Gossip Girl, the new CW teen drama adapted from the popular book series of the same name, is similar to Josh Schwartz’s previous project, The O.C. in the sense that it offers viewers a look into the world of the fabulously rich and glamorous. The challenge of such subject matter, says Schwartz, is making “characters who seemingly have it all” not only likable, but also relatable.
Series star Leighton Meester is confident the show has succeeded in both. “I think the show will be relatable to lots of girls and even grown women… And a guilty pleasure for guys!” she told the Associated Press.
Meester, who plays prep-school teen Blair Waldorf on Gossip Girl, says even she recognizes some of the feelings her character goes through, especially when it comes to living up to society’s idea of perfection.
“I can definitely relate to her,” Leighton Meester told the Associated Press. “Blair’s shortcomings are because of her insecurities. She feels all this pressure to be perfect: to be the most beautiful, the most popular, the most loved.”
Popularity is one of the main concerns in the world of Gossip Girl, which, like the books, has an anonymous narrator (voiced by former Veronica Mars actress Kristen Bell) who provides a steady stream of juicy information about the young group of socialites.
On the premiere episode, Serena van der Woodsen (Blake Lively) returns to the Upper East Side after a year’s mysterious absence. Serena is Blair’s best friend and worst enemy. In contrast to Serena, who leads a carefree life, Blair constantly struggles with following a specific life plan while hiding her insecurities.
“The only way to play Blair, or any character, and make her human, is to find what she is inside me,” Leighton Meester said. “And I know I have my insecurities, too.”
Meester, however, said she is unlike her character when it comes to dealing with insecurities.
“The way Blair and I are NOT alike when it comes to insecurities is: SHE pays SO much attention to hers!” Meester said, claiming that she has learned not to focus too much on her competition. She also believes the only way to success is figuring “out what works for you and what doesn’t.”
Gossip Girls airs Wednesday nights on the CW.
-Lisa Claustro, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: Associated Press
(Image Courtesy of the CW)
Staff Columnist, BuddyTV
