Blake Lively marks 18-year Gossip Girl anniversary with unseen photos of Michelle Trachtenberg
Lively posts 20 previously unseen images honoring Michelle Trachtenberg, who died earlier this year, as the Gossip Girl legacy continues amid ongoing legal disputes around her co-star Justin Baldoni.
Blake Lively marked the 18th anniversary of Gossip Girl by sharing a set of 20 unseen photos from the CW drama, including moments with her late co-star Michelle Trachtenberg. Trachtenberg died earlier this year at age 39 from complications of diabetes, a death confirmed by the medical examiner and noted by family and representatives. The images capture Lively as Serena van der Woodsen and Trachtenberg as Georgina Sparks, among other cast members, during the show’s six-season run that produced 121 episodes.
Trachtenberg’s tenure on Gossip Girl spanned 28 episodes, and the ensemble also featured Penn Badgley, Leighton Meester, Ed Westwick and Chace Crawford. The throwback photos come as fans remember the show’s impact on teen drama and the careers it helped launch for Lively and her colleagues. In February, following Trachtenberg’s passing, Lively publicly honored her late co-star, writing about the energy Trachtenberg carried into a room and the way she gave 200% to every role and moment she pursued.
Lively described Trachtenberg in personal terms, reflecting on a friendship built in and around the series. She wrote that Trachtenberg was “electricity”—a phrase she used to convey the immediacy of Trachtenberg’s presence—and noted that she faced authority with conviction, cared deeply about her work and remained fiercely loyal to her friends. The actor’s memorial posts painted a portrait of a bright, generous presence who enjoyed life and inspired those around her to bring their best, even in challenging moments.
Trachtenberg’s family later confirmed that the cause of death was natural, a conclusion the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner documented in its findings. Relatives had previously indicated a wish for privacy regarding autopsy results, citing religious reasons for not releasing those details publicly.
Beyond the Gossip Girl reunion notes, the moment also intersects with a broader legal dispute involving Lively and her It Ends with Us co-star Justin Baldoni. The 2024 film—or the surrounding production—became the subject of a high-profile legal clash, with Lively alleging on-set harassment and Baldoni denying the charges. The confrontation extended into separate defamation actions, including a suit filed by Baldoni against The New York Times over its coverage of the allegations, and a suit by Baldoni against Lively, her publicist and Reynolds. In June, a judge dismissed Baldoni’s lawsuit, marking a setback for his efforts to advance the case against the actress and her circle. The civil actions have drawn attention away from the film’s release while shining a light on the complexities of industry disputes in the wake of public accusations.
As fans recall Gossip Girl’s influence and the ensemble’s chemistry, Lively’s online tribute provides a reminder of Trachtenberg’s lasting role within the show’s narrative universe and its cultural footprint. The photos serve not only as a personal homage but also as a retrospective glimpse into a moment in television history when a generation of young actors helped redefine teen drama for a new era.