Leighton Meester Breaks Silence on Michelle Trachtenberg's Death
Leighton Meester is still reeling from Michelle Trachtenberg's death.
The Gossip Girl alum opened up about her former costar's passing, admitting that the news hit her hard since she is the same age as Trachtenberg, who died in February from complications of diabetes mellitus at 39.
“It’s devastating," Meester shared in her recent Flaunt cover story. "She was a wonderful, talented person, and everyone loved her. It’s very, very sad for everyone who knew her."
Looking back at Gossip Girl, which ran for six seasons from 2007 to 2012, Meester added that she now can see how the show's legacy "continues—in some ways, even more so than back then—to live on, which is incredible."
It's the same sentiment shared by castmate Penn Badgley, who told E! News in April that Trachtenberg's death was "really surreal, really saddening."
“What I remember of her is she was incredibly quick to laugh," the 38-year-old said. "She was really joyous."
And for Blake Lively, she'll always remember Trachtenberg's "electricity."
"You knew when she entered a room because the vibration changed," the It Ends With Us actress wrote on Instagram Stories in February. "She laughed the fullest at someone’s joked, she faced authority head on when she felt something was wrong, she cared deeply about her work, she was proud to be a part of this community and industry as painful as it could be sometimes, she was fiercely loyal to her friends and brave for those she loved, she was big and bold and distinctly herself."
But most of all, Lively, 37, said she'll remember how Trachtenberg "always had yummy caramel smelling lipgloss on."
"Because she didn’t just want to sparkle on camera," she explained, "she liked creating a nice experience for anyone who was in her orbit, even down to the subtle smell of her lipgloss because she cared about the sweet details."
For more celebrity tributes to Trachtenberg, keep reading.
"Michelle, listen to me," the Buffy alum captioned her Feb. 27 Instagram post. "Listen. I love you. I will always love you. The hardest thing in this world, is to live in it. I will be brave. I will live… for you."
"I am deeply saddened by the news of Michelle’s passing," the Buffy the Vampire Slayer alum wrote on Instagram. "She brought a loving energy to the set of Buffy. My thoughts are with Michelle’s family and friends."
"Michelle was one of a kind," the Gossip Girl alum wrote on Instagram. "I remember her coming on set for the first time and just absolutely owning it. She was a force of nature and just so so unapologetically funny and magnetic.. remembering those years with a big smile. Just a terrible loss. Love you."
The Adventures of Pete & Pete alum wrote this about his former costar:
"We grew up learning how to make people laugh together. More importantly, we learned to make each other laugh and pull pranks on everyone. We were doing improv when it was still called playing pretend to get laughs. She was a master of the clothespin game, tagging any and everyone she could."
He continued, "She once got upset when I got my 1st bass on set because I wouldn’t hang out during lunch. She hid the cable so I couldn’t play through the amp. I got the message."
Danny called Michelle "a bright light, firecracker and caring person who spent a lot of time and effort advocating for people who needed a louder voice."
He added, "Michelle was someone to look up to in this business and to the general world at large. She will be missed."
"My heart is heavy today," the Buffy alum wrote on Instagram. "We have lost a beautiful soul. Michelle was fiercely intelligent, howlingly funny, and a very talented person. She died much too young, and leaves behind scores of people who knew and loved her."
James continued, "My heart goes out to her family who are good people, and are suffering the greatest loss anyone could bear. I hope everyone can give them space to heal in this most difficult time. Godspeed Michelle. You are missed."
"Sweet soul," the Buffy alum, who played Faith, wrote on her Instagram Story. "So young. So heartbreaking. May you rest in peace, little slayer sis. Holding MT's family + friends in our [hearts]."
"What a terrible show and loss, my god," the Underworld actress wrote on Instagram Story. "My heart aches for your mama. Fly safe little bird."
"She was electricity," the Gossip Girl alum wrote on Instagram Story. "You knew when she entered a room because the vibration changed. Everything she did, she did 200%. She laughed the fullest at someone’s joked, she faced authority head on when she felt something was wrong, she cared deeply about her work, she was proud to be a part of this community and industry as painful as it could be sometimes, she was fiercely loyal to her friends and brave for those she loved, she was big and bold and distinctly herself."
Blake also remembered Michelle's " yummy caramel smelling lipgloss," noting that the late star wore it because "she liked creating a nice experience for anyone who was in her orbit."
"The world lost a deeply sensitive and good person in Michelle," she added. "May her work and her huge heart be remembered by those who were lucky enough to experience her fire."
"It is never easy to see someone so young, bright, beautiful, and full of promise pass away," the Buffy alum wrote on Instagram. "It’s devastating, actually."
"I would be remiss not to acknowledge the undeniable impact she has had on the lives of her fans worldwide," she continued. "She will live on through her performances and her love of storytelling forever."
The actress, who played Cordelia in the teen drama, concluded, "Rest easy, Michelle."
The Dawson's Creek alum, who worked with the actress on the series Mercy, shared a throwback video of her rapping Nicki Minaj's verses on Robin Thicke's 2009 song "Shakin' It for Daddy" on a car ride.
James called Michelle "a wild force of nature: raw talent that became white hot when focused (which she could do at will in .01 seconds), funny, acerbic."
He said he loved rapping at the same time as her because the "ride home was never boring."
"One night I convinced her to let me record a typical ride through the Holland Tunnel to share on the early days of Twitter," he continued. "This is how I'll remember you, Michelle. God bless you and your family. Praying for y’all."
The 17 Again actress wrote of her onscreen daughter, "I will miss you, Michelle."
"My love Michelle you will be forever loved and missed by so many," the fashion designer shared on Instagram Story, "and I will never forget all of our memories together for the rest of my life."
The Sex and the City alum wrote of her Ice Princess costar, "Rest in peace sweet Michelle."
"Peace out little one," Clare—who played Glory on Buffy—wrote on Instagram. "A talented & kind soul gone way too soon! You’re free to fly now."
"When I met this girl 17 years ago, I knew we’d be friends," the Gossip Girl alum wrote on Instagram. "She was smart and sassy, bold and sensitive, funny as f--k and filled with fire. She was simply awesome."
"She was always in my corner and there to support me whether I was right or wrong," she continued. "I will miss you everyday my love..I think we truly understood each other and I am so grateful to have had a friend like you in my life for so long."
She also shared a message to Michelle, adding, "You were a true friend to me which is a rarity in this world and I can’t believe I won’t hear your voice again..I hope you’re f--king up heaven for both of us."
The Nickelodeon star wrote of his fellow alum, "Our first Nick movie star has departed us!! She was my friend and now she rests!! Check on your people!!!"
Michelle's Harriet the Spy costar told Us Weekly, "Heartbreaking. I loved her very much. She struggled the last few years. I wish I could have helped.”
"I'm so sorry your bright light died so young," the actress—who played Anya on Buffy—wrote of her former costar. "Our Buffy family lost a little sister today... Rest in peace lovely Mish Mish. You were loved."
"She had a fierceness but also a deep caring and softness with those she trusted," the Orange Is the New Black actor wrote on Instagram. "She always stood up for her friends, was incredibly talented and had the darkest sense of humor. She had the spirit of a true New Yorker."
Though the two were "really close but lost touch for quite a while," Matt said he was "always sure that we’d cross paths again."
"I was looking forward to meeting as the people we’d grown to become," he added. "You will be missed by so many. Love you, Michelle."
"One of the most precious people I've ever know," the Broadway star wrote on Instagram Story. "I will never forget you, Michelle."
Michelle's ex-boyfriend, whom she dated between 2004 and 2006, penned a tribute on social media.
"Incredibly sad to hear about Michelle’s passing," he wrote. "She was an incredible person and I will always remember the years we spent together fondly. She was loving, quirky and would never pass up a law and order SVU marathon:)"
He added, "My condolences to her mother Lana and sister Irene! This is an incredible loss!"
"We met on the kid actor audition circuit and had so many fun, unique adventures both in and out of the Biz together, even coming out to act in LA around the same time as young teens," the Halloweentown alum wrote on Instagram. "As older adults we didn’t see eachother as often but our bond over those early days was always there-as was her outgoing, feisty, funny personality and deep love of acting."
She added, "Sending so much love to her mom Lana and her sister Irene whom she loved so much.I love you, Michelle. Rest easy."
"I'm heartbroken to hear of the passing of @michelletrachtenberg," Melissa wrote on Instagram, alognside a throwback clip from Clarissa Explains It All. "So young, so talented and so sweet!"
She added of the clip, "I think this was about 1992 and the episode was an idea I had about babysitting a total nightmare. But Michelle was nothing like her character and even this young, we got along wonderfully."
“We are deeply saddened by the news of Michelle’s passing," the Gossip Girl creators and showrunners shared with NBC News. "Michelle was so funny, kind, and talented. Her portrayal of Georgina Sparks was an iconic fan favorite, and grew from a one season villain to a beloved character who returned over the course of six seasons."
The pair continued, "She was a delight to have on set and will be deeply missed. Our thoughts are with her family.”
"My heart is breaking for my childhood friend," the Matilda alum wrote on Instagram Story . "Your memory will be a blessing, Michelle."
"Oh Michy," Melissa wrote on Instagram in tribute to her A Holiday for Love costar. "And we lived so close to one another…..my heart aches for your family and all those who loved you so… @michelletrachtenberg #ripsweetgirl"
"So sad to hear of the passing of @michelletrachtenberg," the Gossip Girl alum wrote on his Feb. 25 Instagram Story. "Sending prayers."
He closed his message with the praying hands and white heart emojis.
"So very sad..." Michelle's Buffy The Vampire Slayer costar wrote on social media of her passing. "Horrible News. RIP and prayers to her and her family."
The Gossip Girl alum—who played Damien Dalgaard in the teen drama—described Michelle's passing a "loss."
"Michelle was tough and a force," he added in his Instagram post. "Just a kid, so sad."
The Angel alum offered his support to those closest to the actress, writing on Instgram, "My heart goes out to her family and loved ones. What a beautiful spirit who left an amazing legacy… Rest In Peace, dear one."
eonline
%3Aquality(70)%2Fcloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com%2Fliberation%2F77J65FYE75BPTNK3TP4BD64POQ.jpg&w=3840&q=100)