Despite their on-screen portrayal as best friends on “Gossip Girl,” Blake Lively and Leighton Meester didn’t share the same level of closeness off-screen. Below, we delve into the details of their real-life friendship.

The characters portrayed by Blake Lively and Leighton Meester in “Gossip Girl” were depicted as best friends, but their relationship off-screen was more complicated. Jealousy and competition were significant themes for their characters, Serena van der Woodsen and Blair Waldorf, respectively, given their affluent lifestyles in the Upper East Side.

Speculation about their real-life friendship arose, fueled by rumors suggesting discord between them. Reports circulated alleging that Blake and Leighton avoided each other and had a strained relationship. Additionally, there were whispers of jealousy and resentment, including rumors that Blake felt overshadowed by Leighton’s higher wardrobe budget.

Josh Safran, a writer on the show, shed light on their dynamic during a 2017 interview with Vanity Fair, revealing that while they were not close friends, they maintained a professional and amicable relationship on set. He attributed their differences in personality as a reason for their lack of off-screen friendship, with Blake being more outgoing and engaged in contemporary topics, while Leighton was more reserved and introspective.

Both Blake and Leighton denied rumors of animosity when questioned during interviews, emphasizing the tendency to sensationalize conflicts among wome𝚗 in the industry. Their co-stars, including Chace Crawford and Michelle Trachtenberg, echoed similar sentiments, dismissing rumors of feuds and emphasizing a harmonious atmosphere on set.

Makeup artist Amy Tagliamonti supported this perspective, emphasizing the focus on work and professionalism behind the scenes. Blake admitted that the intense scrutiny and loss of anonymity associated with the show made her initially hesitant to accept her role in “Gossip Girl.”

Ultimately, while their on-screen chemistry may have led viewers to believe in a close friendship, the reality was more nuanced, with Blake and Leighton maintaining a respectful but distant relationship off-screen.