It's safe to presume that Leighton Meester views her relationship with Adam Brody through a lens unclouded by the iconic status that others might ascribe to it. From the outside looking in, fans perceive their union as the culmination of a fairy tale, bringing together stars from two seminal early-2000s shows – Gossip Girl and The O.C. – in real life. Yet, for Meester and Brody, their bond is marked by a refreshing understatement. This philosophy underpins their decision to opt for an intimate wedding, as Meester recently revealed to Bustle, stating, "On set and in life, I've donned fancy dresses, hit my marks, and recited lines. I didn't want our wedding to echo that experience; I craved something intimate and personal."
In 2014, Meester and Brody, now parents to a daughter and a son, tied the knot in a secluded ceremony, steadfastly maintaining a veil of privacy over their personal lives. The actress behind Good Cop/Bad Cop further elucidated that while she does cherish the spotlight as an actor, it doesn't dictate her personal choices.
The notion of Blair Waldorf from Gossip Girl and Seth Cohen from The O.C. forming a real-life partnership sounds like the stuff of legends. A case in point: the viral video of Brody passionately kissing Meester after winning Best Actor in a Comedy for Nobody Wants This at this year's Critics' Choice Awards. Even Erin Foster, the creator of Nobody Wants This, which stars Brody and will feature Meester in its second season, acknowledges their unique appeal. "They are both millennial icons whose real-life union and subsequent family formation has blown people's minds," she told Bustle.
However, their life together is marked by a simplicity that belies their iconic status. Meester prioritizes her family above all else, especially when considering new acting projects. "I've turned down numerous opportunities because I want to be with them," she explained. "Being apart from them isn't my cup of tea. I'm sure many can relate, but I'm particularly adverse to it. For the right role, I'd probably find a way to make it work, but I'm not about leaving my family for a year. We have a system in place that allows me to carefully consider job opportunities while embracing every other facet of life."
