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Metro
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Leighton Meester opens up about Michelle Trachtenberg's death for first time
Leighton Meester has spoken out over Gossip Girl co-star Michelle Trachtenberg's death for the first time. The 39-year-old died at the end of February, after being found 'unconscious and unresponsive' by police in New York. Her official cause of death was revealed last month as complications from diabetes mellitus. Following the tragic news, many of the late actress' colleagues and close friends shared tributes on social media, including Buffy the Vampire Slayer's Sarah Michelle Gellar and Gossip Girl's Blake Lively and Ed Westwick. In a new interview, Meester – who played Blair Waldorf opposite Trachtenberg's Georgia Sparks – described the loss as 'devastating'. 'It's devastating,' she told Flaunt Magazine. 'She was a wonderful, talented person, and everyone loved her. It's very, very sad for everyone who knew her. '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.' Gossip Girl originally ran for six seasons between 2007 and 2012, with Penn Badgley, Chace Crawford, Taylor Momsen, Kelly Rutherford, Matthew Settle and Jessica Szohr also in the cast. Trachtenberg became a firm fan favorite thanks to her role of a young socialite, who would regularly stir up trouble for her pals. Unpacking the role in a 2009 interview, the late star revealed how much fun she had stepping into Georgina's villainous heels. 'It's kind of easy to be evil when you're saying evil things,' she told Seventeen Magazine. 'It's definitely a lot more fun than playing the good girl. I love the reaction you get. 'I never understood why some actors don't want to play villains or evil characters.' Trachtenberg's Gossip Girl colleagues were among the first to publicly pay tribute after her death earlier this year. 'Everything she did, she did 200%,' Lively posted on Instagram. '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. '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. More Trending '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.' 'So sad to hear of the passing of @MichelleTrachtenberg. Sending prayers,' Westwick said on his own page. Crawford added: 'Michelle was one of a kind. I remember 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.' Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Bebe Rexha reveals pregnancy loss after Met Gala body shaming MORE: Boardwalk Empire actor arrested for 'attack with a cement block and sexual assault' MORE: Smokey Robinson, 85, accused of assault and sexual battery in bombshell £40,000,000 lawsuit
New York Post
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Leighton Meester breaks her silence on ‘Gossip Girl' costar Michelle Trachtenberg's death
Leighton Meester is opening up about her former 'Gossip Girl' costar's shocking death. The actress, 39, shared that the news of Michelle Trachtenberg's death hit her particularly hard because they were the same age. 'It's devastating,' Meester revealed to Flaunt Magazine. 'She was a wonderful, talented person, and everyone loved her. It's very, very sad for everyone who knew her.' 6 Michelle Trachtenberg and Leighton Meester attend the grand opening celebration at American Eagle Outfitters, Times Square on November 17, 2009 in New York City. Getty Images The 'Good Cop/Bad Cop' star also reflected on the hit CW drama airing for six seasons from 2007 to 2012. '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,' Meester told the outlet. On the series, the 'That's My Boy' actress played Blair Waldorf while the 'Harriet the Spy' alum starred as Georgina Sparks. 6 Leighton Meester (L) and Michelle Trachtenberg attend the 'You Know You Want It' publication celebration. Getty Images Penn Badgley, who portrayed Dan Humphrey, broke his silence on Trachtenberg's death, telling E! News in April that her passing was 'really surreal, really saddening.' 'What I remember of her is she was incredibly quick to laugh,' the actor, 38, added. 'She was really joyous.' Although they hadn't crossed paths in over 10 years, Badgley said Trachtenberg had a 'really pure heart.' 6 Michelle Trachtenberg, Leighton Meester and Minka Kelly attend the dinner for the NYLON celebration. Dimitrios Kambouris Blake Lively (Serena van der Woodsen), meanwhile, reminisced on Trachtenberg's 'electricity' on social media. 'You knew when she entered a room because the vibration changed,' the 'A Simple Favor' star wrote on her Instagram Stories in February. 'She laughed the fullest at someone's joked, 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.' Lively, 37, noted she'll remember how the late star 'always had yummy caramel smelling lipgloss on.' 6 Blake Lively, and Michelle Trachtenberg on 'Gossip Girl.' ©CW Network/Courtesy Everett Col 'Because she didn't just want to sparkle on camera,' she continued, 'she liked creating a nice experience for anyone who was in her orbit, even down to the subtle smell of her lipgloss because she cared about the sweet details.' Trachtenberg died due to complications from diabetes at age 39. She was found by her mother on Feb. 26 in her Central Park South apartment and had previously undergone a liver transplant in the last year. 'It is with great sadness [we] confirm that Michelle Trachtenberg has passed away,' Trachtenberg's rep Gary Mantoosh confirmed in a statement to The Post. 'The family requests privacy for their loss. There are no further details at this time.' 6 Leighton Meester and Michelle Trachtenberg on 'Gossip Girl.' ©CW Network/Courtesy Everett Collection Sources initially speculated that the transplant might have played a part in her passing. The NYPD confirmed Trachtenberg was found 'unconscious and unresponsive' by police and pronounced dead by EMS workers. They responded to the building after a 911 call reporting a woman in cardiac arrest. In the months before her death, fans were concerned that Trachtenberg appeared gaunt in her social media pictures. But, last January, she responded to fan concerns, sharing she was 'happy and healthy' and had never had plastic surgery. 6 Michelle Trachtenberg. Instagram/michelletrachtenberg Many other fans and former co-stars took to social media to share their condolences over the heartbreaking death, including another 'Gossip Girl' vet, Ed Westwick. 'So sad to hear of the passing of @michelletrachtenberg,' the 37-year-old wrote on his Instagram Story alongside a snap of the late actress on the series.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Leighton Meester remembers 'wonderful' Michelle Trachtenberg in heartfelt tribute
Leighton Meester remains "devastated" over the death of her Gossip Girl co-star Michelle Trachtenberg. The actress passed away in February at the age of 39, several months after she underwent a liver transplant. Authorities reported Trachtenberg died from complications of diabetes, which can be a side effect of organ transplantation. In an interview for Flaunt magazine published on Tuesday, Meester acknowledged the sudden loss of Trachtenberg, who played Georgina Sparks, for the first time. "It's devastating," she stated. "She was a wonderful, talented person, and everyone loved her. It's very, very sad for everyone who knew her." ADVERTISEMENT Meester, who portrayed Blair Waldorf on the popular series from 2007 to 2012, went on to reflect on the impact Gossip Girl continues to have on popular culture. "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," the 39-year-old mused. Last month, Penn Badgley also paid tribute to Trachtenberg. Admitting he hadn't stayed in touch with the Buffy the Vampire Slayer star after filming wrapped on Gossip Girl, the actor described her as someone with a "pure heart". "I can't claim to have known her well, but yeah, really surreal, really saddening," he commented to E! News. Meester is currently promoting her new comedy drama, Good Cop/Bad Cop.
