At the heart of early 2000s pop culture was Gossip Girl, a show that gave us endless drama on-screen and, apparently, a little bit of it off-screen too. While Serena van der Woodsen and Blair Waldorf may have been inseparable frenemies, Blake Lively and Leighton Meester, who portrayed them, were not exactly besties. So, what’s the tea? Let’s dive into the drama, step by step.
Were Blake and Leighton Friends IRL?
According to Gossip Girl executive producer Joshua Safran, the short answer is: not really. During the show’s 10th anniversary in 2017, he spilled some behind-the-scenes tea in an interview with Vanity Fair. Safran bluntly stated, “Blake and Leighton were not friends.” Ouch.
He clarified, though, that there wasn’t any huge feud or major blowups. “They were friendly, but they were not friends like Serena and Blair.” Essentially, they were civil coworkers but never bonded outside of work. Safran went on to explain that the two actresses had very different personalities. Blake was “in the moment” and outgoing, often chatting about her plans and the latest hotspots. Leighton, on the other hand, was more reserved and introverted, often keeping to herself after filming.
Did They Actually Dislike Each Other?
This is where things get murkier. While Safran painted their dynamic as “different vibes, no big drama,” other reports suggest it wasn’t quite so simple. A 2008 New York Magazine article claimed that Blake and Leighton “avoided each other like the plague” on set, creating a tense atmosphere. Allegedly, their castmates even felt like they had to pick sides. Yikes.
It’s unclear if there was a specific falling-out or if they simply didn’t click, but one thing’s for sure: their relationship wasn’t harmonious. Fans have speculated that the competitive nature of their iconic roles — two stylish, powerful girls constantly vying for the spotlight — may have spilled over into real life.
Why Don’t They Ever Talk About Each Other Now?
Fast-forward to today, and there’s no sign of reconciliation. Blake and Leighton don’t follow each other on Instagram, rarely acknowledge each other in interviews, and haven’t been seen together since the show wrapped in 2012. While Blake has gone on to dominate headlines with her fashion and film roles, Leighton has kept a relatively low profile, focusing on smaller projects and her family life with husband Adam Brody.
Was the Drama as Big as TikTok Makes It Seem?
If you’ve scrolled through TikTok lately, you’ve probably seen fans revisiting this alleged feud. However, it seems like most of the tension stems from their contrasting personalities rather than any major incident. The truth? Blake and Leighton were probably just coworkers who didn’t vibe, and the intense media scrutiny surrounding Gossip Girl likely didn’t help.
Do They Still Keep in Touch?
All signs point to no. While their characters might have been BFFs, Blake and Leighton’s lack of interaction in recent years suggests that they’ve gone their separate ways for good. But hey, we’ll always have Serena and Blair’s unforgettable antics to cherish, and maybe that’s all that matters.
In the end, Blake and Leighton’s dynamic reminds us that not every iconic duo off-screen has to be just as close IRL. Sometimes, great TV is just that: great TV.
