As a huge fan of Blake Lively, I must say that her journey in the entertainment industry is nothing short of captivating. Her transformation from Serena van der Woodsen on “Gossip Girl” to Emily in “A Simple Favor” showcases her versatility as an actress. It’s fascinating how she manages to embody characters that are equally intriguing, envious, and controversial, much like the duality of her roles.
Blake Lively is widely recognized for various aspects: her stylish fashion sense, her marriage to actor Ryan Reynolds, and the humorous social media exchanges they share. Yet, her career trajectory might have taken a distinct turn if she hadn’t been part of the TV series that most viewers associate her with.
In “Gossip Girl,” even though some aspects appealed more to adults, it was teens who became deeply engrossed in the show, propelling its fame to unprecedented heights. The series played a crucial role in solidifying The CW’s presence on television networks, and its youthful cast was extremely popular during that period. Blake Lively portrayed Serena van der Woodsen, the returning blonde after a year at boarding school. The narrative centered around Serena and her friends, navigating typical high school challenges from a privileged perspective, while trying to unmask the anonymous Gossip Girl.
After her stint as Serena brought her significant fame, Emily Lively’s life took a different turn. The success from that role laid a solid foundation for her wealth and opened doors for other opportunities, which ultimately led to changes in every aspect of her life.
Gossip Girl catapulted her career
Blake Lively didn’t start her major acting career with “Gossip Girl,” but it was this role that significantly boosted her success. Fans of Cecily von Ziegesar’s books, the source material for the show, had been eagerly anticipating Lively in the part of Serena van der Woodsen. As Lively herself explained to Collider, fans had already seen her in “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” and actively campaigned for her to play Serena. Show creators Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage listened to these fans and approached Lively, although it’s no secret that she almost declined the offer.
1. The series became a huge hit, serving as a cornerstone for The CW. During the Writers Guild of America strike in 2008, “Gossip Girl” was repeatedly broadcast, attracting new viewers and gradually growing a dedicated fanbase craving more content. This surge in popularity led the cast to be frequently spotted under media scrutiny, with photographers camped outside the set trying to capture images of the young actors, and an anonymous teen even hacking into emails to sell and leak Season 4 scripts.
Even though my career took off after Gossip Girl, I never truly felt like a full-fledged celebrity in the years following its end. As Vogue put it when they named me to their 30 Under 30 list in 2015, “I’ll never feel like I’ve truly arrived.” The individuals I admire the most are those who constantly strive for improvement and continue to elevate their game.
The show stopped her from going to college
Before being cast as Serena on “Gossip Girl”, Blake Lively was determined to abandon her acting career and focus on completing her high school education, having already tasted success with “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants”. In 2017, she explained to Collider that she felt it was important to finish high school before fully committing to acting, stating, “I thought, well I need to finish out high school. I’m not going to just jump on this acting train and hope it takes me somewhere.”
Instead of immediately enrolling in college, she opted to postpone it for a year to seriously pursue acting. However, she only filmed one movie during that period. At the end of the year, she found herself attending college, but “Gossip Girl” unexpectedly came her way. Though hesitant about the role, the production team offered her the opportunity to attend Columbia University part-time while shooting the series. This arrangement allowed her to balance her school and acting careers. They also mentioned that the show would slow down after the first season, enabling her to take classes more frequently than just one day a week.
In 2017, Lively shared some wisdom when she stated to Vanity Fair that if someone says ‘We promise, but we can’t put it in writing,’ there’s a reason they can’t commit to it in writing. Regrettably, the plan for her college education didn’t materialize as intended. However, instead of stalling, the show continued to progress and gain momentum.
She started her rise as a fashion icon
One way to rephrase that in a natural, easy-to-read manner could be: “One reason people loved ‘Gossip Girl’ was the fashion, and many magazines wanted to know how to achieve their favorite character’s style. As series hairstylist Jennifer Johnson told Vanity Fair, they would frequently call to do interviews on obtaining the ‘Serena look’.”
People sought design ideas from the series as well, a fact that retailers and fashion designers recognized promptly. As the series returned for its second season, numerous designers were eager to participate – they wanted their designs featured on either Blake Lively or Leighton Meester. Eric Daman, the costume designer, explained this phenomenon to Vanity Fair: “When we came back with Season 2, so many designers were lining up and wanting to be a part of it—they wanted their stuff on either Blake [Lively] or Leighton [Meeser].” This focus on the cast’s fashion choices established a lasting impact on Lively’s career in fashion. Consequently, lists detailing her outfits during press tours emerged, along with numerous articles showcasing her best looks throughout the years.
Instead of focusing on Serena’s school attire, Lively is often recognized for her bold outfits at the Met Gala. Her first attendance was in 2008, where she donned a black Ralph Lauren gown. Since then, she’s consistently pushed fashion boundaries, with highlights such as a blush Burberry dress in 2016, a deep red Versace dress in 2018, and a custom Versace gown inspired by the Statue of Liberty in 2022.
The show cemented Lively’s need for a private life
Following the show’s success with “Gossip Girl”, Blake Lively came to appreciate the value of maintaining certain aspects of her life as private, distinct from what was public knowledge about her. During her relationship with Penn Badgley, who was also a co-star on the series, they managed to keep their romance relatively low-key. In fact, show producer Joshua Safran wasn’t aware that they had split up until filming the Season 2 finale; the breakup had actually occurred several months earlier. As Safran shared with Vanity Fair, “It was incredible how they kept the breakup a secret from the crew – something unimaginable nowadays.” He expressed his wonderment about how they managed to pull it off.
After moving from the role on “Gossip Girl” to becoming a mother, Lively maintained her control over privacy by concealing her first pregnancy initially. When she chose to reveal it, she did so at her own pace, sharing a photo on her personal blog instead of giving the story to the media. As she expressed to Allure, “That was my way of claiming that moment for myself.” She added, “It was challenging because we value our privacy, but we don’t want our lives to be used by others for exploitation.”
Ryan Reynolds and Lively have always been guarded about certain aspects of their lives, like the name of their fourth child, which remained a secret for quite some time. However, during a speech given in July 2024 while promoting his film “Deadpool & Wolverine,” he unexpectedly revealed the name, showcasing yet another instance where they’ve chosen to share personal details on their own accord rather than through media speculation.
Gossip Girl created a foundation for her net worth
Blake Lively’s tenure on “Gossip Girl” kickstarted her ascent towards amassing a fortune valued at around $30 million. However, this wealth didn’t come about suddenly.
It’s been claimed that Leighton Meester, who played the role of Blair Waldorf on “Gossip Girl,” could have made up to $60,000 per episode. However, she hasn’t confirmed this amount herself. Some reports indicate she earned approximately $50,000 per episode during the show’s third season, providing a rough estimate. If this figure is accurate for each episode, it adds up to a substantial savings for the young actress (even after paying taxes), considering there are 121 episodes in total.
By virtue of her star status and value, Lively was able to secure higher wages for upcoming roles, such as the $800,000 she earned for playing Emily in “A Simple Favor” (2018). Fame not only provided negotiating power but also opened doors for endorsements and entrepreneurial ventures that have added to her wealth. In 2021, she founded Betty Buzz, a brand of sparkling drink mixers, followed by Betty Booze, an alcoholic canned seltzer line in 2023. Later in 2024, Lively introduced her own hair care line, Blake Brown, available at Target.
The series gave her a love for New York
As I stepped into the shoes of Serena, it became clear that I’d be spending quite a bit of time in the Big Apple, considering “Gossip Girl” was filmed on location there. Yet, being a New Yorker for an extended period wasn’t something I shied away from. After all, my home is now nestled in the heart of this vibrant state, sharing it with my beloved husband and kids.
As a resident of Burbank, California, my heart skipped a beat when the vibrant energy of New York City beckoned me. The allure wasn’t just about the city lights, but the endless opportunities for fashion that I found irresistible. I can’t help but gush when I talk about it to The Independent: “New York City has transformed my wardrobe and given me a sense of style I never knew I craved. Being there during couture fashion week was the cherry on top.” However, it’s not just the fashion that makes New York feel like home. One reason I adore this city is its European vibe, a product of its rich culture and history that California can’t quite match.
In 2012, even though “Gossip Girl” concluded, Lively and Ryan Reynolds bought a costly home in Bedford, New York as their main dwelling. They shared celebrity neighbors in the area and were just an hour away from the city. The subsequent year, they relocated to a bigger house in the same region, which would continue to serve as their primary residence. In 2017, the pair acquired a loft in Tribeca, indicating that they had no plans to depart from New York City anytime soon.
After the show, she needed a life reset
Following more than 100 episodes portraying Serena, Blake Lively felt it was time for a fresh start in her personal life. This transition involved taking a break from acting for several years. The CW series ended in 2012, and her next screen appearance was in the 2015 film “The Age of Adaline,” which signified her moving on from her teenage roles.
During a break from her usual activities, Lively started a fresh endeavor: a lifestyle blog called Preserve, which went live online in 2014. This platform aims to bring people together with various creators and enable them to swap stories and experiences. Lively expressed her ambition for the site to have an impact on people’s lives, either subtly or profoundly, as she once shared with Vogue. Additionally, Preserve served as a venue for Lively to disclose significant personal updates, such as her first pregnancy with her husband Ryan Reynolds.
The actress expressed a desire to work in an area where she could exercise more authority, as acting often didn’t offer much control, while pursuing her personal interests. In her own words to Allure, “It aligns with so many of my own passions, but it also allows me control,” Lively said. “If I can thrive in this field, it provides stability for my family and future children.”
Her blog didn’t last
Unfortunately, Preserve operated for just a year, as Blake Lively chose to shut down the venture prematurely. Despite her initial enthusiasm, she believed that the timing might have been off, causing them to struggle in the early stages as they strived to meet their objectives while already operational.
Closing the site was a challenging choice for Lively, given her anticipation of potential negative responses to what might be perceived as a failure. However, she stands tall with pride in sticking to her convictions. In her conversation with Variety, she expressed, “I never imagined I would muster up the courage to do this, to shut down the site and declare, ‘It’s not quite what I envisioned; it’s not as authentic and powerful as I believe it can and will become.'”
Beyond not aligning with her initial purpose for establishing the platform, the actress found that her fame and popularity were being exploited in a harmful manner to bolster the site, as promoting her stardom was never part of the plan. She explained, “It wasn’t supposed to be like that, but it sort of became the crutch because it was already operational and running—it’s challenging to rebrand when you’re moving at full speed; how do you catch up?” Now, another website has claimed the original domain name.
She shifted to more adult roles
Following a break, Blake Lively made a comeback on the silver screen, portraying the lead character in “The Age of Adaline.” This film signified a notable change in her acting career, as she moved away from roles that required her to play teenagers or star in lighthearted romances and comedies. However, it’s worth mentioning that she had briefly explored horror during her time on “Gossip Girl” and afterward.
Following her role in “The Age of Adaline,” Blake Lively’s subsequent film choices leaned towards thrillers. One such movie was the horror-thriller “The Shallows,” where she played a medical student trapped in the ocean off the coast of Mexico following a shark attack. She further explored this genre, taking on lead roles in 2018’s “A Simple Favor” and 2020’s “The Rhythm Section.” (Notably, the latter nearly cost her career due to a risky stunt.) Besides these projects, she has also delved into voice acting, providing voices for the 2024 films “IF” and “Deadpool and Wolverine.”
In the TV series “Gossip Girl,” Blair Waldorf, played by Blake Lively, starred in a drama involving high school drama. However, as her career progressed, she encountered a different type of drama, which was more focused on adult issues such as troubled marriages. An example of this is her role in the 2017 film “All I See Is You,” where she played Gina, a wife dealing with a failing marriage after undergoing a cornea transplant to improve her vision. Other dramas featuring Lively include the 2016 film “Café Society” and the upcoming 2024 release “It Ends with Us.”
Being Serena set her up for one of her greatest parts
Serena van der Woodsen, played by Blake Lively, is an iconic figure for many, yet she’s not the only character that makes viewers feel a complex mix of envy, love, and disdain. In the movie “A Simple Favor”, Emily once again demonstrates that lightning can indeed strike twice, leaving audiences feeling the same way about her character.
In the movie “A Simple Favor,” Emily, portrayed by Blake Lively, is a captivating PR director for a fashion company who exudes charm and mystery. Her life appears perfect with a rewarding job, an appealing spouse, and a luxurious home. The other parents are always speculating about her activities and future plans. One reason the character resonates so strongly is that Lively has experience playing such roles, as Serena had a similar allure, intriguing both her peers on “Gossip Girl” and viewers who tuned in each week.
Emily and Serena share striking resemblances not just in their physical attributes, but also in their personalities. They are kind towards individuals they consider worthy and allow into their lives, while being aloof towards others. Remarkably bold in expressing their thoughts, both women have no hesitation in voicing opinions that some might find unconventional or daring. Although the character of Emily wasn’t directly inspired by Blake Lively’s time on “Gossip Girl,” viewers can’t help but draw parallels between the two, with one Reddit user even describing it as “a portrayal of Serena as an adult.”
Gossip Girl is her only big TV project to date
Blake Lively’s breakout role in “Gossip Girl” solidified her position within the entertainment industry, however, it represents her most substantial television work to date. In 2009, she hosted “Saturday Night Live,” and made appearances on “Sesame Street” in 2018 and 2020. Since then, Lively has not taken on a major TV role since wrapping up her portrayal of Serena van der Woodsen.
As her first, and only television show, Lively experienced the TV production grind during the era of 20+ episode seasons. “We were shooting two to three episodes at once,” Lively said to Collider. “We would shoot 16 to 18 hour days every single day.” The teens would go from one crew to the next, everything in a bit of a rush as they tried to shoot all the material they needed to as they were handed lines at the last minute. It was a whirlwind type of experience that not everyone wants to do again, even if it made for a great lineup of episodes.
After diving headfirst into the world of films and never looking back (except for a momentary consideration in 2018), Rachel had discussions with Amazon Studios about a scripted fashion series for television. However, despite a preliminary deal with Amazon in 2019, neither the initial project nor another one materialized. [The Hollywood Reporter] highlighted these developments.
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2024-08-28 14:31