‘Gossip Girl‘ was the teen drama of its time. From 2007 to 2012, it gave us fashion, scandal, heartbreak, and one unforgettable friendship at its center, which was Serena van der Woodsen and Blair Waldorf. Undoubtedly, Blake Lively and Leighton Meester made those roles iconic.
You’ll be surprised to know that Blake and Leighton weren’t always the first choices for New York’s most fashionable, messy yet totally fabulous ladies. In fact, the CW almost gave us Hollywood starlets in Blair and Serena’s roles. And once you find out who nearly stepped into their shoes, you’ll be glad things worked out the way they did.
‘Gossip Girl’ Casting Surprise
Casting director David Rapaport revealed that the network had some surprising names in mind. Ashley Olsen was suggested for Blair Waldorf. And for Serena, it was none other than Rumer Willis. One half of the Olsen empire and the daughter of Bruce Willis and Demi Moore were once considered for the CW’s crown jewel.
Related: Who Was Originally Meant To Be Gossip Girl?
And the surprises didn’t stop there. Katie Cassidy, who would later shine on ‘Arrow,’ also tested for Serena. And, even the model whose legs graced the original ‘Gossip Girl’ covers auditioned too. Even with Blake and Leighton in the running, the network hesitated. But Serena wasn’t just about being famous for being famous. She needed the glam, the chaos, and the vulnerability beneath the designer clothes.
Sure, Blake checked all the boxes, but for her, the problem was that she looked “too California.” To prove she could pull off a Manhattan debutante, Blake straightened her hair, opted for a sleeker look, and instantly nailed Serena’s effortless glam. While for Leighton, the major hurdle was her hair. She was naturally blonde, and producers couldn’t quite see her as Blair. Determined, she dyed her hair brown, and the rest is history.
Ed Westwick Wasn’t Always Meant To Be Chuck Bass
As if that wasn’t enough drama, another surprise came from the men’s auditions in ‘Gossip Girl.‘ Ed Westwick was initially chosen for Nate Archibald, the sweet golden boy of the Upper East Side. But with his edge and brooding personality, producers knew he didn’t fit Nate’s mold. Instead, he became Chuck Bass, a role so perfectly matched that it’s hard to imagine anyone else.
In case you missed it: ‘Gossip Girl’ Cast: How Do The Actors Look Now? What Are They Doing?
More than a decade later, ‘Gossip Girl‘ continues to inspire rewatches, fashion trends, and fan theories. Part of its magic lies in the knowledge that it almost looked completely different. The alternate casting ideas make for fun trivia, but the truth is, the version we got was the version we needed.
