Domino Kirke Addresses Rumors About Penn Badgley’s Intimacy Scenes

Domino Kirke has publicly addressed ongoing speculation regarding her husband Penn Badgley’s decision to step back from filming intimate scenes, telling critics to "get over it." The musician and wife of the You actor took to Instagram to clarify that she played no role in her husband’s career choices, despite years of persistent rumors suggesting otherwise.

Kirke Addresses Misconceptions About Career Boundaries

In a recent video shared on her social media, Kirke revealed that she continues to receive direct messages attributing Badgley’s professional boundaries to her influence. The 42-year-old singer emphasized that the decision was entirely her husband’s, made approximately three years ago to prioritize his own mental health and professional standards.

"I’m still getting DMs about this thing that happened about three years ago, when he decided he didn’t want to do intimacy scenes," Kirke stated. She noted that for Badgley, who is recognized for his role in the series You, the choice was a significant departure from industry expectations. "He didn’t want to be intimate with his co-stars. He didn’t want to kiss. He didn’t want to do any of that, which is a really big deal in his industry."

Badgley’s Personal Choice Regarding Intimacy

Penn Badgley first made headlines in February 2023 when he discussed his desire to minimize intimacy scenes during an appearance on Andy Cohen Live. The 38-year-old actor described the choice as a matter of "relationship hygiene," explaining that he felt uncomfortable navigating physical intimacy on screen while maintaining a committed relationship with Kirke. He also expressed discomfort with the inherent objectification involved in filming such scenes.

Kirke expressed support for her husband’s decision, noting that it has served as an inspiration for her own career. "When he decided he didn’t want to do that anymore, I was so happy for him and so proud of him," she said. She added that she is not merely "Penn Badgley’s wife," but a professional who encourages others to set boundaries that align with their own values and career goals.

Pragmatic Adjustments in the Final Season of You

Despite his initial stance, Badgley later clarified that his decision was a personal preference rather than an absolute prohibition. By the time the fifth and final season of You premiered in April 2025, the actor had participated in necessary intimate scenes.

In an interview with People magazine last year, Badgley acknowledged the practical realities of his profession. "I had to put that decision aside," he said. "As I’ve always said, my desire is for it to be as little as possible, but if it’s necessary, it has to be there because of the nature of the work we all agreed to do. So we made sure those scenes were vital, important, and consciously crafted."

Domino Kirke Seeks Privacy for Her Children

Domino Kirke and Penn Badgley began their relationship in 2014 and married in a private ceremony at New York City Hall in February 2017. The couple shares a six-year-old son born in August 2020, as well as twins born in September 2025. While the pair remains active in their respective careers, they have consistently chosen to keep the names of their children private. This latest statement from Kirke marks a firm attempt to move past years of public conjecture regarding their private lives and professional boundaries.