Leighton Meester has spoken out for the first time about the death of her Gossip Girl co-star Michelle Trachtenberg, who died in February at age 39 from complications related to diabetes mellitus. The actress, known for her role as Blair Waldorf on the hit teen drama, reflected on Trachtenberg’s passing in a recent Flaunt magazine cover story.
“It’s devastating,” Meester said. “She was a wonderful, talented person, and everyone loved her. It’s very, very sad for everyone who knew her.”
Trachtenberg, who played Georgina Sparks on Gossip Girl, joined the cast in the show’s second season and became known for portraying one of the series’ most unpredictable characters. Her role grew from a single appearance into a recurring presence throughout the show’s run. Georgina’s schemes, lies, and dramatic reveals often disrupted the lives of the main characters, making her a memorable part of the series’ larger narrative.
Meester noted the timing of Trachtenberg’s death was especially hard to process, pointing out that they were the same age. “Now, I can see that [the show’s legacy] continues—in some ways, even more so than back then—to live on, which is incredible,” Meester added.
Gossip Girl, created by Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage, ran on The CW from 2007 to 2012. The series followed a group of privileged teenagers living on the Upper East Side of Manhattan as their lives were chronicled and manipulated by a mysterious anonymous blogger. Trachtenberg’s Georgina was introduced in the show’s second season as a former friend of Serena van der Woodsen, played by Blake Lively. Her chaotic presence was immediately felt and remained a point of tension throughout several later seasons.
In the wake of Trachtenberg’s death, many of her former co-stars have expressed their shock and sadness. At the Season 5 premiere of Netflix’s You, actor Penn Badgley, who played Dan Humphrey on Gossip Girl, remembered his late co-star during a red carpet interview. “What I remember of her is she was incredibly quick to laugh,” Badgley said. “She was really joyous.”
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He described her passing as “really surreal” and “really saddening,” noting the contrast between her personality and the news of her death. “We all have our ups and downs, our lights and shadows, but she had this — I mean, she was mature, but she had this childlike, joyous laugh,” he said.
Blake Lively, who played Serena, paid tribute to Trachtenberg in a message posted to her Instagram Stories in February. In her post, Lively recalled the energy Trachtenberg brought to every environment she entered. “You knew when she entered a room because the vibration changed,” Lively wrote. “She laughed the fullest at someone’s joke, she faced authority head-on when she felt something was wrong, she cared deeply about her work.”
Lively added, “She was proud to be a part of this community and industry—as painful as it could be sometimes. She was fiercely loyal to her friends and brave for those she loved. She was big and bold and distinctly herself.”
Other Gossip Girl cast members, including Taylor Momsen, Jessica Szohr, and Chace Crawford, shared messages honoring Trachtenberg shortly after the news became public. Co-creator Josh Schwartz also paid tribute, expressing his sadness at her death and recognizing her contribution to the series.
In the years after Gossip Girl, Trachtenberg kept a relatively low profile in Hollywood but remained recognizable for her earlier roles, including Dawn Summers in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Harriet in Harriet the Spy, and roles in films such as EuroTrip and Ice Princess. Her work in teen and genre television had earned her a place in a generation of pop culture favorites, particularly during the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Born in New York City in 1985, Trachtenberg began her career in commercials and children’s programming before making the leap to film and network television. Her early breakout performance as the title character in Harriet the Spy marked the beginning of a career that lasted nearly three decades. Over time, she became known for taking on characters who blended vulnerability with assertiveness, often balancing youthfulness with sharpness.
During her time on Gossip Girl, she portrayed Georgina with a mix of menace and wit that set her apart from other characters in the series. Her on-screen presence frequently disrupted plotlines and heightened dramatic stakes. Though originally intended for a brief guest appearance, her chemistry with the core cast and the popularity of her character led to her return in later seasons.
Meester, who spent six seasons in the role of Blair Waldorf, often acted opposite Trachtenberg’s Georgina. The two characters were frequently at odds, with Blair’s calculated dominance clashing with Georgina’s unpredictable chaos. The dynamic between them provided some of the series’ most memorable conflicts.
The cast’s tributes to Trachtenberg reflect not just her talent but also her personality off-screen. Badgley’s description of her laughter, Lively’s memory of her presence, and Meester’s comments on her kindness each point to a performer whose energy left a mark on her colleagues.
The New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner confirmed that Trachtenberg’s death was caused by complications of diabetes mellitus. The news arrived without prior public knowledge of her condition, leading to surprise among fans and colleagues.
In interviews, Meester has spoken about the unexpected longevity of Gossip Girl’s influence. Though the show ended over a decade ago, it continues to reach new viewers through streaming and syndication. “Now, I can see that [the show’s legacy] continues—in some ways, even more so than back then—to live on,” she said.
The show’s revival, which aired on HBO Max in 2021 and 2022 with a new cast, introduced a different generation to the series’ tone and setting, while longtime fans returned to the original. Trachtenberg’s Georgina was not part of the new version, though references to her character appeared. Discussions about her potential return had circulated among fans, especially during early development of the reboot.
While public tributes have largely focused on her acting and personality, her work extended beyond the screen. Trachtenberg was involved in causes related to animal welfare and often used social media to advocate for responsible pet adoption. She maintained a direct relationship with fans online and continued to comment on her past roles with humor and openness.
Colleagues who worked with her have described her as professional and thoughtful. Writers from Buffy the Vampire Slayer previously described her as mature beyond her years during her time on that show, often praised for taking on the complex role of Dawn in its later seasons.
As Meester and others reflect on Trachtenberg’s work and presence, their statements contribute to a portrait of someone remembered not only for her performances but for the way she treated those around her. The messages from cast members, though varied in tone and detail, point to a shared sense of respect and affection.
