Before “Gossip Girl,” Leighton was relatively unknown, appearing in B-movies or guest starring on various TV shows. But when she ditched her blonde hair and landed the role of Blair Waldorf, she became one of the hottest television stars in Hollywood.

But, according to “Gossip Girl” co-creator Josh Schwartz, it wasn’t Leighton’s choice to dye her hair—she had to become a brunette to get cast on the hit CW show. Schwartz tells The Hollywood Reporter:

“Leighton was a blonde when she came in to read, but Blake [Lively] was the blonde, so we asked her to color her hair.”

He adds:

“[It was] a risky move on her part in the middle of pilot season, but she did a sink-rinse dye job to audition as a brunette.”

Apparently, the risk paid off.

Do you prefer Leighton as a blonde or as a brunette?

Photos By PR Photos

The “Gossip Girl” star’s mother, Constance, earlier filed a counter-suit in July after Leighton sued her for using all the money she sent for her sick brother’s medical bills towards plastic surgery, Botox treatments, and hair extensions. Constance, who gave birth to Leighton while in federal prison serving time for drug smuggling, contended that her daughter owed her for years of acting lessons and countless sacrifices to further her Hollywood career. And now she’s dropped her suit…

Has Leighton Meester settled out of court with her errant mom? Or did she threaten to cut Constance off all financial support completely?

Quite the opposite, in fact. It looks like mother Meester backed down because it didn’t look like her daughter ever would.

According to Leighton‘s lawyer, the actress is still on the warpath with a plea seeking judgement from the court for declaratory relief from parental support once and for all, in black and white.

Apparently Leighton‘s still pissed over her sick brother’s neglect and the fact that all her financial support towards his care went to her mother’s frivolous spending…

Photo By PR Photos

Doesn’t she look cute?

Leighton was totally rocking the cutesy, girlish look at Paris Fashion Week. She donned a white, off-shoulder Christian Dior dress with ruffles and a fluffy tiered skirt, which she paired with black patent Louis Vuitton pumps. The “Gossip Girl” star accessorized the outfit with a black Christian Dior shoulder bag and a few pieces of simple jewelry (also by Dior).

The beautiful brunette finished off her look with romantic waves, soft brown eye makeup, and glossy pink lips.

What do you think of Leighton’s outfit? Do you think the sweet, girly style suits her?

images via WENN

Leighton opted for a funky Marios Schwab dress (it’s top half was black and skintight with long sleeves while the bottom half was a loose graphic print skirt adorned with images of sea creatures) and a pair of Burberry tribal-inspired heels with red, yellow and black beads.

The pretty brunette sported stick straight locks with blunt bangs and accentuated her features with shimmery eye makeup, dramatic black eyeliner, and glossy pink lips.

So what do we think of Leighton’s outfit? Well, we absolutely love her shoes!

…still on the fence about the dress though.

Do you like Leighton’s getup?

images via WENN

The “Gossip Girl Star” has definitely bowled us over, not the least because she’s looking a lot like a very young Crystal Gayle channeling flower power vibe…

Entertainment news today took in her long and dreamy tie-dyed powder blue dress and wondered if Leighton ever was a hippie in a previous life. You’d almost expect her to come prancing barefoot out of a commune  with a wreath of daisies around her head and holding up a peace sign.

This girl definitely looks like she has an old soul…raaaaadical!

Images via WENN

Celebrity news has it that Constance Meester believes the best offense is defense, and has sued the daughter claiming she never received the $10,000 a month Leighton promised her after practically having given up her life and sacrificed her happiness to further Leighton‘s Hollywood career.

Wait, isn’t this the same mother who’s served time in federal prison for being a drug mule? The very same loving mother who gave birth to Leighton in jail?

And this ex-con mom claims Leighton‘s liable for breach of contract for leaving her high and dry without a single cent, something Leighton says is absurd because she sends $7,500 a month to Constance to help pay for her brother’s medical expenses from recent brain surgery.

What a mess!

Let’s see how this plays out, shall we?

Image via WENN

Leighton’s mother, Constance Meester, reportedly took the money that was supposed to be for her sick son and used it for her own frivolous spending—she got plastic surgery, Botox and hair extensions.

According to reports, Leighton’s mom is unemployed and refuses to get a job. However, since Leighton’s little brother Lex has some very severe medical problems, she sends her mom $7,500 a month so that the latter can provide for Lex’s needs.

In addition to not giving the money to her son, Mrs. Meester reportedly threatened her daughter with a $3 million lawsuit, saying that she and Leighton had an oral contract that required the young actress to pay her mother $10,000 a month for life. So basically, Leighton’s mom wants to get her 10 grand monthly, or she will sue.

In response to the threat and the selfish spending, Leighton filed her own lawsuit against her mother, claiming that the latter used her brother’s money for her own cosmetic enhancements and a few other personal expenses. Furthermore, she wants the judge to rule that there is no financial support contract of any kind between her and her mother.

That is just despicable. What a truly horrible person you are, Constance Meester—you should be ashamed of yourself!

images via WENN

According to celebrity gossip websites, Leighton found out about baby Ayelet’s condition through her work with the DKMS, the world’s largest bone marrow donor center. The actress even teamed up with Vera Wang last month and lit up the Empire State Building in red and white to raise awareness for the DKMS.

The gorgeous actress pleads with everyone to help:

“We need to find a donor for Ayelet. She will not survive if she doesn’t find a bone marrow donor… I urge everyone to get swabbed, so Ayelet can find her perfect match.”

Ayelet’s mom adds:

“Every time my baby gets a tiny cold, I wonder if she will be able to fight it off. I know there is some charitable soul out there who can save my daughter. We must find that person, that match! Please do a simple cheek swab to help Ayelet and many other patients to see if you can be that match.”

Baby Ayelet’s most probable match is a person of eastern European descent—but Leighton and the DKMS urges everyone to get swabbed nonetheless, because they need bone marrow donors of all races and ethnicities, since there are thousands of people who are in need of a transplant.

Let’s all help Leighton with her cause! Get registered at www.GetSwabbed.org.

Spread the word, guys!

images via WENN

Ironically, the two met on the set of ‘Going The Distance’ where Meester played Long’s long-term girlfriend who dumps him in the beginning of the movie.

As far as relationship are concerned, Meester seemed very ho-hum on the idea of love when speaking to Allure last year.

“I don’t see the point in dating. I hate it. It’s wonderful to be in love. And it’s definitely wonderful to cuddle and have sex and get to experience life with somebody. But it’s okay if you don’t find him and you’re 24. You can find it someday.”

Well if the above celebrity gossip is true than perhaps Meester has found Mr. Right in Mr. Long?

Photos: WENN

Leighton is straightforward in her message, which she shares with males and females alike.

Many people have had the (mis)fortune of sharing a dorm room with a stranger and understand — and loathe — the feeling of knowing someone has gone through your stuff. Leighton Meester, star of the upcoming film ‘The Roommate,’ feels your pain, and is here to help with a new College Humor PSA.

“My message is simple. Don’t touch my $h!t,” she says in the clip. “We live in a world where millions of people go every day without touching my s**t — why can’t you be one of them?”

Great message. I’m surprised we haven’t heard it before since so many kids go off to college each year. The message is long overdue - great job Leighton!

Photos via WENN

Meester wearing a see-through raincoat, black underwear and wet locks sitting at an exclusive-looking bar setting. She opens up about being a bit wild in her past.

“We had craaaazy parties,” she admitted. “We had DJs, bands, an ice luge, a fire twirler. One of my roommates burned off her bangs on the stove trying to light a cigarette.”

But now, Meester has a more matured approach to the party scene, “I mean, drinking is one thing—overdrinking is another. And drugs are something that I do not tolerate at all. You’d be surprised how many people do it. If you go out and you’re living the nightlife scene, that’s what people do.”

She’s right, we have to set limits especially when we are older. Also being a young celebrity, a lot of kids are looking at what you do; it’s only right to set a good example.

Leighton also addresses the rumors of her rivalry with her Gossip Girl co-star, BlakeLively which she said are completely untrue.

Please visit Allure for more pictures and to read up on the entire interview.

photos: Fame; Allure

more Leighton and Robert after the hop…

A friend of Meester‘s told InTouch Weekly:

“He ducked out of the building and hopped into a waiting car. He apparently spent the night with Leighton, and didn’t want anyone to know!” the insider says of the star, who even carried an overnight bag during his hasty exit.A friend of Leighton’s confirms the affair, adding that the pair are still in constant contact.

“She’s having a texting romance with him, and is so into it. She talks with Rob almost daily,” her friend says. Leighton and her former boyfriend (and sometimes co-star) Sebastian Stan reportedly split earlier this month.”

Well. No worries, Kristen. A texting romance might as well not be a romance at all.

Do you think Leighton Meester and Robert Pattinson will get together for the long haul? Or was this just a one-nighter?

Photos: Fame

More pictures of Leighton and Ed after the whisper…

Ed denied he dumped Jessica this morning, but how convenient would that be? From OK! Magazine:

Leighton Meester and her boyfriend (and sometime co-star) Sebastian Stan have split, a friend of the actress-musician tells OK!. So why the split now, when things seemed to be going so well? Leighton called it quits, because she “doesn’t know how to be in a relationship and doesn’t really like them,” explains the insider.

And since Leighton was the one doing the dumping, Sebastian isn’t taking it too well, with our source saying he’s “heartbroken” by Leighton’s decision to end the relationship.

I’m not sure if I buy the whole, I don’t do relationships. Come on, what young, beautiful girl doesn’t? Do you believe Leighton didn’t want a relationship or that Sebastian wasn’t the one?

Photos: Fame

More pictures of Leighton after the cuss…

 Leighton, Ed Westwick and the rest of the female cast must have thought they were big stuff. Would you even recognize them if you’ve never seen the show? No. From the NY Post:

When one man at a table of lawyers and investment bankers politely asked Meester to watch her language, she allegedly shouted, “f – - – you! How dare you tell us to keep it down?” The spy added, “Other girls in their party were being really nasty, too.” Finally, Westwick jumped in and pleaded for peace, saying, “Don’t worry about my friends,” and, “We should all be happy. Let’s hug it up, guys.”

Sounds like Leighton is getting her diva on. Getting a bit too big for your britches or was she just having fun?

Photos: Fame

more photos of Leighton in corset and lingerie after the jump…

Besides as Blair Waldorf? Leighton is trying to get herself established as a singer. She has a new single “Somebody to Love” featuring Robin Thicke and the video has recently came out as well. Leighton wears very similar attire in her music video.. a bit raunchy and seductive.

Meester, 23, born April 9, 1986 in Forth Worth, Texas, Meester was born to a mother who was jailed at the time for her involvement in a drug ring that smuggled marijuana from Jamaica to the United States. Leighton maintained she had a normal upbringing despite her parents’ criminal past.

Meester once said: “Look, I could’ve turned out a lot worse.”
 

Don’t you just love The Gossip Girl?

Please visit Hollywood Teen Gossip to view more exclusive photo stills from Leighton Meester’s “Somebody to Love” music video.

Please visit Hollywoodteengossip to listen to Meester’s Somebody to Love and let us know what you think of our Gossip Girl star’s singing. I think she’s terrific!

photo: Fame

more photos of Leighton and Stan after the hop…

Page Six reports the two were spotted drinking rosé (fancy pants!) at some restaurant in Southampton, NY. Then like a page ripped right out of USWeekly, the two partied with Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore at some nightclub called Lily Pond.

Awww. Do you think Leighton and Sebastian will last?

Photos: Bauer Griffin

more photos of Meester and Weswick smooching below..

Then again all the Gossip Girl stars are so hot and they all could easily pair up one way or another. In reality Leighton is dating another Gossip Girl co-star Sebastian Stan. As for Ed he’s dating me.. not really, Westwick is dating another Gossip Girl co-star Jessica Szohr.

photos: Fame, Bauer Griffin

More pictures of Leighton after the tape…

Leighton was voted one of the hottest women online by Maxim this year. A sex tape can only help her for next year, too. From TMZ:

We’ve learned a Meester tape is being shopped around town. It was shot a few years back, and shows Leighton in mostly innocuous though nude scenes — with several big exceptions … one involving her very talented feet.

We’re told a company called celebhotline.com is negotiating for the video. The company’s spokesperson, Kevin Blatt told us, “We’ve seen the tape and we’re hoping to close the deal.”

Ooops. Talk about your past coming in to haunt you! Poor Leighton…wait, maybe this will help her career. It revved up Kim Kardashian’s and Paris Hilton’s careers.