Sebastian Stan is reminiscing about his first serious love during his time on the iconic series Gossip Girl. In a recent interview with Variety, the 42-year-old actor reflected on his relationship, revealing how it shaped his understanding of love.
“It was the first time I was in serious love with somebody,” Stan shared, recalling the simplicity of life while filming the CW series in New York City. Although he did not explicitly name Leighton Meester, his co-star and girlfriend from 2008 to 2010, it is clear he was referencing their time together.
Stan, who portrayed Carter Baizen across 11 episodes of Gossip Girl, has largely kept his personal relationships private. However, he has previously expressed admiration for Meester, describing her in 2009 as “the most interesting, sophisticated, talented, and extremely funny person” he knew.
Following their breakup in 2010, Meester opened up about the emotional toll of their split in an interview with Seventeen. “I’ve only had one experience where it was really hard and I was really sad when it ended,” she reflected. “But that’s what taught me a lot about myself and love and life.”
Since their split, Stan has been linked to several co-stars, including Jennifer Morrison and Margarita Levieva, as well as Dianna Agron and Spanish actress Alejandra Onieva. Most recently, he was seen with Malignant actress Annabelle Wallis, with whom he was photographed holding hands in 2022.
Meanwhile, Meester has found stability in her marriage to actor Adam Brody, whom she wed in 2014. The couple shares a seven-year-old daughter, Arlo Day, and a son born in 2020. In a 2023 interview with E! News, Meester described her relationship as “normal, with all the good and the hard,” emphasizing their mutual respect and commitment to nurturing their bond.