- Fangirls Unite: “I Love LA” creator and star Rachel Sennott cast Leighton Meester because she’s been “obsessed” with her since her iconic role as Blair Waldorf in “Gossip Girl.”
- Perfect Performance: Co-star Odessa A’zion joins Sennott in praising Meester’s “perfect” and “real” portrayal of a girlboss-esque character, highlighting her impeccable comedic timing and facial expressions.
- Mutual Admiration: Leighton Meester credits Rachel Sennott with creating a fun, trusting, and collaborative environment on set that allowed her the freedom to explore and develop her character.
- Don’t Miss Out: The new HBO series, “I Love LA,” which gives fans a chance to see this dream team in action, premieres on November 2.
A Dream Come True for ‘Gossip Girl’ Fans
For many who grew up with the drama of the Upper East Side, Blair Waldorf remains a cultural icon. It turns out that Rachel Sennott, the creator and star of the new HBO series “I Love LA,” is just as big a fan as the rest of us. In a recent interview, Sennott and her co-star Odessa A’zion couldn’t stop gushing about the experience of working with the “Gossip Girl” alum, Leighton Meester, confirming what many fans have always hoped: she’s a dream to work with.
“Oh my god, I’m obsessed with Leighton, have been since Gossip Girl. I think she’s just so funny and talented, so funny in this show,” Sennott proclaimed, her excitement palpable. This long-standing admiration was the driving force behind casting Meester in the series.
Nailing the ‘Girlboss’ Role
In “I Love LA,” Meester steps into the role of Alyssa, the sharp, girlboss-style supervisor to Sennott’s character, Maia, at a talent management company. According to the cast, it was a role she was born to play.
Sennott explained the casting process, “I’m just a huge fan of hers, and then I Zoomed with her because I really thought she could be amazing for the role. She’s so lovely and cool, and down to improv and play, and was just a dream to work with. She’s so good.”
Odessa A’zion echoed the sentiment, specifically praising Meester’s nuanced performance. “[She] really nailed that character too,” A’zion explained. “I feel that her character, specifically, is kind of a hard one to get, because you don’t want to overdo it or anything, and she really did it perfectly. It felt really real.” A’zion also gave a special shout-out to Meester’s killer “facial expressions.”
Meester’s Perspective: A World of Fun
The praise wasn’t a one-way street. Leighton Meester also shared her positive experience on the set, crediting Sennott for fostering a uniquely creative and supportive atmosphere. Meester said Sennott created “a really fun world to live in,” which was instrumental in honing her comedy chops over the year-long filming process.
“There was just a lot of freedom there, a lot of trust, and an agreed-upon [sentiment of] like, ‘Everyone’s on this journey, we’re all on this crew,’” Meester recalled. This comfortable environment, she noted, was key to “finding not only your character, but the funny moment for each scene.” The mutual respect and admiration between the stars promise an electric on-screen chemistry that viewers won’t want to miss.
Image Referance: https://www.bustle.com/entertainment/i-love-la-rachel-sennott-odessa-azion-leighton-meester