Leighton Meester, known for her role as Blair Waldorf in the hit show Gossip Girl, continues to captivate audiences with her talent in ABC’s Single Parents.
Alongside her marriage to Adam Brody, their relationship is hailed as “couple goals” by their devoted fans.
Together, they have a beautiful daughter.
Despite her current fame and adoration, it may come as a surprise that Meester faced a difficult start in life.
While many are aware that she was born in prison, this was just the beginning of a long and arduous journey that led her to where she stands today.
Meester’s mother, Constance, found herself behind bars in 1986 due to her involvement in a marijuana smuggling operation with her then-boyfriend Doug, who is also Meester’s father.
This smuggling ring extended to include her maternal aunt and grandfather.
In fact, Meester’s aunt made history by becoming the first woman on the U.S.
Marshals’ 15 Most Wanted List after escaping from prison.
Although Meester was not born within the prison walls, her mother was transferred to a hospital for the birth.
However, after her daughter’s arrival, she still had 16 months of her sentence remaining.
Meester spent her early months in a halfway house before being placed under the care of her grandmother until her mother’s release.
Meester holds no judgment against her mother for her past.
She acknowledges the hardships her mother endured before her birth and believes both her parents are good people.
Her childhood was marked by turbulence following her mother’s release from prison and her parents’ subsequent divorce.
The family faced financial struggles, yet Meester insists that her upbringing was not a negative one.
Despite the challenges, she recalls fond memories of love and fun.
Her father views her rise to fame as an inspiration, stating that she proves dreams can be achieved by all.
At a young age, Meester began booking modeling gigs for prominent brands like The Limited Too and Ralph Lauren.
Her family relocated to New York City to support her budding career, but the high cost of living posed additional hardships.
They grappled with bills and basic necessities.
Meester channeled her troubled past into her acting career, maturing at a faster pace than most children.
She saw her difficult start as a gift, propelling her towards success in her art.
Even during her early years, she gravitated towards adult acting classes and found it challenging to relate to typical adolescent experiences.
Her drive always centered around achieving success in her craft.
As a result, she had little time for a conventional teenage social life and missed out on traditional milestones like prom.
Ironically, at the age of 21, Meester landed the role of high schooler Blair Waldorf, living out some of the experiences she had missed in real life on screen.
Her relationship with her mother became strained as Meester achieved greater success.
At one point, she financially supported her mother and younger brother, but when she discovered her mother’s misuse of funds, she cut off the support.
This led to bitter legal battles and harsh exchanges.
Although the lawsuits eventually faded away, they serve as a reminder of the vast difference between Meester’s humble beginnings and her current trajectory.
