Even though the initial run of Gossip Girl came to an end in 2012, viewers still aren't over one thing—the revelation that Dan was actually Gossip Girl all along.
Joining us in our eternal horror at this truly ridiculous/unbelievable/stupefying detail is the one and only Serena van der Woodsen herself, Blake Lively. The actress re-posted a Gossip Girl meme on her Instagram Stories which read, "We watched the entire series to find out it’s Dan." Lively hilariously retorted, "YOU’RE surprised… Imagine how the writers felt."
Dan wasn't always going to be Gossip Girl. According to Refinery29, writer and executive producer Joshua Safran revealed at Vulture Festival in 2019, "One of the writers realized that Nate had never sent a tip in to Gossip Girl, which is true at least through the end of Season 5... Nate never sent in a tip in through all of those episodes, which is when we're like, 'Oh, well then he's Gossip Girl.'"
And prior to Nate being the most likely candidate, Serena's little brother, Eric, was apparently the frontrunner, until the internet thought he was a pretty likely suspect, too. Hence how we ended up with Dan Humphrey as Gossip Girl. Insert eye roll here.
It would seem that Penn Badgley has well and truly left Gossip Girl behind him, and has no plans to return for the show's forthcoming reboot. He recently told Entertainment Tonight, "I have not had conversations with any of the creators yet... I think it's pretty clear that, like, I've never been a proponent of Dan Humphrey's."
February 18, 2016
Out and about in Soho, New York City, Lively looked phenomenal in Louboutin boots and leather trousers. She carried a Chanel pearl-shape handbag.
October 16, 2017
Rise and shine! Lively stunned in a bright Brandon Maxwell set upon arrival to Good Morning America. She accessorized with Lorraine Schwartz and Ofira jewelry.
January 27, 2020
The actress stepped out in a gorgeous Ulyana Sergeenko floral dress, which she perfectly accessorized with black leather gloves and chic Christian Louboutin over-the-knee boots.
January 27, 2020
Lively looked effortless in this beautiful Valentino trench coat dress, which she accessorized with layered gold chain necklaces, combat boots, and vintage style gloves.
October 16, 2017
Blake Lively looked incredibly sleek and sporty in her Monse jersey, trousers, and Chanel bag while she attended the premiere of her film All I See Is You. Suddenly, I'm into sports.
August 19, 2018
The queen of sartorial style, Lively wore this breathtaking striped Zimmermann look and Christian Louboutin heels for the promotional tour of A Simple Favor.
January 28, 2020
Lively channeled Mary Poppins vibes in an Alaïa blouse and skirt with an ornate pair of boots and a fedora.
May 2, 2019
The actress shined in a yellow Retrofête dress (a nod to Pikachu?) and carried a Judith Leiber Couture clutch (in the shape of a ball!) to the premiere of Pokémon Detective Pikachu.
January 27, 2020
Playing with texture is Lively's forte. At The Rhythm Section screening in NYC, the actress pulled out all the stops in an off-the-shoulder velvet gown, leather gloves, and over-the-knee boots.
December 2, 2018
Lively attended fashion week with Gigi Hadid while dressed to the nines in a vintage Versace chainmail dress and Christian Louboutin heels.
September 24, 2018
Dressed in Christian Dior during fashion week, Lively looked ethereal in earth tones. She wore a sparkly pair of Christian Louboutin pumps.
August 18, 2018
A look Serena van der Woodsen would approve of and wear. Lively wore a Roland Mouret plaid pantsuit set, which was tailored to perfection.
September 19, 2018
Out and about in Paris, Lively was incredibly classy in a Chanel pinstriped suit set and Chanel jewelry.
February 12, 2020
To close out fashion week, Lively dressed from head to toe in one of her favorite designers: Michael Kors.
September 17, 2018
Lively loves a good pantsuit. Here, she is wearing a pink set from Ralph Lauren (shop similar pants here).
January 28, 2020
The actress isn't afraid to wear color. She wore this Fendi sweater and quilted shorts ensemble with Valentino boots while out and about.
September 10, 2018
Lively continues to inspire us with her menswear-inspired fashion. She wore this Givenchy blazer and trouser ensemble while out and out.
September 11, 2018
Lively was spotted in NYC while wearing a pair of Brunello Cucinelli pants and a sleek leather trench. She carried a cool croc-like handbag.
September 10, 2018
Lively sure loves her Valentino boots, she's worn them multiple times already! Here, she styled the shoes with a Wolk Morais denim look.
September 10, 2018
The actress brightened up a gloomy, rainy day in NYC with her orange ensemble. She wore a Bottega Veneta trouser set and Christian Louboutin penny loafers.
September 10, 2018
The star waved to her fans while wearing a colorful floral Gucci pantsuit set and periwinkle blue boots.
September 7, 2018
Lively traded the handbag for a cane as her main accessory while attending Ralph Lauren's 50th anniversary fashion week show in NYC. She, of course, wore an entire RL look.
August 20, 2018
The star was all smiles in a pretty purple blazer and matching bottom set from Vivienne Westwood.
August 17, 2018
This chic Brunello Cucinelli look is one for the books. The crushed velvet set combined with a pair of Christian Louboutin heels are dashing in all the right ways.
August 17, 2018
There's no color Lively can't wear, including bright green neon. She wore this blazer and pants set from Versace.
March 22, 2018
In a Monse ensemble, the actress looked sophisticated and cool while departing from an event at the Guggenheim in NYC.
October 16, 2017
In an outfit reminiscent of fashion movie icon Annie Hall, Lively wore a Ralph Lauren three-piece suit, carried a Michael Kors satchel, and re-wore her favorite pair Valentino boots.
January 28, 2020
This is how you wear blue on blue. Lively was perfection in this floral Ulyana Sergeenko printed dress and a cozy Max Mara fuzzy coat.
Amy Mackelden is a freelance writer, editor, and disability activist. Her bylines include Harper's BAZAAR, Nicki Swift, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, ELLE, The Independent, Bustle, Healthline, and HelloGiggles. She co-edited The Emma Press Anthology of Illness, and previously spent all of her money on Kylie Cosmetics.
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