Leighton Meester on the set of "Gossip Girl" in NYC. Photo: Ray Tamarra, Getty Images
Apparently, I wasn't the only one who was keen to catch a glimpse. Also waiting in the wings was most of New York City's teenage girl population.
Here are my observations:
- Hordes of girls clad in "Gossip Girl"-inspired attire, teetering in their heels as they huddled in little clicks, cameras ready, waiting for the bodyguard outside Leighton Meester's door to indicate that she was ready.
- Aside from the overwhelming number of chattering teenage girls, the scene also seemed to attract every passerby imaginable: French tourists, bankers on lunch break and several soccer moms with their kids, all straining their necks to see what the ruckus was all about. (If they only knew!)
Actor Matthew Settle drowns out the female catcalls with his iPod. Photo: Lindsey Schickner
- Leighton finally emerges in a long sundress with scalloped lace detail and flip-flops, gives her fans a sweet smile and a hello and is led into The National Arts Club, located on prestigious Gramercy Park, by a sea of towering bodyguards. Girls climb over each other to sneak a peek.
- Matthew Settle, who plays dear ol' dad Rufus Humpfrey, walks by casually as several of the older female spectators issue catcalls. (The actor has obviously done this before, as he is also plugged into his iPod.)
- Jessica Szohr somehow manages to slip through the crowd in an incognito ensemble that includes a hat and dark shades.
- After the actors enter The National Arts Club, the devoted pack of teenage fans sit back down on the sidewalk, waiting for the next star to breeze by.
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