Latest news with #Flaunt
Daily Mirror
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Gossip Girl's Leighton Meester's heartbreaking tribute to Michelle Trachtenberg
Gossip Girl star Leighton Meester has paid tribute to Michelle Trachtenberg, who worked alongside her on the TV show, following the news of her death earlier this year Actor Leighton Meester has paid tribute to her Gossip Girl co-star Michelle Trachtenberg. She spoke about her former colleague in a newly-released interview in which she also addressed the "devastating" news of her death. It was announced in February that Michelle had died, aged 39. It was later confirmed that her death had been a result of "complications of diabetes mellitus," though it's likely that the cause and manner of her death will be listed as "undetermined" on her death certificate due to her family objecting to an autopsy on religious grounds. Two months on, Michelle's former co-star Leighton, 39, has spoken about the loss in an interview with Flaunt. Michelle, whose other credits include Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Leighton worked together on Gossip Girl, with them having played Georgina Sparks and Blair Waldorf, respectively, on the CW show, which ran for six seasons from 2007 to 2012. Speaking about her co-star's death, Leighton told the outlet: "It's devastating." Paying tribute to Michelle, she continued: "She was a wonderful, talented person, and everyone loved her. It's very, very sad for everyone who knew her." Leighton went on to suggest that she now realises that the beloved show's legacy continues. She told the magazine that she now sees that the legacy lives on "in some way even more so than back then," which she finds "incredible." And she isn't the only former cast member to have paid tribute to Michelle following the news of her death. Earlier this year, Blake Lively, 37, who played Serena van der Woodsen, wrote about her late co-star in a post on Instagram. Blake wrote: "Everything she did, she did 200%. She laughed the fullest at someone's joke, she faced authority head on when she felt something was wrong, she cared deeply about her work, she was proud to be a part of this community and industry as painful as it could be sometimes, she was fiercely loyal to her friends and brave for those she loved, she was big and bold and distinctly herself." She continued: "Time passes. You take for granted that you get the chance to see an old friend. To paraphrase, the real tragedies in life are the ones that blindside you on an idle Tuesday. Hold those you love and have loved dear." Blake concluded her post by writing: "The world lost a deeply sensitive and good person in Michelle. May her work and her huge heart be remembered by those who were lucky enough to experience her fire." Chace Crawford, 39 - who played Nate Archibald - was among the other Gossip Girl stars who paid tribute at the time too. He reflected on working with Michelle alongside photos of them together from over the years. He wrote in the caption of his post: "Michelle was one of a kind. I rememeber her coming on set for the first time and just absolutely owning it. She was a force of nature and just so so unapologetically funny and magnetic. Remembering those years with a big smile. Just a terrible loss. Love you." Michelle's death had been confirmed by a representative. They said at the time: "It is with great sadness to confirm that Michelle has passed away. The family requests privacy for their loss. There are no further details at this time."
USA Today
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
'Gossip Girl' star Leighton Meester reflects on Michelle Trachtenberg's 'devastating' death
'Gossip Girl' star Leighton Meester reflects on Michelle Trachtenberg's 'devastating' death Show Caption Hide Caption 'Gossip Girl' actress Michelle Trachtenberg dead at 39 Actress Michelle Trachtenberg, known for her role in "Gossip Girl," was found dead in a New York City luxury apartment building by the NYPD. She was 39. Leighton Meester is opening up about the death of her former costar Michelle Trachtenberg. The "Gossip Girl" alum said in an interview with Flaunt she was hit hard by news that Trachtenberg, with whom she worked on the CW series, had died in February at age 39. "It's devastating," Meester told the outlet. "She was a wonderful, talented person, and everyone loved her. It's very, very sad for everyone who knew her." Meester, 39, starred as Blair Waldorf on "Gossip Girl," while Trachtenberg had a recurring role on the show as fan favorite Georgina Sparks. Trachtenberg, who began her career as a child actor and was also known for her roles in films like "Harriet the Spy" and shows like "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," died from complications of diabetes mellitus, according to the New York City's Office of Chief Medical Examiner. She was found unconscious and unresponsive in a New York apartment building on Feb. 26, the New York Police Department previously confirmed to USA TODAY. 'Gossip Girl' star Michelle Trachtenberg died from diabetes complications "Gossip Girl" star Blake Lively paid tribute to Trachtenberg in February, recalling in an emotional Instagram post that "you knew when she entered a room because the vibration changed." "She laughed the fullest at someone's joke, she faced authority head on when she felt something was wrong, she cared deeply about her work, she was proud to be a part of this community and industry as painful as it could be sometimes," Lively wrote. "She was fiercely loyal to her friends and brave for those she loved, she was big and bold and distinctly herself." Blake Lively mourns 'Gossip Girl' co-star Michelle Trachtenberg: 'She was electricity' Speaking with USA TODAY, "Gossip Girl" star Penn Badgley similarly remembered Trachtenberg's laugh, reflecting, "She had, in the best way, a childlike joy and spirit to her. She clearly loved to laugh, and she was so quick to laughter." In one on her final credits, Trachtenberg reprised Georgina Sparks on the reboot of "Gossip Girl" that debuted on Max in 2021 and ran for two seasons. Meester did not return for the reboot but is set to reunite with Kristen Bell, who served as narrator of "Gossip Girl," in the second season of "Nobody Wants This," which is expected to air on Netflix in 2025. The pair reunited at the Screen Actors Guild Awards in February for a comedy bit where Meester provided Bell "gossip" to read, which was just about the kind of food the nominees like to eat. Bell quipped that the "popes in 'Conclave' were better at gossiping than us" before introducing the film about selecting a pope as "Gossip Girl 2.0." Contributing: KiMi Robinson
Perth Now
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Leighton Meester 'devastated' by former Gossip Girl co-star Michelle Trachtenberg's death
Leighton Meester has paid tribute to her former 'Gossip Girl' co-star Michelle Trachtenberg, admitting her death was "devastating". The 39-year-old actress - who portrayed Blair Waldorf in the CW teen drama series - has remembered Michelle, who portrayed troublesome schemer Georgina Sparks in the show, as a "wonderful, talented person" who "everyone loved". Speaking to Flaunt magazine about Michelle's tragic passing, she said: "It's devastating. "She was a wonderful, talented person, and everyone loved her. "It's very, very sad for everyone who knew her." Following Michelle's death, Leighton saw just how powerful the show's legacy is. While 'Gossip Girl' hasn't been on air since 2012, Leighton still feels "the same in many ways" as she did during her heyday on the programme. She added: "Now, I can see that [the show's legacy] continues - in some ways, even more so than back then - to live on, which is incredible." Michelle's official cause of death was revealed as complications of diabetes mellitus. Last month, a spokesperson for the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner told PEOPLE: "The amended determination was made following review of toxicology testing results. "Toxicology testing can be done without autopsy." Michelle's 'Gossip Girl' co-star Penn Badgley recently admitted he found her death "surreal". He told E! News: 'I can't claim to have known her well but it's surreal. Really surreal, really saddening. 'What I remember of her is she was incredibly quick to laugh. She was really joyous. We all have our ups and downs, our lights and shadows, but she had this - I mean, she was mature, but she had this childlike, joyous laugh.' What's more, former 'Gossip Girl' star Taylor Momsen said the tragic news had left her "heart on the floor". She wrote on Instagram: "In shock... When I met this girl 17 years ago I knew we'd be friends.. she was smart and sassy, bold and sensitive, funny as f*** and filled with fire. She was simply awesome. "I'll miss our late night calls that no one should ever hear but us. She was always in my corner and there to support me whether I was right or wrong. "I will miss you everyday my love.. I think we truly understood each other and I am so grateful to have had a friend like you in my life for so long.. (sic)"
