Due to his success as Joe Goldberg in You, many have forgotten Penn Badgley has been cast as the boy next door due to his soft-spoken yet confident demeanor. We saw it in Gossip Girl, Easy A, and even as the psychopathic stalker Joe.
Why is Penn the perfect boy next door? Is it his looks, his winning smile? Or maybe it’s his personality and ability to make people feel safe around him. Whatever it is you like about Penn Badgley, here are 10 reasons why he is the perfect boy next door.
Looks
Since starting as Dan Humphrey in Gossip Girl, we’ve been swooning over the dark curls and dark brown eyes. He’s not so hot that he’s unattainable but he’s also not a dud.
He has exactly what most would consider handsome as well as a unique style not a lot of people can replicate. He’s the type of boy you’d always want to look good for whenever you leave the house in the slight chance he might be outside.
Confidence
Some similarities between Dan and Joe is that they both have confidence that shows they’re true to themselves while not trying to be the center of attention. Dan is confident enough to go after Serena even though she’s waaayy out of his league and Joe is confident in his skills and ability to outsmart most people around him. Simply put, he’s confident enough to draw attention but enough that he sounds obnoxious and full of himself.
This is a very desirable quality and one that not a lot of guys can compete with.
Ability To Make Others Feel Safe
When it comes to having a boo thing, one of the most desirable qualities is having someone that makes you feel safe and wanted. Penn exudes that in his role. He’s not a fighter by any means but he knows how to treat a lady and he knows when to give people room instead of looming over them and making them feel uncomfortable.
Although Joe was a creepy and controlling stalker, he also knew when he was going too far and would sometimes even stop what he was doing for fear of hurting his loved ones. Dan made his little sister feel safe when she was struggling and made every girl he dated in Gossip Girl feel like she was the only girl in the world.
Honesty
This one is a little bit of a doozy. Although both Dan and Joe are liars (Joe is a stalker and Dan was secretly Gossip Girl), he still struggles with being honest no matter who it may hurt.
When his back is against the wall, he often goes with what’s right and his honesty compared to costars with questionable values.
Personality
Penn always gives off the quiet, mysterious but witty guy who’s quick to a comeback. Whether he’s struggling to keep up with the socialites of New York or working a blue-collar job, he’s always playing the same role.
It suites him, girls love a mysterious man but they also love a man who’s true to himself and can roll with the punches.
Loyalty
Although he makes some pretty questionable moves in his roles, one thing he is is loyal. Whether it be to the relationship or to himself, he is a loyal person who only has eyes for those around him.
He remains fixated on one person and doesn’t even think of cheating, it’s almost gag-worthy for him to even think about. His loyalty although it may seem misplaced at times serves as a pillar to a solid relationship.
Moral Compass
Now hear us out before you call us weirdos for saying a stalker or a pretender morally okay. But Joe has a moral compass, he tries to be a good person even though he’s very clearly not. It’s what separates him from a heartless murderer and makes him human instead of a killing machine.
As Dan Humphrey and in his role in Easy A, he’s the good guy, the safe bet, the one that stands for truth no matter how outlandish it may seem. He sees people for who they really are and remains patient.
Man of Mystery
This one is a sure given and a true staple to any Penn Badgley character. It’s part of what makes him who he is. Even Penn himself is mysterious and plays his cards close to his chest, even around his closest friends.
Whether it’s pretending to be a female gossip blogger or a normal guy, it seems like he’s always hiding something behind those dark eyes. He likes to keep it that way, slowly unraveling more of himself as the person makes the effort to get to know him. In YOU and Gossip Girl he was never much one for social media and was considered old fashioned.
Honest Profession
Another part of what makes Penn Badgley so great is his humble and honest demeanor, even in his career choices. From being a good writer to working in a bookstore, he’s pretty hipster when it comes to his career.
Nothing is quite as exciting as a storyteller or an avid reader. It’s an honest profession and one that he totally takes pride in in the best ways. He’s not quite a blue-collar worker but it is still a creative and humbling profession.
Not Afraid To Stand Up For What’s Right (Or His Lady)
Penn Badgley has always been a lone wolf. He’s never been one to hang out in big friend circles and often looks uncomfortable in big crowds. He marches to the beat of his own drum in that way so it’s hard to influence him.
He stands up for his own beliefs, even when they’re not always popular, he stands up for what’s right. He’s not a fighter but he can be if the situation demands it. He’s shown it several times in all his roles and although he’s not always handling it well, he works towards helping his loved ones.
