Big Bang Theory: Kaley Cuoco Explains How Penny Became Less Sexualized

Kaley Cuoco has opened up about Penny’s sexualized wardrobe in The Big Bang Theoryand how it changed over the years. When the sitcom debuted in 2007, the actress was the only female main character. Cuoco appeared in all 12 seasons of the CBS popular show until it wrapped up in 2019. Throughout that time, Penny went through tremendous personal growth both in her personal and professional life, and her clothes reflected how she gradually evolved.

Beginning the show as an aspiring actress who moved to California to pursue a career, Penny eventually gives up on her Hollywood dreams. The character changes her path and becomes a pharmaceutical sales representative alongside Bernadette (Melissa Rauch). After years of dating, Penny also marries Leonard (Johnny Galecki), and despite a brief conflict about their stance on having kids, The Big Bang Theory finale revealed that the pair was expecting their first child. Looking back at Penny’s overall arc in the sitcom, the character experiences one of the most defined and satisfying personal journeys of all the central characters.

In an interview with W Magazine, Cuoco explained how Penny became less sexualized through her wardrobe throughout The Big Bang Theory‘s run. The actress described Penny’s beginnings as “the cute girl next door next to the nerds,” and how she was dressed for the part, sporting “booty shorts and Juicy Couture zip-ups.” However, as both Cuoco and Penny “grew up,” the actress became more vocal about what she wanted her character to wear onscreen to reflect her progress. Cuoco says she started switching Penny’s more sexualized outfits to “long-sleeve shirts,”“slacks” and “loafers,” which proved to be much more comfortable. Watch the full interview clip below:

Click here to watch the full video

Although Penny’s objectification in the early seasons of The Big Bang Theory were never directly addressed, it was heavily implied in the manner in which she was presented. What’s more, aside from her wardrobe, the character was also judged for her social life; going on dates that would sometimes end up back in her apartment. Sheldon (Jim Parsons) continuously chastised her for these choices. Meanwhile, before Howard (Simon Helberg) met Bernadette, he relentlessly hit on Penny and made lewd comments about her. Fortunately, as the show went on, Cuoco expressed her thoughts about how Penny was used in the show’s storytelling, resulting in a more well-rounded character than the simplistic “girl next door” trope.

The Big Bang Theorydid have some issues with regard to its brand of humor, and was sometimes considered racist, sexist, and generally offensive by many viewers. In Penny’s case, the inappropriate comments made by male characters were included for cheap laughs. Since the “nerds” were deemed social outcasts, however, they often got a pass for their behavior. Given the show’s issues with sexism, it is positive to hear that Cuoco’s preferences regarding Penny’s portrayal were listened to by the creators, and that the character was ultimately given the more well-developed arc she deserved.

Source: W Magazine

About The Author