Penn Badgley and Wife Domino Kirke Expecting Twins: A Surprise Pregnancy Announcement
Penn Badgley, widely known for his roles in Gossip Girl and You, is set to become a father again as his wife Domino Kirke recently revealed she is pregnant with twins. The exciting news comes as a surprise to fans, especially since the couple had not publicly hinted at expanding their family.
The 41-year-old musician and doula took to Instagram on February 28 to share the big announcement, calling the pregnancy a “plot twist” that left them in awe.
“Babies #3 and #4 coming this summer! Talk about a PLOT TWIST! Spontaneous twins are beyond magical. We are stunned. We are in awe.”
The couple already share a 4-year-old son, James, while Domino is also mom to 16-year-old Cassius, whom she shares with her ex, Morgan O’Kane. Despite the unexpected nature of the news, she made it clear that she couldn’t imagine a better partner than Penn Badgley to navigate this journey with.
“Can’t think of anyone else I’d rather be on this ride with.”
Parenting and Creative Inspiration
As Domino prepares for this exciting new chapter, she has been able to channel her experiences as a mother and doula into her creative work. The singer-songwriter has long balanced her passion for music with her dedication to supporting women through childbirth.
“Being a doula for as long as I’ve been a parent has healed my relationship with my creativity over and over again,” she told Rolling Stone in a recent interview.
Her upcoming album, The Most Familiar Star, is expected to reflect many of these deeply personal experiences. The singer credits both motherhood and her career as a doula for shaping her artistic identity.
“I’m constantly reminded by my kids and clients that I’m a profoundly creative person. I don’t need to be making music or putting art into the world to feel like an artist.”
Penn Badgley on Parenting Challenges and Rewards
Despite the joy of expanding their family, Penn Badgley has openly spoken about the challenges of fatherhood. As a dad to both a biological son and a stepson, he has learned to navigate the complexities of blended family dynamics.
During a live taping of the Modern Love podcast on February 23, the You star reflected on the emotional ups and downs of parenting, admitting that patience can sometimes be tested.
“Sometimes it can be tough, and you can just be over it. And for whatever reason, there’s always going to be the times as a parent… you lose your patience.”
However, he also emphasized the profound connection he feels with his son James.
“For me, it’s just the sheer size of them, being so small, the naivete, the helplessness. I would lose my patience with other people, no doubt, but not [him].”
Navigating Life as a Stepfather
Penn has also been candid about his role as a stepfather to Cassius. With Cassius’ biological father actively involved in his life, Penn has embraced a supportive and unique position in his stepson’s world.
“I have an interesting situation where I have a biological son and a stepson. And my stepson—his father is very much in his life, so his father is his father, and I’m something else.”
Despite the challenges that come with being a stepparent, Penn has found meaningful ways to bond with Cassius. One of those moments came when he decided to spend quality time watching a movie together, something he felt was an important bonding experience.
“I just knew it was important. It was like the stars had aligned so that my wife and youngest son were asleep, and I was just like, ‘This is a good time to do this. You’re not going to play video games right now. We’re going to do this.'”
He continued, emphasizing how small yet meaningful activities can strengthen relationships:
“You want to talk about modern love? One of the ways you got to do that is watch things with people.”
Penn and Domino’s Relationship Timeline
Penn Badgley and Domino Kirke began dating in 2014, and after three years together, they tied the knot in an intimate courthouse wedding in Brooklyn in February 2017. Later that year, they had a larger celebration with friends and family, marking the start of their journey as husband and wife.
Throughout their marriage, the couple has remained low-key yet deeply connected, frequently supporting each other in their respective careers. While Penn has remained busy with his acting projects, Domino has continued her work as a doula and musician, using her personal experiences to fuel her artistry.
In 2020, the couple welcomed their first child together, James, following previous struggles with fertility. Domino had previously opened up about experiencing multiple miscarriages before successfully carrying James to term.
“I stopped trusting my body and started to accept the fact that I was done,” she admitted in a heartfelt Instagram post. “As a birth attendant, I’ve seen it all. It took me a while to embrace the reality of this pregnancy, which felt like an impossible dream.”
Gossip Girl Star Turned Family Man
Penn Badgley first rose to fame playing Dan Humphrey on Gossip Girl, the mysterious outsider turned Upper East Side elite. Since then, he has continued his acting career with critically acclaimed roles, including his dark and twisted portrayal of Joe Goldberg in Netflix’s You.
But despite his success in Hollywood, family remains his top priority. While he rarely shares details about his personal life, Penn has spoken about the impact of fatherhood, explaining how it has changed his outlook on life.
“Fatherhood has been a profoundly humbling experience. It forces you to step outside of yourself and be fully present for someone else.”
As Penn and Domino prepare for the arrival of their twins, their household is set to become even livelier. With four children in the mix, their parenting journey will reach new heights, bringing fresh challenges and rewards along the way.
Looking Ahead
With twins on the way, Domino Kirke and Penn Badgley are entering an exciting new phase in their lives. As they navigate the joys and challenges of raising four children, one thing remains certain: their deep love and commitment to their growing family.
As fans celebrate this joyful news, many are eagerly waiting for further updates on their pregnancy journey and the arrival of their newest family members this summer. Until then, it’s clear that Penn and Domino are embracing this next adventure with open hearts.
While waiting for the twins to arrive, take a look at what other Gossip Girl alums are up to these days!
