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These Are All Of Your Favorite ‘Gossip Girl’ Stars, Then And Now

Some are still acting; some went totally off the grid.

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new york city, ny   september 18 l r leighton meester, penn badgley, blake lively, taylor momsen, chace crawford, ed westwick and gossip girl cast attend the cw network premieres gossip girl at tenjune on september 18, 2007 in new york city photo by clint spauldingpatrick mcmullan via getty images
Patrick McMullan//Getty Images

Gossip Girl is one of the most iconic TV shows, well, ever. Between the fabulous clothes and those gorgeous statement headbands, GG had a cast full of style icons that defined an entire generation’s closets. Upper East Side glamour never knew what hit it! Whether you’re a Blair or a Serena, the show had all the drama, mystery, and messy relationships that made it so fun to watch and re-watch.

It was heartbreaking when GG decided to call it quits after six unforgettable, binge-watchable seasons. It's been a while since the last blast, so you might be wondering what happened to the original cast?

Blake Lively, Leighton Meester, and all the rest of your faves are flourishing, in case you’re curious! Even though they aren’t filming for the series anymore, some GG celebs have been making major moves. They’re starring in new shows and movies, starting families, performing on Broadway, modeling, and recording music–just to name a few. (I spotted them all.)

Others have kept a lower profile and are enjoying some well-deserved relaxation after achieving stardom. You’ve seen many of them in your favorite new series, even if you haven’t realized it (hair dye can really change someone’s look!) and many of them have exciting new projects coming up so soon.

With the highly anticipated and equally stylish Gossip Girl reboot coming back for season 2 so soon, now is the perfect time to check in on your favorite actors and actresses from the original series. Keep reading for allll the details about the Gossip Girl celebs, then and now. XOXO.

1

Then: Blake Lively

beverly hills, ca   december 03  actress blake lively arrives at the 11th annual help group teddy bear ball at the beverly hilton in beverly hills, california on december 3, 2007  photo by lrrb and cowireimage
Getty Images

We all know Blake Lively from her late 2000s roles as the beautiful, ~mysterious~, Serena van der Woodsen in Gossip Girl. (And, TBH, in the movie Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.) She pretty much became a fashion icon from her character on the show, acting as the manifestation of the well-dressed blonde bombshell we know and love.

2

Now: Blake Lively

celebrity sightings in new york city february 12, 2020
Robert Kamau//Getty Images

Lively met her now-husband Ryan Reynolds on the set of Green Lantern in 2011. Since then, the couple have gotten married and had three daughters, all while both of them continue to kill it on the big screen. (Um, you know, like in The Age of Adaline, A Simple Favor, and The Rhythm Section?)

Next, Blake will star as Josie Schuller in Lady Killer, a film about a housewife who moonlights as a killer for hire. Sign me up!

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3

Then: Leighton Meester

new york   november 26  leighton meester on location for gossip girl  on november 26, 2007 in new york city, new york photo by james devaneywireimage
James Devaney//Getty Images

In Blair Waldorf we trust. After making a bunch of guest appearances on TV shows from a young age, Leighton Meester got her big break starring as culture, style, and romance icon Blair Waldorf. She also had a hit with the single "Good Girls Gone Bad" and movies such as Monte Carlo, The Roommate, Country Strong, and tons more.

4

Now: Leighton Meester

hollywood, california   september 24 leighton meester arrives at the premiere of lionsgates semper fi at arclight hollywood on september 24, 2019 in hollywood, california photo by kevin wintergetty images
Kevin Winter//Getty Images

Don't worry, Leighton is still the woman you know and love. Since her GG days she's starred in a bunch of other TV shows like Making History and Single Parents, just to name a few. Oh, and she also starred in Of Mice and Men on Broadway and released her first solo album, Heartstrings. So she hasn't been busy, like, at all.

Bonus? She's also met and married the love of her life in fellow teen icon Adam Brody (hi Seth Cohen), and the couple have two children together.

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5

Then: Ed Westwick

ed westwick during the 2007 cw network upfront   arrivals at madison square garden in new york city, new york, united states photo by jason kempinfilmmagic
Jason Kempin//Getty Images

Do you ever really get tired of this man boldly stating: I'm Chuck Bass? Answer: No, never. Anyway, this guy got his start playing a role in the 2006 hit movie Children of Men, and then a year later starred as the conniving (and rich) mastermind Chuck Bass.

6

Now: Ed Westwick

16th annual oscar qualifying hollyshorts film festival
Michael Bezjian//Getty Images

Here's what's up with this leading man in 2021: He's focused on producing while still dabbling in the acting scene every now and then. He most recently starred in the movie Me, You, Madness.

He's also got a new GF, a model named Tamara Francesconi, and yeah, they're really freakin' cute.

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7

Then: Penn Badgley

new york   october 08  actor penn badgley  visits fuses the sauce at fuse studios new york , october 8,2007  photo by jamie mccarthywireimage
Jamie McCarthy//Getty Images

Penn got his start by making guest appearances on tons of TV shows, and then he landed a role in the iconic 2000s film John Tucker Must Die and the rest was history. Shortly after, he landed the role of smitten-with-Serena, wannabe-writer, and stereotypical Brooklynite Dan Humphrey on GG.

8

Now: Penn Badgley

celebrity sightings in new york city january 9, 2020
James Devaney//Getty Images

ICYMI, Penn is still a major freakin' deal. Ever heard of the Netflix show You? Yeah, that main character and serial-killer guy? That's him. He's starred in tons of other hit movies, too, like Easy A and his most recent flick, Here Today. In other news, he also married singer Domino Kirke in 2017, and they now have one child together. Awww.

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9

Then: Chace Crawford

chace crawford visits mtvs trl studios in new york city on december 17 2007 photo by theo wargowireimage
Theo Wargo//Getty Images

Swoon. Chace Crawford, aka the much-underestimated Nate Archibald, had the key to all of our hearts. While he made a few appearances in his early acting days, Gossip Girl was preeetty much his first time in any kind of spotlight.

10

Now: Chace Crawford

beverly hills, california   february 09 chace crawford attends the vanity fair oscar party at wallis annenberg center for the performing arts on february 09, 2020 in beverly hills, california photo by taylor hillfilmmagic,
Taylor Hill//Getty Images

Nowadays, Chace is still out there acting. He's starred in a bunch of different shows like Blood & Oil, Casual, and The Boys. (Yes, that was all of him on the infamous Boys poster.) He appeared in the 2020 thriller Inheritance alongside Lily Collins. You can spot him in the upcoming movie Riptide next.

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11

Then: Taylor Momsen

new york city, ny   september 18 taylor momsen attends the cw network premieres gossip girl at tenjune on september 18, 2007 in new york city photo by clint spauldingpatrick mcmullan via getty images
Patrick McMullan//Getty Images

Taylor Momsen started her acting career super young. Remember her in all your childhood faves? She appeared in Spy Kids 2, Underdog, Saving Shiloh, and, most notably, she was *the* Cindy Lou Who in How The Grinch Stole Christmas. Then, in 2007, the world came to know her as the unassuming drama-starter and aspiring designer Jenny Humphrey.

12

Now: Taylor Momsen

gossip girl stars then now
Instagram

Taylor's been focusing on her music ever since leaving Gossip Girl. She's the lead singer of the band The Pretty Reckless, and has been filming tons of songs for her followers during the pandemic.

The singer is also looking a lot more like her early little Humphrey character once again with blonde hair and natural makeup.

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13

Then: Jessica Szohr

new york city, ny   september 18 jessica szohr attends the cw network premieres gossip girl at tenjune on september 18, 2007 in new york city photo by clint spauldingpatrick mcmullan via getty images
Patrick McMullan//Getty Images

Jessica was making all kinds of television appearances before landing the role of Dan's intellectual, grounded BFF Vanessa Abrams on Gossip Girl. Fans couldn't help but love the no-B.S. energy she brought to the show (and TBH, the chemistry between her and Dan was real).

14

Now: Jessica Szohr

3rd annual mammoth film festival portrait studio saturday
Michael Bezjian//Getty Images

Jessica is dabbling in all kinds of TV series now that her GG days are over. You can find her starring and making appearances in shows like Shameless, The Orville, Twin Peaks, and more. And in January, she had her first baby with her partner, professional ice hockey player Brad Richardson! Adorbs.

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15

Then: Connor Paolo

new york city, ny   september 18 connor paolo attends the cw network premieres gossip girl at tenjune on september 18, 2007 in new york city photo by clint spauldingpatrick mcmullan via getty images
Patrick McMullan//Getty Images

Born in New York City, Connor trained to be an actor and performer all throughout high school. He landed tons of mini-gigs as guest stars on popular TV shows, but finally got the chance to be the troubled baby brother Eric van der Woodsen in 2007.

16

Now: Connor Paolo

los angeles, ca   december 03  connor paolo arrives at the beauty book for brain cancer edition two launch party sponsored by voices against brain cancer on december 3, 2015 in los angeles, california  photo by joshua blanchardgetty images for voices against brain cancer
Joshua Blanchard//Getty Images

After becoming ~kind of a big deal~ from his GG stint, Connor eventually left the show to focus on his role in another hit series, Revenge. Since then, he's still been working on his acting career, specifically when it comes to the TV biz.

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17

Then: Michelle Trachtenberg

beverly hills, ca   october 10 michelle trachtenberg attends monique lhuillier store opening   arrivals at monique lhuillier on october 10, 2007 in beverly hills, ca photo by brian lindensmithpatrick mcmullan via getty images
Patrick McMullan//Getty Images

Michelle Trachtenberg was the epitome of a child actress—she'd been appearing in commercials and TV shows since the age of three. You'll find her in big-time hits like Ice Princess, Harriet The Spy, 17 Again, Buffy The Vampire Slayer and, yes, as mean girl Georgina Sparks in Gossip Girl.

18

Now: Michelle Trachtenberg

west hollywood, california   february 09 michelle trachtenberg attends the 28th annual elton john aids foundation academy awards viewing party sponsored by imdb and neuro drinks on february 09, 2020 in west hollywood, california photo by rodin eckenrothwireimage
Rodin Eckenroth//Getty Images

Michelle has certainly kept herself busy since her Gossip Girl days. She's still doing all kinds of acting, including voice acting on shows like Robot Chicken and Human Kind Of. She's also appeared in a few episodes of some of your favorite shows, like Criminal Minds and Weeds.

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19

Then: Kristen Bell

las vegas   december 07  actress kristen bell arrives at spike tvs 5th annual video game awards held at mandalay bay events center on december 7, 2007 in las vegas, nevada  photo by michael tranfilmmagic
Michael Tran//Getty Images

You know the ominous-yet-soothing-AF voice of Gossip Girl that we never actually saw until the end of the series? Yep, Kristen Bell—an icon since her Veronica Mars days—was the Gossip Girl voiceover.

20

Now: Kristen Bell

new york, new york   february 21 actress kristen bell attends the build series to discuss her product line hello bello at build studio on february 21, 2020 in new york city photo by jim spellmangetty images
Jim Spellman//Getty Images

Kristen's work as a voiceover legend didn't stop at Gossip Girl. ICYMI, she's also played insanely successful characters in animated movies like Frozen! Not to mention she just wrapped up the final season of The Good Place, her super-popular series on NBC.

Now, Kristen is set to star in the upcoming film Queenpins. She'll reprise her original GG role by narrating the new Gossip Girl–what an icon. Get ready to hear all the tea straight from her.

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new york city, ny   september 18 l r leighton meester, penn badgley, blake lively, taylor momsen, chace crawford, ed westwick and gossip girl cast attend the cw network premieres gossip girl at tenjune on september 18, 2007 in new york city photo by clint spauldingpatrick mcmullan via getty images
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