Penn Badgley speaks out on Gossip Girl co-star Michelle Trachtenberg’s death for first time

Penn Badgley has spoken about his Gossip Girl co-star Michelle Trachtenberg’s death for the first time.

The 38-year-old You actor and the late actress, who passed away aged 39 in February of this year, starred on the hit drama series together as Dan Humphrey and Georgina Sparks respectively.

Trachtenberg was found dead in a New York City apartment near Columbus Circle and, earlier this month, it was officially that her cause of death was due to complications involving diabetes.

Badgley addressed his co-star's passing while attending the red carpet premiere of his Netflix thriller series' fifth and final season earlier this week (23 April).

"What I remember of her is she was incredibly quick to laugh," he told E! News. "She was really joyous. 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."

Noting that he hadn't seen Trachtenberg 'in over a decade', the actor did, however, describe her as a 'really pure heart'.

"It’s surreal," Badgley added of the Mysterious Skin star's sudden passing. "Really surreal, really saddening."

A number of tributes from fans and celebrities alike previously flooded in following Trachtenberg's passing.

Ed Westwick, best known for playing Chuck Bass on Gossip Girl alongside Trachtenberg,took to Instagram to pay tribute to the star.

Writing on his story, the British actor said: "So sad to hear of the passing of @michelletrachtenberg sending prayers," accompanied with a prayer emoji and a white heart.

Blake Lively, who played Serena van der Woodsen on the show, likewise took to Instagram to share a heartfelt message to her beloved late co-star.

She captioned a photo of them on set taken from the 'first day' she ever met Trachtenberg, writing: "She was electricity. You knew when she entered a room because the vibration changed. Everything she did, she did 200%.

"She laughed the fullest at someone's joke, she faced authority head on when she felt something was wrong, she cared deeply about her work, she was proud to be a part of this community and industry as painful as it could be sometimes, she was fiercely loyal to her friends and brave for those she loved, she was big and bold and distinctly herself."

Sharing a sweet anecdote from their days on the Gossip Girl set together, Lively continued: "And she always had yummy caramel smelling lipgloss on because she didn't just want to sparkle on camera, she liked creating a nice experience for anyone who was in her orbit, even down to the subtle smell of her lipgloss because she cared about the sweet details.

"She was a kind person, through and through."

Explaining that 'time passes', Lively went on to add: "You take for granted that you get the chance to see an old friend. To paraphrase, the real tragedies in life are the ones that blindside you on an idle Tuesday."

Issuing a piece of advice to her followers reading the tribute, the actress resolved: "Hold those you love and have loved dear.

"The world lost a deeply sensitive and good person in Michelle."

"May her work and her huge heart be remembered by those who were lucky enough to experience her fire," Lively concluded.