The Definitive Answer: Are Blake Lively And Leighton Meester Still Friends In 2025?

The enduring mystery of the Upper East Side persists: Are Blake Lively and Leighton Meester, the iconic duo behind Serena van der Woodsen and Blair Waldorf, still friends in real life? Despite their characters' unbreakable bond that defined a generation of television, the truth about the actresses' off-screen relationship has always been more complicated and, as of late 2025, remains largely unchanged from the narrative that began years ago.

The simple answer, based on the most recent public evidence, is that there is no indication of a close, active friendship between the two stars today. While they maintain a professional respect and were always cordial on the set of Gossip Girl, their paths diverged significantly after the show concluded, leading to two distinctly separate lives and careers, a reality that often surprises fans who desperately want the Serena and Blair dynamic to be real.

Blake Lively and Leighton Meester: A Tale of Two Stars

To understand the current status of their relationship, it’s essential to look at the women they are today, both professionally and personally. Their diverging paths highlight why a close friendship was unlikely to form and sustain over the years.

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Blake Lively's Biography & Profile

• Full Name: Blake Ellender Lively (née Brown)
• Date of Birth: August 25, 1987
• Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, U.S.
• Role on Gossip Girl: Serena van der Woodsen
• Spouse: Ryan Reynolds (m. 2012)
• Children: Four daughters (James, Inez, Betty, and a fourth daughter born in 2023)
• Notable Projects Post-GG: A Simple Favor, The Age of Adaline, The Shallows, and her directorial debut for Taylor Swift's "I Bet You Think About Me" music video.
• Public Persona: Highly active and visible on social media, known for her witty public relationship with her husband, and a prominent figure in high-fashion and celebrity circles (often seen with the 'Taylor Swift posse').

Leighton Meester's Biography & Profile

• Full Name: Leighton Marissa Meester
• Date of Birth: April 9, 1986
• Place of Birth: Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.
• Role on Gossip Girl: Blair Waldorf
• Spouse: Adam Brody (m. 2014)
• Children: A daughter (born 2015) and a son (born 2020)
• Notable Projects Post-GG: Single Parents, The Weekend Away, How I Met Your Father, and her work in music, including the 2014 album Heartstrings.
• Public Persona: Significantly more private and reserved. Prefers a quieter, more domestic life, often focusing on independent film and television projects. She is married to actor Adam Brody, known for The O.C., creating a beloved '90s/2000s teen drama crossover couple.

The Off-Screen Reality: Friendly, But Never Friends

The persistent rumors of a "feud" or a "rivalry" between the two actresses were largely a creation of the media and fans desperate to see the drama of the Upper East Side spill into reality. However, the truth, as confirmed by those closest to the set, was far less dramatic.

Confirmation from the Gossip Girl Inner Circle

In 2017, on the 10th anniversary of the show's premiere, executive producer Joshua Safran finally provided clarity on the situation, a statement that remains the most concrete piece of evidence about their dynamic. Safran admitted that while the two were professional and cordial, they were not close friends.

“Blake and Leighton were not friends,” Safran stated. “They were friendly, but they were not friends like Serena and Blair.” He explained that the two actresses, despite their immense on-screen chemistry, simply had very different personalities and social lives.

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Safran described Blake Lively as "very much in the moment," someone who was highly social and engaged with the fast-paced New York lifestyle. Leighton Meester, on the other hand, was described as more reserved and private, preferring a quieter existence. This natural divergence in their personalities meant they didn't gravitate toward each other outside of work.

The ability of both actresses to convincingly portray the deep, complex bond between Serena and Blair, despite their distant off-screen relationship, is a testament to their professionalism and acting talent. They were able to switch on the intense connection the moment the cameras rolled, a feat that often confused and delighted fans.

Why the Friendship Status Hasn't Changed in 2025

In the years since Gossip Girl wrapped in 2012, both Blake Lively and Leighton Meester have transitioned into new phases of their lives, solidifying the separation that began on the set. Their current status as busy working mothers has only reinforced their separate orbits.

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Separate Lives and Different Priorities

Both actresses are now married to major Hollywood stars—Blake to Ryan Reynolds and Leighton to Adam Brody—and both are raising young families. This phase of life naturally demands focus on their immediate families and careers, leaving little time for maintaining friendships that weren't deeply established to begin with.

• Blake Lively's Social Sphere: Blake’s life is highly public, centered on major Hollywood events, brand partnerships, and a high-profile social circle that includes figures like Taylor Swift. Her brand is one of aspirational, accessible glamour.
• Leighton Meester's Private Sphere: Leighton’s life is markedly more low-key. She prioritizes her family with Adam Brody, often choosing roles in smaller, more character-driven projects or sitcoms that allow her to stay closer to home. Her focus is on privacy and domesticity.

The lack of a social media connection is perhaps the most telling modern indicator. Neither Blake Lively nor Leighton Meester follow each other on major platforms. While this is not definitive proof of animosity, it is a strong public signal that they are not actively involved in each other's day-to-day lives or careers.

The Enduring Power of Serena and Blair

Despite the real-life distance, the fictional friendship between Serena van der Woodsen and Blair Waldorf remains one of the most celebrated in television history. The dynamic of the blonde, free-spirited 'It Girl' and the brunette, ambitious 'Queen B' of the Upper East Side created a cultural phenomenon that transcends the personal lives of the actresses who played them. Fans continue to cherish the on-screen bond between the two characters, a bond that was often tested by drama involving Dan Humphrey, Chuck Bass, and the constant scrutiny of XOXO, Gossip Girl.

Ultimately, the question of "Are Leighton Meester and Blake Lively still friends?" has a consistent answer: They were never close friends in the traditional sense, but professional colleagues who shared a six-year, career-defining experience. They have moved on to separate, successful lives, and while a public reunion or joint appearance is highly unlikely in 2025, their legacy as the ultimate frenemies of the CW remains secure.