Gossip Girl Stars Reflect on Iconic Couples' Endings

Penn Badgley and Leighton Meester weigh in on whether Dan and Blair ended up with the right people.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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More than a decade after Gossip Girl came to an end, stars Penn Badgley and Leighton Meester reflected on the show's iconic couples and whether the main characters ended up with the right people. Badgley, who played Dan Humphrey, and Meester, who portrayed Blair Waldorf, shared their thoughts on Dan's marriage to Serena van der Woodsen and Blair's relationship with Chuck Bass.

Why it matters

Gossip Girl was a cultural phenomenon that captivated audiences for six seasons, and the relationships between the show's central characters were a major part of its appeal. Fans have long debated whether the main couples ended up together in the series finale, and hearing from the actors who portrayed those characters provides unique insight into the creative decisions behind the show's conclusion.

The details

Badgley said he believes Dan and Serena "ended up with who they were meant to be with," while Meester agreed that Blair and Chuck also found their happily ever after. However, Badgley admitted he was initially surprised by the reveal that Dan was actually Gossip Girl all along, saying he "was in the hair and makeup trailer room" when he learned of the twist and was trying to "math it" because it was "tough." The actors also revealed that the writers had initially planned for Serena's brother Eric van der Woodsen to be Gossip Girl, but those plans were scrapped after the information was leaked to the public.

  • In February 2026, Penn Badgley and Leighton Meester discussed the Gossip Girl finale on Badgley's podcast Podcrushed.
  • Last April, Badgley recalled learning about Dan being Gossip Girl on the Call Her Daddy podcast.

The players

Penn Badgley

An American actor who played the role of Dan Humphrey on Gossip Girl.

Leighton Meester

An American actress who portrayed the character of Blair Waldorf on Gossip Girl.

Chuck Bass

A character on Gossip Girl, played by Ed Westwick, who was in a relationship with Blair Waldorf.

Serena van der Woodsen

A character on Gossip Girl, played by Blake Lively, who ended up marrying Dan Humphrey.

Eric van der Woodsen

The brother of Serena van der Woodsen, who was initially planned to be revealed as Gossip Girl before those plans were scrapped.

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What they’re saying

“I think he ended up with who he meant to end up with. And Blair ended up with Chuck. I think they ended up with who they were meant to be with.”

— Penn Badgley (Podcrushed)

“I think you're right.”

— Leighton Meester (Podcrushed)

“I was in the hair and makeup trailer room. I remember just being like, 'What the f--k? Huh? I'm trying to math it. It's tough. Alright.'”

— Penn Badgley (Call Her Daddy)

What’s next

The Gossip Girl cast and creators continue to reflect on the show's legacy and impact, providing fans with new insights into the iconic series.

The takeaway

Even over a decade later, the relationships and character arcs of Gossip Girl remain a topic of fascination for both the cast and the show's devoted fanbase, highlighting the enduring cultural significance of the beloved teen drama.