Rapper Cardi B and actor Penn Badgley‘s friendship surprised fans as one of the most unexpected friendships in the entertainment industry. What started as an interaction between the duo on social media turned into a close bond in the span of a few years. However, one of the most important roles in their friendship was played by Badgley’s Netflix series, You. Here is everything fans need to know regarding their bond.

Exploring Cardi B and Penn Badgley’s friendship

Cardi B and Penn Badgley’s friendship has largely consisted of them fangirling over each other over the years. The saga began with Badgley, who applauded Cardi B during a 2019 interview while promoting the first season of the Netflix series You.

According to Glamour, he stated he was a fan of people who “have this sort of totally second-nature relationship” with the internet. He added, “Cardi B is a great example of that. She has such an authentic relationship. That’s why people like her so much.”

The clip resurfaced in 2021 and caught Cardi B’s attention. She immediately responded to it on X (Twitter), and wrote, “HE KNOWS ME !!OMMMGGGG!!!!!!Yoooo, like I’m famous famous.” Badgley also responded to the fangirling, seemingly taken aback.

Following this, the duo replaced their profile pictures with one another’s, cementing them as internet besties.

In 2023, with the release of You Season 4, Cardi B and Penn Badgley’s friendship sparked widespread online discussions when her song I Like It was featured in the show. According to E! News, this resulted in the rapper receiving a letter from Joe Goldberg, Penn Badgley’s character in You, which read, “My stalking and killing may make me a certified freak, but it also brought me to…you. Cardi B, you have a way with social media. You’re meaningful. I just like you.”

According to Deadline, the small interactions between Cardi B and Penn Badgley brought the rapper to preview the trailer for You Season 5 in March 2025. In her reaction to it, she said, “I cannot wait, and it’s like they got a little, cute surprise. I cannot wait for you guys to see the trailer.”