They were the absolute faces of an era. If you grew up in the late 2000s, you didn't just watch Gossip Girl—you lived through it. You were either a Serena or a Blair. You chose sides between the blonde, effortless "It Girl" and the calculating, headband-wearing brunette queen. But for years, the question has persisted like a lingering hangover: what was actually going on between Leighton Meester and Blake Lively when the cameras stopped rolling?
People wanted them to be best friends. Honestly, the world practically demanded it. We wanted to believe they were grabbing martinis at the Palace Hotel after a long day of filming on the steps of the Met.
The reality? It's way more complicated than a simple "feud," and it tells us a lot about how Hollywood treats women.
The "Avoid Each Other Like the Plague" Rumors
Back in 2008, a report from New York Magazine sent shockwaves through the fandom. It claimed that the two lead actresses "avoided each other like the plague" on set. The narrative was instant. Tabloids painted a picture of a toxic workspace where the cast had to choose sides like they were in a high school cafeteria.
Was it true? Sorta.
Executive producer Joshua Safran eventually cleared the air, though his explanation wasn't exactly the "we're sisters" story fans craved. He admitted they weren't friends. Plain and simple. "Blake and Leighton were not friends," Safran told Vanity Fair. "They were friendly, but they were not friends like Serena and Blair."
He described two completely different humans. Blake was the social butterfly, always in the know about the newest restaurants or bands. Leighton was the quiet one, often found wandering the stage in a massive couture gown with a book in her hand. She was "removed."
It wasn't that they hated each other. They just didn't have anything in common.
Different Worlds, Different Goals
Looking back from 2026, the contrast in their career paths makes total sense.
- Blake Lively leaned into the "lifestyle" of being a celebrity. She built a massive brand, married Ryan Reynolds, and became a staple of the Met Gala. Her recent headlines have been... let's say, intense. Between the 2024-2025 drama surrounding It Ends With Us and the subsequent legal battles with Justin Baldoni set for trial in May 2026, she’s rarely out of the news.
- Leighton Meester went the opposite way. She chose privacy. She married Adam Brody (the ultimate crossover for teen drama fans), had kids, and focused on indie music and character-driven TV.
The Sexism of the "Feud" Narrative
We have to talk about how weird it is that we always assume two female leads must be fighting if they aren't inseparable. You never see these headlines about the guys from Supernatural or Succession.
Leighton herself called this out years ago, labeling the constant "catfight" rumors as sexist. And she was right. Being professional coworkers doesn't mean you’re "feuding." If you work in an office, you probably have a colleague you respect but wouldn't necessarily invite to your birthday party. That was basically the vibe between Leighton Meester and Blake Lively.
However, there were specific moments that fueled the fire. Like that weirdly tense resurfaced clip where Blake joked about Leighton being "born in a cage" (a reference to Leighton’s mother giving birth to her while in federal prison). It was meant to be a joke, but it landed with a thud. Fans still point to that as evidence of a deeper rift.
Where Are They Now? (The 2026 Update)
If you’re looking for a 2026 reunion, don't hold your breath. While the One Tree Hill cast is out here having massive reunions every other weekend, the Gossip Girl set remains fractured.
Leighton recently did an interview where she listed the costars she still talks to. Spoiler: Blake wasn't on the list. In fact, most of the original cast doesn't follow Blake on Instagram. Chace Crawford is one of the few who still does.
The Meester Renaissance
Interestingly, public opinion has shifted heavily toward "Team Leighton" lately. While Blake has dealt with a "mean girl" PR crisis following her It Ends With Us press tour, Leighton has quietly become the internet's favorite.
Her 2025 was huge. She stole scenes in I Love LA on HBO and made a viral cameo on her husband’s show, Nobody Wants This. She’s also teasing a return to music, which is the first new material we've heard from her since the Heartstrings era. People love her because she feels "real" and drama-free.
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The Lively Legal Saga
Blake, meanwhile, is in the middle of a massive legal and professional pivot. Her lawsuit against Baldoni and his associates is the talk of the industry. She’s still a powerhouse, but the "perfect" image she maintained for a decade has some cracks in it. She’s currently filming Another Simple Favor, which might be exactly what she needs to win back the "cool girl" crowd.
The Actionable Truth for Fans
So, what do we do with this info? It’s time to retire the "best friend" fantasy.
If you want to support these women for who they actually are rather than the characters they played, here is the move:
- Watch Leighton for the craft: Check out her performance in The Buccaneers Season 2 on Apple TV+. It’s some of her best work, proving she’s way more than just Blair Waldorf.
- Follow the music: Keep an eye on Leighton’s Spotify. Her indie-folk sound is genuinely good and deserves the "renaissance" it's having.
- Wait for the facts on Blake: Instead of joining the TikTok "cancel" dogpile, wait for the May 2026 trial details regarding the It Ends With Us set. The truth usually lies somewhere in the middle of two competing PR teams.
The bond between Serena and Blair was iconic because it was messy, toxic, and deeply loyal. The relationship between Leighton Meester and Blake Lively was just... a job. And that’s okay. They gave us six years of legendary television, and they don't owe us a real-life friendship on top of it.