“Gossip Girl” tells the story of a bunch of wealthy Upper East Siders (and a few Brooklynites) as they deal with drama, romance, and chaos in the Big Apple. The show, which ran from 2007 to 2012, also happened to make much of its young cast into huge stars. Blake Lively, of course, starred as Serena van der Woodsen on “Gossip Girl” and has since gone on to be a prominent A-lister. Penn Badgley, who played the seemingly innocuous Dan Humphrey, now stars as another seemingly harmless (but very murderous) character on the hit show “You.” Meanwhile, Taylor Momsen, who played Dan’s little sister Jenny Humphrey, transitioned from television into a successful music career after leaving “Gossip Girl”; she currently fronts the band The Pretty Reckless.
Not that much time has passed since “Gossip Girl,” though the show already received a reboot that ran from 2021 to 2023. Still, in the decade since the original “Gossip Girl”‘s shocking finale, many of the show’s stars have embarked on tons of different projects, and up next, Leighton Meester, who played Blair Waldorf, is set to star in “EXmas,” a romantic comedy out Nov. 17 that seems perfect for ushering in the winter season.
Ahead, check out photos of the “Gossip Girl” cast then and now, and learn what they’ve all been up to since they left the Upper East Side behind.
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Blake Lively Then
Lively was 19 when she was cast on “Gossip Girl.” Her performance as the enigmatic Serena van der Woodsen cemented her as a major star early on.
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Everett Collection / CW Network/Courtesy Everett Collection
Leighton Meester Then
Meester played the complicated queen bee Blair Waldorf on “Gossip Girl,” taking on the role when she was 21.
Getty / Daniele Venturelli
Everett Collection / CW Network/Courtesy Everett Collection
Taylor Momsen Then
Child actor Momsen was one of the youngest “Gossip Girl” cast members, beginning filming when she was 14 – the same age as her character. She wound up exiting the show in its third season to focus on her music career.
Getty / Dominik Bindl
Taylor Momsen Now
Momsen formed the band The Pretty Reckless in 2009 and serves as the frontwoman. The successful band released their fourth album in 2021. Momsen has opted for a quieter life since leaving “Gossip Girl,” settling down in Maine.
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Ed Westwick Then
Westwick played bad boy Chuck Bass on “Gossip Girl,” beginning when he was 20.
Everett Collection / Getty / Gilbert Flores / Joe Maher
Ed Westwick Now
Westwick has continued to act since “Gossip Girl,” appearing in “Wicked City,” “White Gold,” and other shows. He is currently dating model Amy Jackson.
In 2017, three women accused him of sexual assault, with a fourth coming forward in 2018, per the BBC. Westwick has denied their allegations and has not faced charges.
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Chace Crawford Then
Crawford was 21 when he began playing Nate Archibald on “Gossip Girl.”
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Michelle Trachtenberg
Trachtenberg made waves as troublemaker Georgina Sparks on “Gossip Girl,” debuting in season two. She was 22 when she took on the role.
Getty / Jemal Countess
Michelle Trachtenberg
Trachtenberg appeared in several made-for-television films after “Gossip Girl” and currently executive produces and hosts the Tubi true-crime series “Meet, Marry, Murder.” She also appeared on the “Gossip Girl” reboot, playing an older version of her original “Gossip Girl” character. In 2020, she began dating her talent agent Jay Cohen, per Us Weekly.
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Connor Paolo Then
Paolo played Serena’s younger brother, Eric van der Woodsen, and was 17 when he landed the role. He left the show after four seasons to join the series “Revenge.”
Getty / Sean Mathis
Connor Paolo Now
Paolo appeared in the quarantine-themed comedy “Distancing Socially,” which was released in 2021. He’s also guest starred on a number of shows over the years.
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Jessica Szohr Then
Szohr played Dan Humphrey’s childhood best friend, Vanessa, on “Gossip Girl.” She was 22 when she took on the role.
Getty / Jon Kopaloff
Jessica Szohr Now
Szohr has appeared on “Twin Peaks,” “Shameless,” and other shows since “Gossip Girl” ended. In 2022, she started the “Gossip Girl” rewatch podcast “XOXO With Jessica Szohr.” She also welcomed a child with hockey player Brad Richardson in 2021, and the pair announced their engagement in 2022, per Us Weekly.
