Leighton Meester

Leighton Meester is an American actress, singer, and model. She’s best recognized for her iconic role as Blair Waldorf in Gossip Girl (2007–2012).

Some of her notable acting projects are including Killer Movie (2008), Country Strong (2010), The Roommate (2011), Monte Carlo (2011), The Oranges (2011), The Judge (2014) and The Weekend Away (2022).

Career

Leighton Meester started her entertainment career in her 11-years-old when she began working as a model with Wilhelmina Models, a modeling agency.

Later, this Aries actress successfully booked a campaign shoot for Ralph Lauren, a campaign shot by Bruce Weber.

She then became a model for Limited Too with the popular Hollywood actress, Amanda Seyfried.

In 1999, she debuted as an actress as Alyssa Turner for the NBC series, Law & Order, followed by her movie debut for Hangman’s Curse (2003).

Leighton got some recognition after appearing in Tarzan (2003), Entourage (2004), and Veronica Mars (2005).

In 2006, she then came back to the movies, Flourish and Inside, and also made a guest star appearance for the series Numbers and House.

She got her career breakthrough after portraying Blair Waldorf in the legendary socialite series, Gossip Girl, which started in 2007.

Leighton debuted as a singer after releasing Good Girls Go Bad, a song owned by Cobra Starship, in 2009, which later peaked at the 7th position for the Billboard Hot 100.

She then continued her singing career by releasing Somebody to Love (2009) and Your Love’s a Drug (2010).

In 2011, Leighton got another popularity by becoming a villain in a horror-thriller movie, The Roommate, which gave her various awards and nominations.

After that, she appeared in Life Partners (2014), The Judge (2014), and also Unity (2015).

In 2017, she came back to TV by starring in Making History, a comedy series created by Fox Channel.

Later, Leighton made other comebacks for Single Parents (2018), The Orville (2019), and also How I Met Your Father (2022).

Profile

Real Name: Leighton Marissa Meester
Stage Name: Leighton Meester
Nickname: Leighton
Birthday: April 9, 1986
Birthplace: Fort Worth, Texas, United States
Zodiac Sign: Aries
Nationality: American
Religion: –
Profession: Actress, Singer, Model
Education: Beverly Hills High School
Hobbies: Cooking, Surfing
Facebook: Leighton Meester Official
Twitter: @itsmeleighton
Instagram: @itsmeleighton
TikTok: –
YouTube: –

Height, Weight, & Physical Appearance

Height: 165 cm (5’5″)
Weight: 53 kg (117 lbs)
Blood Type: –
Hair Color: Blonde (dyed brown)
Eye Color: Dark brown
Body Measurements: 34-24-34 (Bust -34, Waist -24, and Hips -34 inches)
Shoe Size: 8 (US)
Dress Size: 7 (US)

Family

Father: Douglas Meester
Mother: Constance Meester
Brother: Lex Meester, Douglas Meester
Sister: –
Children: Arlo Day Brody

Husband, Boyfriend, & Dating History

Adam Brody

She is married to Adam, who’s an American actor and her co-star in The Oranges (2010). The couple met for the first time in filming siter in March 2010.

They became engaged in November 2013 and officially tied the knot in February 2014.

The pair welcomed their first baby daughter in August 2015, named Arlo. It was revealed that they’re expecting the second child in April 2020, who was born in September 2020 whose name is yet to be revealed.

Net Worth

According to multiple online sources, she’s accumulated around $16 million of net worth. She gained her income primarily from acting, in which she has starred in numerous films, television series, and even Broadway stages.

Acting

Media reported that she’s getting paid approximately $50 thousand per episode for starring in The CW’s popular series Gossip Girl.

Real Estate

Shortly after getting married to Adam Brody, the couple purchased a 3-acre property located in Malibu for $2.4 million.

The house was listed on market for $3.25 million in February 2020.

They purchased a 6,000 sq-ft house located in Pacific Palisades, LA, in December 2019 for $6.5 million.

Controversies

Being Sued in Lawsuit for Allegedly Breaching Contracts and Commiting Physical Abuse

She’s involved in a legal issue as her mother, Constance, filed lawsuits against her in which she sued back.

It started with her lawsuit against her mother, in which she claims that she used the money Leighton sent her for various cosmetic procedures such as hair extensions and botox.

Her mother made a counter claims via lawsuit, accusing her of breaching her contact and commiting physical abuse. According to her mother, she only sent $7,500 per month out of the $10 thousand she promised via a verbal contract.

Her mother claimed $3 million for damages against her in November 2011.

According to Leighton, she’s indeed willing to pay the medical expenses of her brother, but not at the amount of $10 thousand per month, citing that the claim is “ridiculous.”

She won the lawsuit in June 2012.

Facts

Leighton’s father works as a real estate broker.
Her mother is a writer.
During her birth time, her parents were in federal prison because of a drug ring, so she was taken care of by her grandparents.
Leighton said that despite her parents’ criminal past, it made her realize that she can’t judge anyone from their past because people always change.
Leighton grew up in Marco Island, Florida.
Her parents were divorced in 1992.
She moved to New York City when she was 11 years old with her mother and siblings.
She graduated a year earlier than normal after high school in a small private school.
Leighton is very active in charity.
She once became a spokesperson for a campaign of Sunsilk, Life Can’t Wait, in 2008 to motivate women to pursue their own dreams.
She once volunteered with Feeding America, a non-profit organization, started in 2017.
Leighton once got enlisted for the 100 Most Beautiful in 2008 by People’s magazine.
She also got the 48th rank for Maxim Magazine’s Hot 100 of 2008.
Leighton met her husband, Adam Brody, while she was filming The Oranges in 2010.
She married her husband in a private ceremony.
Leighton and her mother once filed lawsuits against each other for her financial support of her brother in 2011.
Her ideal type is…

Movies

The Weekend Away (2022), as Beth
Semper Fi (2019), as Clara
The North Winds Gift (2018), as the mother (short movie)
Unity (2015), as narrator (voice)
By the Gun (2014), as Ali Matazano
Like Sunday, Like Rain (2014), as Eleanor Logan
The Judge (2014), as Carla Powell
Life Partners (2014), as Sasha Weiss
That’s My Boy (2012), as Jamie Martin
The Oranges (2011), as Nina Ostroff
Monte Carlo (2011), as Meg Kelly
The Roommate (2011), as Rebecca Evans
Country Strong (2010), as Chiles Stanton
Going the Distance (2010), as Amy
Date Night (2010), as Katy
Killer Movie (2008), as Jaynie Hansen
Remember the Daze (2007), as Tori
Drive-Thru (2007), as Mackenzie Carpenter
Inside (2006), as Josie
Flourish (2006), as Lucy Covner
Hangman’s Curse (2003), as Elisha Springfield
The Jackalope (2003), as Lorraine

TV Movies

Zoolander: Super Model (Netflix | 2016), as herself
The Haunting of Sorority Row (Global | 2007), as Samantha “Sam” Willows

Drama Series

How I Met Your Father (Hulu | 2022), as Meredith
The Orville (Fox | 2019), as Laura Huggins
Single Parents (ABC | 2018-2020), as Angie D’Amato
The Last Man on Earth (Fox | 2018), as Zoe
Making History (Fox | 2017), as Deborah Revere
Gossip Girl (The CW | 2007-2012), as Blair Waldorf
Shark (CBS | 2007), as Megan
CSI: Miami (CBS | 2007), as Heather Crowley
Secrets of a Small Town (2006), as Kayla Rhodes / Kelly Rhodes
House (Fox | 2006), as Ali Johnson
Numbers (CBS | 2006), as Karen Camden
Monster Allergy (Rai 2 | 2006), as Poppy (voice)
Surface (NBC | 2005-2006), as Savannah Barnett
8 Simple Rules (ABC | 2005), as Nikki Alcott
Veronica Mars (UPN | 2005), as Carrie Bishop
24 (Fox | 2005), as Debbie Pendleton
Entourage (HBO | 2004-2008), as Justine Chapin
North Shore (Fox | 2004), as Veronica Farrell
7th Heaven (The WB | 2004), as Kendall
Crossing Jordan (NBC | 2004), as Marie Strand
The Big Wide World of Carl Laemke (2003), as Tanni Laemke
Tarzan (The WB | 2003), as Nicki Porter
Hollywood Division (2003), as Michelle Nichols
Family Affair (CBS | 2002), as Irene
Once and Again (ABC | 2002), as Amanda
Boston Public (Fox | 2001), as Sarah Breen
Law & Order (NBC | 1999), as Alyssa Turner

Singles

Heartstrings (2014)
Your Love’s a Drug (2011)
Somebody To Love (2009) – ft. Robin Thicke

TV Shows

The City (MTV | 2010), as herself

Music Video Appearances

Addicted to Love (2012) – Nomads ft. Vanessa Curry
Good Girls Go Bad (2009) – Cobra Starship ft. Leighton Meester

Awards

Hollywood Film Awards 2010 – Spotlight Award – Country Strong
Teen Choice Awards 2010 – Choice TV Actress: Drama – Gossip Girl
Teen Choice Awards 2009 – Choice TV Actress: Drama – Gossip Girl

Nominations

Broadway.com Audience Awards 2014 – Favorite Featured Actress in a Play – Of Mice and Men
Teen Choice Awards 2012 – Choice TV Actress: Drama – Gossip Girl
Teen Choice Awards 2012 – Choice Summer Movie Star: Female – That’s My Boy
Teen Choice Awards 2011 – Choice Movie: Villain – The Roommate
Teen Choice Awards 2011 – Choice Movie Actress: Drama – Country Strong
MTV Movie Awards 2011 – Best Villain – The Roommate
MTV Video Music Awards 2009 – Best Pop Video – Good Girls Go Bad
Teen Choice Awards 2008 – Choice TV Breakout Star: Female – Gossip Girl
Teen Choice Awards 2008 – Choice TV Actress: Drama – Gossip Girl

Quotes

“I look up to my mom. She’s a beautiful woman.”

“I’m so accustomed to being alone. Leighton Meester When I do get free time, I spend a lot of it at home with my family and my close friends and I think that’s what keeps me happy, healthy, grounded, and totally in check.”

“When you see how you react when you suffer that’s when you know what you are made of.”

“I’ve never fallen in love right off the bat. I get scared to say I love you too soon because it means so much. It means you’re not seeing an end to things.”

“I remember looking through magazines or watching movies even just a couple of years ago and being like, ‘I really want to be part of that,’ but not realizing what that was.”

“You can take what is handed to you and use it as an excuse to mess up. But I’ve always handled what was given to me by life. I consider myself lucky. I was never lied to. And I was loved.”

“You know how you’re supposed to choose between playing up your eyes or your lips? I always choose lips. I love the drama.”

“I think guys who are rebels and make their own rules are appealing.”

“Even when people are so judgmental about what you wear or your weight you just have to step away and be like, ‘I’m a normal, fine human being.'”

“I’m not really a partier, in general. I’ve definitely learned that that’s probably the least interesting thing you can do with your time.”

“It’s wonderful to be in love. And it’s definitely wonderful to cuddle and have sex and get to experience life with somebody. But it’s OK if you don’t find him and you’re 24. You can find it someday.”

“Singing really is acting. In a lot of ways, it’s much more personal. I love music, and being able to work on that is amazing.”

“I haven’t ever really relied on relationships with guys. They come around and it’s cool, but it’s never been a big thing. I guess I’ve just been really distracted by work.”

“Guys who are unavailable are actually a dream come true for me because I’m unavailable all the time. It’s great they’re not down your throat.”

“I want a family someday and I know that I have to let love in to create that and I think there is someone out there for me, but I’m not on some crazy hunt for that right now.”

“The way I become friends with somebody is a slow process. You can’t just spill your guts and tell them everything about yourself and expect them to listen and understand you because you don’t know them. It’s the same thing with a relationship.”

“I watched a lot of TV, and it clicked one day that these people were acting. It sounded like the most fun thing ever.”

“I’ve never been crazy. I’m a very good girl, to be honest. I don’t do anything to hurt anybody.”

Leighton Meester already got her experience in acting for more than 20 years, so no wonder that she is so iconic. Good job, Leighton!