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Leighton Meester

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Leighton Meester

Leighton Marissa Meester (born April 9, 1986)[1] is an American actress, singer, songwriter, and fashion model best known for her role as popular, sexy, rich & bisexual Blair Waldorf in the television series Gossip Girl.

Early life

Meester was born while her mother was serving a federal prison sentence in Fort Worth, Texas.[2][3] Although her mother, Constance, was serving time in prison for her involvement in a drug ring that smuggled marijuana from Jamaica to the United States, she was able to give birth to Leighton in a hospital and nurse her for three months in a halfway house before returning to prison to complete her sentence.[2][3]

Meester maintained that her parents gave her a normal upbringing and, despite their criminal past, are good people with experience that has only made Meester more open-minded and non-judgmental, "It made me realize that you can't judge anyone—especially your parents—for what they've done in their past, because people change."[4] Meester jokes, "Look, I could've turned out a lot worse."[5]

Meester grew up in Marco Island, Florida, where she participated in productions at a local playhouse.[6] When she was 11 years old, Meester and her mother moved to New York.[6] Meester attended the Professional Children's School and also began working as a model with Wilhemina, booking a Ralph Lauren campaign shot by Bruce Weber and working with then photographer (now film maker) Sofia Coppola.[6][7] Meester made her television acting debut as a murder victim's friend on an episode of Law & Order.[6][7] At 14, Meester moved to Los Angeles, California, wanting more stable work and attended Hollywood High School and Beverly Hills High School.[7][8] She then transferred to a small private school and graduated a year early.[9]

Career

Acting

Meester at the 2009 CW Upfront presentation

After her television debut in 1999 playing Alyssa Turner in Law & Order, Meester appeared as a guest in two more series before landing her big role in the movie Hangman's Curse, based on the best-selling book by Frank Peretti. Meester also appeared in Tarzan, which ran for only eight episodes. Meester started to land guest roles in other series such as Crossing Jordan, 7th Heaven, Veronica Mars, 24, and Entourage.[6]

In 2005, Meester began a regular role in the series Surface as Savannah Bennet. Meester appeared in two more 2006 movies, Flourish and Inside. She also guest appeared in Numb3rs and in two episodes of House M.D. as Ali, a young girl who has a crush on House.[6]

After guest roles on CSI: Miami, Shark, and playing the female lead in the horror film Drive-Thru, Meester was cast in CW's Gossip Girl as Blair Waldorf.[6] The show is based on the book series by Cecily von Ziegesar about the lives of New York's privileged Upper East Side young adults. Her performance has been met with critical acclaim.[10][11]

In 2007 Meester appeared on the television film The Haunting of Sorority Row, and played a part in the ensemble comedy/drama Remember the Daze. She also appeared in the horror/thriller film Killer Movie in 2008.

Meester had a small role in the 2010 comedy Date Night and a cameo on Going The Distance.[12] She was cast in Screen Gems's upcoming dramas Country Strong and The Roommate. [13][14] She will star in The Uncatchable Cowgirl Bandits of Nottingham, Texas alongside Amber Heard; in indie dramatic comedy The Oranges opposite Hugh Laurie; and will star next to Selena Gomez and Katie Cassidy in young femme comedy Monte Carlo, loosely based on Jules Bass's young-adult book Headhunters.[15][16][17]

Music

In April 2009, Meester signed a recording contract with Universal Republic.[18] The album will be produced by several producers such as RedOne, J.R. Rotem and Kara Dioguardi. Meester's first single, "Somebody To Love", featuring R&B singer Robin Thicke, was released for airplay on October 13, 2009 and became available for digital download on October 14, 2009.[19] Her second single, "Your Love's A Drug", was digitally released on March 30, 2010.[20]

Meester is featured in the Cobra Starship song "Good Girls Go Bad", which reached the Top 10 on Billboard Hot 100 peaking at #7.[21] She recorded a cover of the song "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" for the compilation album A Very Special Christmas 7.[22] She is also featured on Stephen Jerzak's new song "She Said".[23]

Endorsements

Meester previously appeared in Clearasil commercials and in 2009 ads for Reebok.[24] She has been a spokesperson for Sunsilk's "Life Can't Wait" campaign.[25] In June 2009, she and Ed Westwick were named the new faces for the Korean clothing line ASK Enquired.[26] She has also been a spokesperson for Safe Horizon to raise awareness about and prevent domestic violence.[27] Most recently, Meester has signed on to be the current spokesperson for Herbal Essences hair products.[28]

Personal life

In June 2009, there were reports accompanied by voyeuristic pictures allegedly from a sex tape, featuring an 18-year old Meester, being shopped around by an old boyfriend for an asking price up to $1 million.[29] Meester counters the allegations in an interview with the September 2009 issue of Harpers Bazaar: "[The tape] is not real, so it makes me sort of sad. It's unfortunate that it got carried as far as it did. I definitely understand the nature of people better now and that the mere allegation of something like that could be headline news. People think it's real because somebody says it is."[30]

Filmography

Films
Year Title Role Notes
2003 The Big Wide World of Carl Laemke Tanni
The Jackalope Lorraine
Hangman's Curse Elisha Springfield
2004 Hollywood Division Michelle TV film
2006 Flourish Lucy Covner
Inside Josie
2007 Drive Thru Mackenzie Carpenter
Remember the Daze Tori
The Haunting of Sorority Row Samantha Willows TV film
2008 Killer Movie Jaynie Hansen
2010 Date Night Katy
Going The Distance Amy
Country Strong Chiles Stanton post-production
2011 The Roommate Rebecca post-production
Monte Carlo Meg post-production
The Oranges Nina Ostroff post-production
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1999 Law & Order Alyssa Turner Episode "Disciple"
2001 Boston Public Sarah Breen Episode "Chapter Twenty-Eight"
2002 Once And Again Amanda Episode "Gardenia"
Family Affair Irene Episode "No Small Parts"
2003 Tarzan Nicki Porter 5 episodes
2004 Crossing Jordan Marie Strand Episode "Missing Pieces"
7th Heaven Kendall 2 episodes
North Shore Veronica Farrell Episode "Pilot"
2004–2008 Entourage Justine Chapin 3 episodes
2005 24 Debbie Pendleton 4 episodes
8 Simple Rules Nikki Episode "The After Party"
Veronica Mars Carrie Bishop 2 episodes
2005–2006 Surface Savannah Barnett 12 episodes (Recurring role)
2006 Monster Allergy Poppy Episode "House of Monster"
Secrets of a Small Town Kayla Rhodes Episode "Pilot"
Numb3rs Karen Camden Episode "Dark Matter"
House M.D. Ali 2 episodes
2007 CSI: Miami Heather Crowley Episode "Broken Home"
Shark Megan 3 episodes
2007–present Gossip Girl Blair Waldorf 87 episodes (Main role)

Discography

Studio albums

Year Album details
2011 Love Is a Drug

Singles

Year Single Chart positions Album
US
[31] 		US
Heat
[31]
2009 "Somebody to Love" (feat. Robin Thicke) 111 13 Love Is a Drug
2010 "Your Love's a Drug" 119 14
Year Single Artist Peak chart positions Album
US AUS AUT BEL CAN FIN NL NZ UK
2009 "Good Girls Go Bad" Cobra Starship 7[32] 5[33] 37[34] 4[35] 7[36] 13[37] 61[38] 2[39] 17[40] Hot Mess
2010 "She Said" Stephen Jerzak — — — — — — — — — She Said

Awards

Year Award Category Nominated work Result
2008 Teen Choice Award Choice TV Actress Drama Gossip Girl Nominated
Choice TV Breakout Star Female Nominated
2009 Choice TV Actress Drama[41] Won
MTV Video Music Award Best Pop Video "Good Girls Go Bad" (with Cobra Starship) Nominated
2010 Teen Choice Award Choice TV Actress Drama[42] Gossip Girl Won

References

  1. ^ "Leighton Meester Biography". TV Guide. Retrieved 2009-09-19.
  2. ^ a b Kevin O'Leary (October 6, 2008). "Her Untold Story". Us Weekly. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  3. ^ a b Jason Gay (April 2, 2009). "Dirty Things". Rolling Stone. p. 44.
  4. ^ Bartolomeo, Joey (2009-01-28). "Leighton Meester Likes Her Men 'Dark and Bad'". People.
  5. ^ Fahner, Molly (June 2009). "Leighton Meester: The "Gossip Girl" You Love to Hate". Cosmopolitan. Retrieved 2009-07-26.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g "Leighton Meester". The CW Television Network. Retrieved 2009-07-26.
  7. ^ a b c "Gossip Girl's fairy-tale ascension". Qatar Tribune. Tribune Media Services. 2009-04-08. Retrieved 2009-07-26.
  8. ^ "Gossip Girl Transformations - Leighton Meester". InStyle. Retrieved 2009-07-26.
  9. ^ Vena, Jocelyn (2009-06-15). "'Twilight' Star Cam Gigandet, Leighton Meester, Steve-O Recall High School Graduation". MTV News. Retrieved 2009-07-26.
  10. ^ "Golden Globes 2009: Overlooked TV Shows and Performances". Televisionwithoutpity.com. 2007-05-25. Retrieved 2010-02-26.
  11. ^ "The Hot List". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2010-02-26.
  12. ^ "Leighton Meester's Cameo in 'Going the Distance' | Leighton Meester at Leighton Meester Daily". Leightonmeester.us. Retrieved 2010-08-31.
  13. ^ "'Love Don't Let Me Down' Release Date | Leighton Meester at Leighton Meester Daily". Leightonmeester.us. Retrieved 2010-08-31.
  14. ^ "New Release Dates for 5 Screen Gems Flicks and Universal's REPO MEN –". Collider.com. 2010-02-04. Retrieved 2010-08-31.
  15. ^ Macnab, Geoffrey (2010-02-13). "ContentFilm snares The Uncatchable Cowgirl Bandits | News | Screen". Screendaily.com. Retrieved 2010-08-31.
  16. ^ McNary, Dave. "Meester picks 'Oranges'". Variety.
  17. ^ "Leighton Meester new movie 'Monte Carlo' | Leighton Meester at Leighton Meester Daily". Leightonmeester.us. Retrieved 2010-08-31.
  18. ^ Up for DiscussionPost Comment (2009-09-14). "'Gossip Girl' Star Leighton Meester Signs Record Deal". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2010-02-26.
  19. ^ "Somebody to Love (feat. Robin Thicke) - Single by Leighton Meester - Download Somebody to Love (feat. Robin Thicke) - Single on iTunes". Itunes.apple.com. 2009-10-14. Retrieved 2010-08-31.
  20. ^ http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/your-loves-a-drug-single/id362999631
  21. ^ "The Hot 100". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2010-02-26.
  22. ^ Conklin, Mike (2009-11-23). "Leighton Meester Covers "Baby Please Come Home"". The L Magazine. Retrieved 2010-02-26.
  23. ^ "Stephen Jerzak "She Said" ft. Leighton Meester MP3 | Leighton Meester at Leighton Meester Daily". Leightonmeester.us. Retrieved 2010-08-31.
  24. ^ http://stylenews.peoplestylewatch.com/2009/03/12/sneak-peek-leighton-meesters-reebok-ad/. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  25. ^ "Leighton Meester, Kick-off of Sunsilk's Life Can't Wait campaign". In Style. 2008-02-21. Retrieved 2010-02-26.
  26. ^ "극중 블레어와 척 연기 두 배우, 캐주얼 브랜드 모델로 발탁". Korea CBS News. 2009-06-10.
  27. ^ 05:30 PM ET (2008-10-02). "Leighton Meester Walks the Runway to Battle Domestic Violence". Stylenews.peoplestylewatch.com. Retrieved 2010-02-26.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  28. ^ Odell, Amy (2010-04-09). "Leighton Meester Beat Blake Lively to a Hair Product Endorsement Deal - The Cut". Nymag.com. Retrieved 2010-08-31.
  29. ^ "Sex Tape Promoter: Alleged Leighton Meester Video Being Shopped For $1 Million". RadarOnline.com. 2009-06-19. Retrieved 2010-02-26.
  30. ^ Laura Brown (September 2009). "The Many Faces of Leighton Meester". Harpers Bazaar. Retrieved 2009=08=05. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  31. ^ a b "US Billboard and Canadian charts > Chart history". Billboard'.' Retrieved 2010-08-15.
  32. ^ "Good Girls Go Bad US Billboard and Canadian charts". Billboard'.' Retrieved 2010-08-15.
  33. ^ "Good Girls Go Bad ARIA charts". ARIA Charts'.' Retrieved 2010-08-15.
  34. ^ "Good Girls Go Bad Austrian charts". IFPI'.' Retrieved 2010-08-15.
  35. ^ "Good Girls Go Bad Ultratop charts". Ultratop'.' Retrieved 2010-08-15.
  36. ^ "Good Girls Go Bad Canadian charts". Canadian Hot 100'.' Retrieved 2010-08-15.
  37. ^ "Good Girls Go Bad Finnish charts". FinnishCharts.com'.' Retrieved 2010-08-15.
  38. ^ "Good Girls Go Bad Dutch charts". Single Top 100'.' Retrieved 2010-08-15.
  39. ^ "Good Girls Go Bad RIANZ charts". RIANZ'.' Retrieved 2010-08-15.
  40. ^ "Cobra Starship UK charts > Chart history". ChartStats.com Retrieved 2010-08-15
  41. ^ "Teen Choice Award Winners". CBS. August 10, 2009. Retrieved 2009-08-26. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  42. ^ Finn, Natalie (August 8, 2010). "Teens Deem Kardashians Choice Reality TV". E!. Retrieved 2010-08-9. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
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