Leighton Meester Speaks Out After Michelle Trachtenberg’' Tragic Death

Leighton Meester is speaking out on the tragic death of her Gossip Girl co-star Michelle Trachtenberg, and the news is as touching as it is sad. In a new cover story for Flaunt, the actress, most famous for her role as Blair Waldorf, spoke out about her emotional reaction when she discovered that Trachtenberg died suddenly from diabetes mellitus complications in February at the age of 39. "It's devastating," Meester said, punctuating all her sadness. "She was a wonderful, talented person, and everyone loved her. It's very, very sad for everyone who knew her."

The two 1986-born actresses had shared not just the screen but experienced the immediate rise to fame with Gossip Girl, the television show that aired from 2007 to 2012. Their closeness, forged in the high-pressure crucible of early fame and a fiercely loyal fan base, extended beyond their shared lines and scenes. For Meester, the news of Trachtenberg's passing had special resonance because of their shared past and because they were around the same age. Meester's memorial joins a chorus of others from the Gossip Girl cast mourning Trachtenberg, who was also honored by Badgley and Lively in touching statements. Badgley, who portrayed Dan Humphrey, called her death "really surreal, really saddening," and fondly recounted her warmth and laughter. "What I remember of her is she was incredibly quick to laugh," he said. "She was really joyous."

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Blake Lively, who played Serena van der Woodsen, described Trachtenberg's energy as "electricity," characterizing the crackle she emanated whenever she walked into a room. The same spark fans had responded to when Trachtenberg entered the series as Georgina Sparks, a fan-favorite character for her wild and fiery spirit. Looking back on their Gossip Girl days, Meester admitted the show still has an imprint after more than a decade since it ended. The death of a former cast member has, as one would expect, darkened the rosy glow that many fans have when they think of the show. For Meester, it was a stark reminder that those characters and that fame were built on the backs of real people with real struggles.

Meester may have kept a somewhat low profile post-show, but her words resonate now. By paying tribute to Trachtenberg, she pays homage to a lost friend and reminds fans that the bonds formed away from the camera are sometimes even stronger than the relationships we see onscreen. As touching tributes from fans and colleagues alike flood in, Leighton Meester's sentimental note is no small reminder of the fragility of life for even those who seemed larger than life on TV. Michelle Trachtenberg's loss will always leave a Gossip Girl-shaped hole in the family.