During a red carpet appearance for “You” on April 23, Penn Badgley reflected on the loss of his former “Gossip Girl” co-star Michelle Trachtenberg. Trachtenberg suddenly passed away in February due to complications from diabetes mellitus. She had left a lasting impression on people in her life, hence discovering her unconscious in her apartment caused a stir among fans and co-stars alike. While many took to social media to share their grief, Penn Badgley opened up about the tragedy in an exclusive red carpet interview.
Penn Badgley saddened by Michelle Trachtenberg’s death: ‘Really surreal’
After Gossip Girl alum Michelle Trachtenberg’s untimely demise, her co-stars, including Penn Badgley, promptly expressed their shock. While talking to E! News, Badgley shared heartfelt thoughts about the actor, singing nothing but praise for her. The “You” star arrived at the premiere of the fifth season of the Netflix series, talking about the show, his wife, and his anticipated children.
While talking of Trachtenberg, Badgley described the memories with warmth and admiration. Although he admitted he had not met her in over ten years, he recalled her as having “a really pure heart.” He expressed how “surreal” and “saddening” the tragic loss felt, representing how the news resonated deeply within the entertainment industry.
At the same time, the “The Stepfather” actor recounted: “What I remember of her is she was incredibly quick to laugh.” Furthermore, he shared, “She was really joyous,” adding, “We all have our ups and downs, our lights and shadows, but she had this — I mean, she was mature, but she had this childlike, joyous laugh.”
Among other “Gossip Girl” actors, Trachtenberg’s death prompted heartfelt tributes from Blake Lively and Chace Crawford. Besides, her “Mercy” co-star James Van Der Beek shared a nostalgic video of the late actor rapping Nicki Minaj during a car ride, proving her impact was felt by many who worked with her throughout her career.
Michelle Trachtenberg’s sudden passing left a void in the hearts of her fans and co-stars, but Penn Badgley’s words of praise proved that her vibrant spirit and talent will never fade away.
