Blake Lively Reflects on “Gossip Girl” as Her Life’s University
Blake Lively recently took a nostalgic journey back to her “Gossip Girl” days, marking the beloved series’ 18th anniversary with heartfelt reflections. In a touching Instagram post on September 21, the now 38-year-old actress shared what the iconic show meant to her personal and professional development, calling it the equivalent of her college experience. “This show was my college. It was my education, my social life, my hard work, my late nights and early mornings, my teacher,” Lively wrote, revealing the profound impact the series had on her formative years. She fondly recalled how New York City and Silvercup Studios (with occasional jaunts to Paris) served as her “campus” for six transformative years, creating a treasure trove of memories that shaped an entire decade of her life.
The post was accompanied by a collection of nostalgic photographs from the show’s set, including a large ensemble picture and intimate snapshots with co-stars Leighton Meester and Penn Badgley. The CW’s “Gossip Girl,” based on the popular book series of the same name, ran from September 2007 to December 2012, with Lively starring as the glamorous socialite Serena van der Woodsen, the central “it” girl who captivated audiences with her complicated life in Manhattan’s elite Upper East Side. The show became a cultural phenomenon, launching Lively into stardom and establishing her as a household name while creating a lasting impact on fashion, television, and pop culture at large.
In a delightful surprise for fans, Lively recently revisited her iconic role while promoting her cocktail brand, Betty Booze. She collaborated with former co-star Zuzanna Szadkowski, who played the beloved housekeeper Dorota Kishlovsky in the series, for a promotional video released on YouTube this past June. The clever clip playfully referenced one of the show’s most popular fan theories that Dorota should have been revealed as the mysterious Gossip Girl (a role ultimately attributed to Penn Badgley’s character, Dan Humphrey). The charming interaction between the two featured Szadkowski saying, “I have tea,” to which Lively responded, “Good tea?” before Szadkowski revealed a can of Betty Booze vodka iced tea, calling it “crisp, balanced, nothing artificial,” with Lively quipping, “That’s hard to find around these parts” – a line that resonated with the show’s fans who remembered Dorota as Blair Waldorf’s trusted confidante.
This fond reflection on “Gossip Girl” serves as a bright spot in what has reportedly been a challenging year for Lively. The anniversary celebration comes amidst reports of ongoing legal disputes with Justin Baldoni, her co-star and director in the 2024 film “It Ends With Us.” According to the information provided, on September 15, Baldoni’s legal team filed to bring on high-powered attorney Alexandra Shapiro, who has represented other high-profile clients. The legal situation between Lively and Baldoni apparently stems from December 2024, when Lively allegedly accused Baldoni of sexual harassment, creating a hostile work environment, and conducting a smear campaign against her – claims which Baldoni has denied.
The legal situation has reportedly gone through several developments, with Baldoni filing a countersuit that was dismissed in June 2025, while Lively’s lawsuit remains ongoing with a court date scheduled for May 2026. Despite these challenges, Lively’s celebration of “Gossip Girl” demonstrates her ability to appreciate the positive aspects of her career journey while navigating more difficult professional situations. The contrast between her warm reminiscence about her time on the show and the reported legal troubles highlights the complex nature of life in the entertainment industry.
As Lively marks this significant anniversary in her career, fans around the world join her in celebrating the cultural impact of “Gossip Girl.” The show not only launched the careers of its young cast but also defined a generation’s perception of New York City’s elite social scene and influenced fashion trends for years to come. Lively’s portrayal of Serena van der Woodsen remains iconic, and her reflections on how the show shaped her personally and professionally offer a touching glimpse into the human experience behind a global television phenomenon. In her own words, what started as a job became “What. A. Decade. 💖 What a University” – a sentiment that resonates with anyone who has found unexpected life lessons and growth in their professional journey.
