Blake Lively Remembers Late Gossip Girl Co-Star Michelle Trachtenberg

Blake Lively is grieving the loss of her “fiercely loyal” and “courageous” Gossip Girl co-star Michelle Trachtenberg, who passed away at the age of 39.

“The first time I met Michelle, she was a burst of energy. You could feel the room change with her presence,” Lively, 38, shared on Instagram on Wednesday, February 26, alongside a nostalgic photo of the pair during the filming of The CW series. “Every action she took was at 200%. She laughed wholeheartedly at jokes, confronted authority when she sensed injustice, and put her heart into her work. She took immense pride in being part of this community and industry, despite its challenges. Her loyalty to her friends was unwavering, and she was brave for those she loved. She was bold, radiant, and undeniably her own person.”

Reflecting on her experiences with Trachtenberg, Lively fondly remembered how her co-star always wore “deliciously caramel-scented lip gloss,” emphasizing her desire to not just shine on screen but also to create pleasant experiences for those around her, right down to the exquisite scent of her lip gloss.

Lively described Trachtenberg as “kind, through and through,” as she pondered the reality of unexpected loss. “Time goes by,” she expressed. “One often assumes there will be another chance to reconnect with an old friend. To rephrase, the true tragedies of life are those that catch you off guard on an ordinary Tuesday. Cherish those you love and have loved. The world has lost a deeply sensitive and wonderful soul in Michelle. May her contributions and her enormous heart be cherished by all fortunate enough to witness her brilliance.”

Lively portrayed Serena van der Woodsen throughout all six seasons of Gossip Girl from 2007 to 2012. Trachtenberg, renowned for her early career in projects such as Ice Princess, Harriet the Spy, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, joined the cast as the deviously charming Georgina Sparks midway through the first season and remained a recurring guest star until the series concluded.

Law enforcement sources informed Us Weekly earlier on Wednesday that Trachtenberg was found unresponsive in her New York City apartment. No cause of death has been revealed, and the incident is not considered suspicious.

Trachtenberg’s representative later commented on the tragic news, stating to Us, “It is with profound sadness that we confirm Michelle Trachtenberg has passed away. The family asks for privacy during this difficult time. There are no additional details available at this moment.”