It’s been seventeen years since Gossip Girl first captivated audiences, and the show’s impact still lingers. Among its beloved characters, Serena van der Woodsen, played by Blake Lively, remains a fan favorite.
The show’s executive producer, Joshua Safran, revealed a fascinating anecdote that showcased Lively’s innovative approach to communication. Back in 2010, the actress met Leonardo DiCaprio, and the pair started dating. Though their intrigue quickly fizzled out, Safran said that Lively had a peculiar way of communicating with her then-boyfriend. The producer found this to be an affirmation of the actress’s wit and intelligence.
Ahead of the curve: Blake Lively’s ‘new’ way of communicating
In an interview with Vanity Fair (as per Vogue), Gossip Girl’s executive producer spoke about various inside details of the show. Joshua Safran then mentioned the time lead actress Blake Lively started dating actor Leonardo DiCaprio and how it affected the show.
![Blake Lively as Serena van der Woodsen in Gossip Girl.](https://fwmedia.fandomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/22010811/blake-lively-in-gossip-girl-5-1024x569.jpg)
When I think about shooting the L.A. episodes, Blake was dating [DiCaprio] at the time, and she had this thing where she had a doll that she took photos of that she sent to Leo.
In 2010, when the pair first met and started going out, Lively was also shooting for her film Savages in Los Angeles. The actress had asked the show’s crew to shift to California for a while, to which they agreed. Safran recalled that the It Ends With Us actress had a peculiar way of communicating with DiCaprio.
Blake was way ahead of the curve. It was pre-Instagram. She was documenting her life in photographs in a way that people were not yet doing.
This unconventional method, which predated Instagram, demonstrated the actresses’ forward-thinking nature. The producer could not help but praise Lively, stating that she was ahead of everyone else even back then.
A glimpse into Blake Lively’s past
Before becoming Mrs. Deadpool, Lively used to date Titanic star DiCaprio. They met in 2010, and their whirlwind romance took them around the world, in various places. But news of their breakup came too soon, just after a few months. Later, the actress married Ryan Reynolds in just a year.
![Leonardo DiCaprio as Cobb in Inception.](https://fwmedia.fandomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/22011030/leonardo-dicaprio-in-inception-1024x683.jpg)
According to an insider who reported to US Weekly (as per Koimoi), the reason behind their separation was an unwillingness to settle down. But not DiCaprio; it was Lively who didn’t want to tie herself down at only 24-years-of-age.
He’s looking for someone to eventually start a family with …That’s not where she’s at. She’s only 24!
![Blake Lively as Nancy Adams in The Shallows.](https://fwmedia.fandomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/22011104/blake-lively-in-the-shallows-1-1024x429.jpg)
The Inception actor was surprisingly ready to bend the knee, but Lively was unwilling. This led to the pair’s breakup and the end of their unconventional but interesting relationship. Lively’s career has flourished since Gossip Girl, with notable films like The Shallows and A Simple Favor.
The actress’ charm and style continue to captivate audiences, solidifying her position as a Hollywood A-lister. This instance of her creativity in regards to maintaining communication with her partner only adds to her intrigue.
Gossip Girl is currently available to watch on HBO Max.