blood actor is known for his good looks and muscular physique.
"But I am now nearing 40...when I started You the show, I was 30," he began.
"So point being, I have been trying on the clothes for my show where I'm playing Joe Goldberg, and I'm like, 'Wow these pants are very tight,' and my goodness it was hard to get into those pants again."
Badgley added that he realized it was time to "think a little bit differently."
"I have to be more proactive and have to really dedicate myself to eating differently which I don't like doing."
His co-hosts admitted they had noticed his body had changed, but thought it was because he was "more buff."
"This is my version of gaining weight," Badgley revealed, saying he often doesn't "realize" how skinny he is when he is skinny.
"And then, it takes trying on the old clothes, and I'm like, 'holy crap," he added.
Newsweek contacted Badgley's representatives by email for comment.
Body image and body dysmorphia issues have increased in recent years, according to the Newport Institute.
"Exacerbated by the unrealistic expectations set by media and social media, male body image issues are especially prevalent among young adults," the institute wrote on its website.
"Moreover, men are less likely than women to talk about or get help for these issues. While the body positivity movement among women has grown substantially over the last decade, male body positivity isn't focused on nearly as much."
The institute added: "Therefore, the stigma around male body image issues often prevents young men from speaking honestly about their experiences and seeking treatment for related mental health challenges."
Badgley rose to fame in shows such as the CW's Gossip Girl and the teen comedy movie, Easy A with multiple Oscar winner Emma Stone.
He married singer Domino Kirke in 2014 and they welcomed a son in 2020.
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