Movies

Leighton Meester is more than the internet’s boyfriend’s wife

BBG News

A couple of months ago, when Adam Brody was dubbed the internet’s romantic interest, it caused some unusual behavior among those close to Leighton Meester.

Absolutely, long before fans became enamored with Brody playing a popular rabbi in “Nobody Wants This,” both he and Meester were already etched into the pop culture pantheon as icons of teen dramas. She was known as Blair Waldorf on “Gossip Girl.” He was recognized as Seth Cohen on “The O.C.” It was heartwarming to learn that actors from two cherished mid-2000s series had found love in reality.

However, when the married pair, who tied the knot in 2014, graced the Golden Globes red carpet in January, there seemed to be a sense of unease. The reporters couldn’t help but shower Brody with praise during interviews, creating an awkward situation that required him to intervene and ease the tension.

“Your date is the Hot Rabbi,” an “Entertainment Tonight” host gushed to Meester.

“And she’s my real shiksa goddess,” Brody duly pointed out.

Standing on the “Access Hollywood” stage, I found myself in an unusual situation when one interviewer reached out to touch my face, asking if my real-life spouse shared the same intimate kisses with me that his on-screen character did with his co-star on the latest Netflix production.

Indeed, I learned from her,” I added. “You see, she has access to premium knowledge; it’s not just the top-tier resources.

That evening, TikTok users focused closely on their TV screens, sharing videos emphasizing the unusual attention being given to Meester. Remember, we’re dealing with none other than the Queen B here. Let’s show a bit of reverence.

But Meester herself swears she didn’t even clock the gushy line of questioning.

Indeed, I can’t recall that,” the individual asserts. “I acknowledge they’re simply doing their duties. I believe, in essence, they aim to be kind, helpful, and cheer us on.

Instead of coming across as overly optimistic or politically correct, Meester’s response might appear this way to some, perhaps due to her carefulness not to offend those who contribute to her and her spouse’s careers. However, it is undeniable that Meester genuinely embodies this relaxed demeanor. This contrasts somewhat with the calculating, high-spirited character she played so convincingly in the role that catapulted her to fame.

However, it’s clear now that those hints were present all along. Since the end of “Gossip Girl” 13 years ago, many photographs of her have been taken while she was surfing. She seems more focused on sun protection, wearing a bucket hat and full-body wetsuit, than her looks. Meanwhile, Meester and her husband, who is now 45, have consistently found work, often in independent films or as secondary characters in bigger productions. For instance, Meester has played a rural sweetheart opposite Gwyneth Paltrow in the musical romance “Country Strong,” had a stint on the short-lived spinoff of “How I Met Your Mother,” and co-starred in a sitcom created by Elizabeth Meriwether that didn’t survive during the COVID-19 pandemic.

To put it simply, she doesn’t have strict preferences when it comes to the roles she takes up. Her recent role is in the humorous police investigation series titled “Good Cop/Bad Cop,” which will be available for streaming on Amazon Prime this month. The show has been airing on The CW since February and, although it has received positive reviews, it hasn’t generated much buzz yet.

Australian actor Luke Cook, one of the siblings in the detective duo on the show, believes a significant part of its success is due to it being jointly produced by a streaming service based in his home country.

According to Cook, Australia has a marketing budget for the product launch, while the U.S. doesn’t seem to have one. He shared that his family members and friends in the U.S. are sending him pictures of posters promoting the show everywhere, but here in Australia, there’s no physical evidence of its availability other than on social media.

If anyone’s wondering if Meester feels even a hint of disappointment about the show’s domestic response, well, she’s got me beat when it comes to keeping a lid on her feelings!

She expresses her immense satisfaction with the show, adding that she fervently hopes viewers will find pleasure in watching it since it brings her great joy.

It’s February, roughly a week since the premiere on The CW, and Meester is found in a booth at Casablanca, a restaurant with a dim, slightly divey atmosphere that showcases memorabilia from the 1942 movie. She’s already enjoying a mezcal margarita when I arrive, offering suggestions for the enchiladas or ceviche from the menu. She frequents this place often, as her children, aged 9 and 4, occasionally ask to stop by after school. However, she is unaware of the connection between the restaurant’s name and the Humphrey Bogart-Ingrid Bergman film.

We ask the waiter.

“You know, like the movie,” he says, dropping a basket of chips on the table and walking away.

Given that Meester and her family have recently experienced the loss of their home in the Palisades fire, it’s understandable that they are drawn to what is comfortable at this moment.

She’s still searching for the appropriate phrases to convey the feeling of loss. Overwhelming is definitely the word that comes to mind initially. Then she moves on to express how difficult it all is. Yet, in contrast, she finds herself reflecting on her good fortune in life, realizing that she hasn’t encountered many major obstacles. The fire incident seemed to thrust a new perspective upon her unwillingly, yet now she surprisingly feels thankful.

She expresses, “I find immense joy in loving something or someone so deeply that the thought of losing it brings unbearable pain. Yet, I wouldn’t have loved it any less. That’s why I believe I’m here.”

She further adds, “I don’t wish to experience sadness in loving another human, thinking they might leave me or pass away tomorrow. That’s the harsh reality of life. But it’s also the beauty and goodness of each day, and most days, I am grateful to say, are quite wonderful.

Over the past few days, there’s been a notable shift in circumstances. The fires broke out approximately 36 hours following the Golden Globes event. Soon after, production for the second season of “Nobody Wants This” commenced, which required Brody to frequently travel from their newly rented house on the Westside to the filming location.

At Casablanca, Meester has recently arrived following a table read for an upcoming Netflix romantic comedy where she’ll film a cameo in a couple of weeks. She mentioned that her scenes are primarily with characters portrayed by Kristen Bell and Justine Lupe, rather than her on-screen husband. However, they have collaborated before, approximately the seventh time – their latest work being “Good Cop/Bad Cop.

During instances when the camera wasn’t focused on Leighton and we were capturing Adam instead, John Quaintance, the show’s creator, remembers saying something like, “Leighton, you’re not acting. You’re genuinely smiling at Adam,” he recalls. Their mutual support for each other is both touching and a bit overly affectionate.

Although they’ve never portrayed an on-screen couple before, Meester expressed her openness to the idea. “I enjoy spending time with him and collaborating with him,” she said, her eyes softening in a way reminiscent of how she looked watching Brody accept the actor in a comedy series award at the Critics Choice Awards in early February. (His heartwarming speech ended with this touching sentiment: “And my precious, precious, precious wife, Leighton. Thank you. Thank you for sharing this life and this journey with me. Thank you for our family. I love you with all my heart.”)

Those who’ve worked with Meester would love for her to have her own renewed moment in the sun.

Quaintance remarks, “I believe many people haven’t fully appreciated how brilliant she is in comedy. Her breakout role might have set certain expectations, making people think they would see her on a primetime soap opera. However, I believe the true Leighton is far more entertaining than that.

Actress Leighton Meester acknowledges that her character on “Gossip Girl,” Blair Waldorf, bears only a modest resemblance to herself. While Meester prefers to avoid headbands, there’s a certain truth in the old saying about ducks – calm and composed on the water’s surface, paddling furiously beneath. Similarly, Meester and her character, Blair Waldorf, may appear different at first glance, but they share a common trait: both are driven individuals; Blair Waldorf is simply more forthright in expressing her ambition.

Growing up, Meester participated in community theater in Marco Island, Florida. Since there was only one stage available, a church, it served as a multi-purpose venue for Girl Scout gatherings, potluck meals, and local performances. In the 5th grade, she landed a role in a play and spent her afternoons at rehearsals. Her passion for acting was so strong that she persuaded her mother to allow her to attend an acting and modeling convention in Georgia. After showcasing an improvised commercial to several talent agents, one encouraged her to spend the summer in New York to test her skills in professional auditions.

At 11 years old, she along with her mother moved to the city. There, she joined junior high at Manhattan’s Professional Children’s School and swiftly secured a role in “Law & Order.” She had the opportunity to act alongside Jerry Orbach and Benjamin Bratt, and the costume director admired her juice-stained shirt so much that she was instructed to wear it during her scene.

During high school, she resided in L.A., but later moved back to New York City for the “Gossip Girl” series. This show aired from 2007 to 2012, coinciding with her twenties, and it remains a time she holds dear. “I feel so connected to that person, almost more than any other period in my life,” she expresses. “I feel very attuned to her, and I empathize with her.

Certainly, there’s been plenty of talk and conjecture regarding the tumultuous times on the “Gossip Girl” set, especially among the young, attractive cast members who suddenly found fame. In January, following Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni’s high-profile legal disagreement, old videos featuring Leighton Meester and Blake Lively resurfaced online. It’s long been whispered that these two weren’t on good terms, and old interviews seem to suggest frosty exchanges between them. When asked about being linked to the Lively controversy, Meester avoids commenting directly.

“Oh, I — I don’t want to talk about any of that,” she says.

Currently, she’s striving to minimize stress in her life as much as possible. This summer, she plans to remain in L.A., primarily due to work commitments; she has secured a recurring role on HBO’s upcoming “Untitled Rachel Sennott Project.” However, she’s uncertain about the details of the coming months. After the recent fires, she prefers not to make extensive plans for the future. Her children aid in this by keeping her occupied with their current interest: Stick Nation, a niche group on TikTok who share videos of unusual sticks they’ve discovered in nature.

Meester remarks, “When my son spots a unique stick, he’ll ask if he can keep it, finding it special. To witness such a perspective is quite remarkable.” He continues, “I strive to share these moments with them and appreciate them. Initially, I intended to say cherishing the joy of each moment, but at times, even the hardships. It may seem peculiar, but I’ve been genuinely relishing this period.

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2025-05-01 13:31

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