Blake Lively Celebrates Gossip Girl’s 18th Anniversary with Pics

Blake Lively marked the 18th anniversary of the hit CW series Gossip Girl by sharing behind-the-scenes photos from the show, which originally premiered on September 19, 2007. The actress, known for playing Serena van der Woodsen, commemorated the milestone by posting images highlighting moments with fellow cast members and memories from filming.

Cast Highlights from the Popular Teen Drama

The series starred Leighton Meester, Penn Badgley, Ed Westwick, Chace Crawford, and Taylor Momsen, and focused on wealthy Manhattan teenagers who were often targeted by a mysterious online blogger exposing their secrets. The photos showed the ensemble in candid poses, capturing the fun and camaraderie that existed behind the camera. In one image, Lively was seen fixing the hair of Michelle Trachtenberg, who sadly passed away in February at age 39 due to diabetes complications, while Ed Westwick applied her makeup.

Blake Lively Reflects on Personal Growth During the Show

Lively described her experience on Gossip Girl as a formative period, saying,

“It was my education, my social life, my hardwork, my late nights and early mornings, my teacher. New York City and Silvercup Studios (& sometimes Paris) was my campus for SIX years.”

She further added,

“So many memories. What. A. Decade. What a University.”

These comments underline how deeply the show shaped both her career and personal life over those years.

Cast Members Share Their Mixed Feelings About the Series

Although the original Gossip Girl cast has maintained relationships, their views about the show vary. Chace Crawford commented on its place in television history during a June interview, calling it,

“really was of its time.”

He reflected on the show’s tone, stating,

“It was just before social media, a little bit ahead of its time in that regard. But in watching, it’s very campy. I forget how kind of campy it was. It’s kind of fun in that way,”

and admitted,

“I haven’t really rewatched any of it. I’d be terrified. It’s a bit embarrassing.”

Penn Badgley Opens Up About Fame’s Challenges During the Series

Penn Badgley spoke candidly about the personal difficulties he faced during his time on Gossip Girl in an April podcast interview. He said,

“What starts to happen when you’re in this one role for a long time, the aspect of celebrity being a part of it, a huge part of it, there is not enough separation, I think, for anybody,”

describing how constantly being recognized affected his sense of self. He continued,

“You’re seen as this person. You’re called their name out on the street. You also constantly have to be that person at work, and I was 20, I was 21, 22, so I didn’t have the emotional maturity to understand how to differentiate myself just in terms of self-worth.”

Legacy and Availability of Gossip Girl

The original Gossip Girl show continues to resonate, with its combination of glamour, drama, and insights into privileged Manhattan life. While the 2021 reboot aired for two seasons, it has not replaced the cultural impact of the original series. Fans can currently stream the original episodes on HBO Max and Netflix, keeping the story of Serena van der Woodsen and her circle alive for new audiences while allowing longtime viewers to revisit the world that shaped a generation of television drama.