Leighton Meester, known for her role as Blair Waldorf in 'Gossip Girl,' recently shared insights into her six-year experience on the iconic show.
While the series catapulted her to international fame, Meester expressed reservations about the unhealthy work environment she navigated during those years.
'Gossip Girl' has maintained its timeless allure since its 2007 debut, remaining a memorable series in the hearts of viewers. Over its six-year run, the show chronicled the lives of characters like Serena (Blake Lively), Chuck (Ed Westwick), Dan (Penn Badgley), Nate (Chace Crawford), and, of course, Blair.
In an interview with PorterEdit magazine, Meester delved into the challenges she faced during those years, acknowledging the excitement of the experience but expressing concerns about the less-than-ideal work environment. She described her demanding schedule, stating, "I arrived at five in the morning and left at eight at night. Many days I didn't even see the sun."
Meester admitted that she was unprepared for the sudden global fame that accompanied her role: "I was young when I started 'Gossip Girl.' Suddenly there were a lot of people around me, analyzing me."
Reflecting on that time, she emphasized the difficulty of distinguishing between genuine kindness and judgment, particularly for typical 20 or 21-year-old behavior played out in the public eye. While she doesn't feel haunted by that period, she acknowledged, "It's interesting to look at it now that I'm an adult and think that maybe it wasn't the healthiest environment."
Despite the challenges, Meester found solace in the relationships she formed: "I had to think quickly, and I did not have a completely mature mind to differentiate what was fiction and what was not, who I could trust and who I couldn't. Still, I was very lucky and met very good people."
Meester, though too young for the intense experience, emphasized that she wouldn't trade it for anything. She views it as a time capsule, acknowledging the frequent questions about her nostalgia for the show but likening it to reflecting on high school. She expressed no desire to revisit that period, stating, "No, I don't want to go back. I was a girl!"
Currently, the actress is immersed in 'Single Parents,' a project that stands in stark contrast to her 'Gossip Girl' character.
