Penn Badgley and Domino Kirke are officially parents times two! The couple just welcomed identical twin boys, giving fans a double dose of cuteness and joy. While everyone is swooning over the newest additions, it’s also got people asking: Who is Domino Kirke, Penn’s wife? She’s not just the woman by his side; she’s a singer, a doula, and a total powerhouse in her own right.
Their family just got a whole lot bigger, and these twins are already stealing hearts. Curious to know more about the woman who’s got Badgley wrapped around her finger and now juggling double the baby bliss? Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about Domino Kirke.
Who is Domino Kirke?
Domino Kirke isn’t just the woman lighting up Penn Badgley’s life; she’s a multi-talented singer, songwriter, birth doula, and all-around powerhouse with a story as captivating as her growing family.
Domino Kirke and Penn Badgley | Credit: Instagram/@domino_kirke_badgley
From dropping soulful music to navigating motherhood and supporting other parents through her doula work, Domino has built a life and identity that’s totally her own, all while staying in the public eye.
Sure, fans know her as the wife of the You star, but she’s so much more than a celebrity spouse; she’s a creative force, an advocate, and a mom making waves in her own right. Let’s unpack the life of Domino Kirke, from her artistic beginnings to her career, advocacy, and everything in between.
Family Heritage & Early Life
Domino Kirke was born on December 17, 1983, in London, England, into a family where creativity and artistry were woven into the fabric of daily life. Her father, Simon Kirke, is best known as the drummer for the legendary rock bands Free and Bad Company, while her mother, Lorraine Dellal, is a former model and the founder of the boutique Geminola in New York City.
Domino Kirke | Credit: Instagram/ @domino_kirke_badgley
At six, Domino began her musical journey, studying classical piano and voice. Thanks to her father’s professional career, her home was often filled with musical sounds, providing her with early exposure to the world of performance and creativity.
In the mid-1990s, the Kirke family relocated to Brooklyn, New York, where Domino continued her education at the prestigious Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School, known for nurturing young musical talents. Her upbringing taught her independence, curiosity, and the drive to pursue her passions fully.
Music Career: From Indie Roots to Soulful Storytelling
Music has always been Domino Kirke’s world, and she’s been owning it from day one. In the mid-2000s, she teamed up with Jordan Galland to form the indie band DOMINO, serving fresh, melodic vibes that immediately caught attention.
Their EP, Everyone Else Is Boring
, produced by Mark Ronson, was packed with catchy pop-rock hooks, and yes, it even landed a spot in Lena Dunham’s cult favorite Tiny Furniture. Domino was already proving she wasn’t just along for the ride; she was building her own lane in the music scene.
Fast forward to 2017, she dropped her solo debut Beyond Waves, a profoundly personal, soulful album that fans instantly connected with. She released her sophomore album, The Most Familiar Star, which dropped on April 18, 2025, and it hits differently.
Co-written with Eliot Krimsky and produced by Grizzly Bear’s Chris Taylor, this record is raw, real, and unfiltered. She dives into life’s heaviest and most personal moments, such as miscarriage, birth, abuse, parenthood, and healing.
Doula Work & Advocacy: Healing, Empowering, and Rewriting Birth Stories
Domino Kirke-Badgley is more than a musician; she’s a compassionate doula and advocate who has dedicated over 15 years to supporting families through the transformative journey of childbirth. Co-founding Carriage House Birth in Brooklyn, she created a nurturing space where families can find guidance, support, and community during one of life’s most profound experiences.
Her approach to doula work is deeply rooted in empathy and presence. Kirke emphasizes the importance of being fully present for families, stating, (via Carriage House Birth website)
Witnessing people give birth stops time. Holding that kind of space for families forces you into your body, the same way it does for the person giving birth.
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A post shared by Domino Kirke-Badgley (@domino_kirke_badgley)
Beyond her hands-on support, Kirke has been instrumental in advocating for more inclusive and realistic portrayals of parenthood. In collaboration with Joanna Griffiths, she co-authored Life After Birth: Portraits of Loveand the Beauty of Parenthood, a book that challenges the sanitized narratives often seen in media.
The book showcases the raw, unfiltered realities of postpartum life through over 100 photographs, aiming to normalize the complexities and challenges of new parenthood.
Her advocacy extends to education as well. She has been a vocal proponent for incorporating comprehensive childbirth education into school curricula. In a recent initiative, she introduced a birthing video to high school students, observing their reactions as they transitioned from nervousness to genuine awe.
She believes exposing young people to real birth experiences can demystify the process and foster a more informed and compassionate society.
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Inside Penn Badgley and Domino’s Love Story
Penn Badgley and Domino Kirke’s story started in 2014 at a New York City meatball shop. Penn was couch surfing, Domino had a spare room, and what began as a practical setup quickly turned into something more. They clicked right away and soon started dating. Domino hadn’t watched Gossip Girl at the time, so she knew little about Penn’s on-screen fame.
Domino Kirke and Penn Badgley | Credit: Instagram/ @domino_kirke_badgley
During her appearance on Badgley’s podcast Podcrushed, Kirke revealed that she asked him if he wanted to rent out a spare room in her apartment. She said,
I got his number because I was really interested in him living with me, and I thought he was cute. And it would have been nice to have a little winter, you know, fling with my roommate.
Badgley and Domino instantly clicked, and rumors started swirling after they were spotted together in July 2014. In a now-deleted interview with HeyMama (via People), Domino revealed that while they were seeing each other,
It wasn’t nearly as serious. I didn’t think marriage was in the cards for us.
In February 2017, they tied the knot in an intimate courthouse ceremony in Brooklyn, followed by a beautiful outdoor celebration in upstate New York, surrounded by close friends and family later that year.
The couple welcomed their first child together, a son named James, in August 2020. In February 2025, they announced they were expecting twins.
A Joyful Arrival for Penn and Domino’s Twin Boys
Penn Badgley and Domino Kirke have officially expanded their family with the arrival of identical twin boys. The couple first shared their pregnancy news in February 2025, and Badgley gave fans a first peek via an Instagram video on September 3, 2025.
He was promoting his upcoming live event for his new book Crushmore, which he authored alongside his podcast Podcrushed hosts Nava Kavelin and Sophie Ansari. Whispering so as not to wake the newborns, he even showed off their tiny feet, capturing a quiet, heartwarming moment.
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A post shared by Penn Badgley (@pennbadgley)
In the caption, he wrote,
Interrupting twin paternity leave to announce a live event @podcrushed at @symphonyspace Oct 14 NYC supporting the release of our book CRUSHMORE. Truly proud of this one. Please check it out! @podcrushed for all info
This brings their blended family to six, joining their 4-year-old son James and Domino’s 16-year-old son, Cassius, from a previous relationship. With musician Morgan O’Kane. In a conversation with Jimmy Fallon, the Easy A actor said,
So, the 4-year-old we have, he’s stoked because he’s just like he really wants to be a big brother. The 16-year-old, he’s excited for us, but he’s also, like ‘I’m gonna leave in two years.’
Badgely has reflected on the joys and responsibilities of raising good men, he said to Access Hollywood,
You know, I do mean this sincerely. It sounds a bit tacky, but the world needs more good men, so you know, pressure’s on us to raise them well.
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Penn and Domino’s journey has been full of love, laughter, and surprises, from their NYC meet-cute to growing a beautiful family. With their twins now home, the adventure continues.
Are you excited to see what’s next for this dynamic duo? Drop your thoughts in the comments!