By the age of ten, she had already taken a leap toward her future. A modeling convention in Atlanta recognized her potential, and soon she moved to New York City to pursue work in commercials and modeling, all while still a child.
By fourteen, she moved again, this time to Los Angeles, where she began acting classes and auditioning for television pilots.
Her grit and determination paid off.
She made her TV debut in the late ’90s with a guest spot on the “Law & Order” episode titled “Disciple,” and after that, a string of roles kept her firmly on Hollywood’s radar.
Catapulting into fame
By the age of nineteen, she had landed a role that would turn her into a household name — a glamorous, clever, and unforgettable character on a hit teen drama that captivated millions. That role? Blair Waldorf in Gossip Girl; the character that would define a generation and launch her into the spotlight.
The show quickly gained a devoted cult following, influenced countless other teen dramas, and even spawned several international adaptations.
With fame came its own set of pressures: grueling sixteen-hour shoots, constant public scrutiny, and the challenge of navigating young adulthood under a global spotlight.
“I was young when I started the show. A lot more people were suddenly around and [sic] I was being looked at,” she admitted.
“If you don’t have the right perspective, you could definitely be confused by people being that nice to you or judging you for behavior that’s typical of a 20, 21-year-old […] I don’t know if it was the healthiest environment.”
