Leighton Marissa Claire Meester (born 9th of April 1986) is an American actress and songwriter.
Her first role was in the drama “Law & Order” in 1992, followed by appearances in “Surface,” “Entourage,” “CSI: Miami”, “8 Simple Rules”, “24″, “7th Heaven” and “House MD”.
Her parents, Connie and Doug, were involved in a drug operation (to carry smuggling marijuana from Jamaica to the USA) and both were arrested but Connie was pregnant and after being convicted, she was taken to a prison in Texas.
Leighton was born in prison and her mother was given 3 months of freedom to stand with the new-born. Sentenced to 10 years in prison, after the 3 months passed, Leighton was left in the care of relatives. After 16 months spent in prison, Connie has been released and she dedicated to being a mother. Leighton said that she doesn’t judge her parents, always saying that her mother is her best friend.
Meester became interested in acting after she appeared in “The Wizard of Oz. Another important role was that of Savannah Barnnet of “Surface”. She was invited to act as Debbie Pendleton on Season 4 of the drama “24″, and the role of the teen Ali who falls in love with Dr. House in series with the same name.
In 2006 she had the leading role in the horror-comedy “Drive-Through”, for she which recorded the soundtrack.
Currently, Meester is Blair Waldorf in the TV series “Gossip Girl”. Critics have praised her performances and she was invited to play in “CSI: Miami”.
