Nearly a month after news surfaced that she was born in prison, Leighton Meester is breaking her silence on her family’s past.
“It makes me very nonjudgmental and open-minded,” Meester told Us Weekly. “And I think it just makes me appreciate the things that I have now.”
The actress’ parents, Connie and Doug, were involved in a drug ring that smuggled 1,200-pound shipments of marijuana from Jamaica into the United States, Us reported. Both of them served time for the operation, and it was during the beginning of Connie’s sentence that she gave birth to Leighton in a Texas federal prison in 1986.
Connie — who was sentenced to 10 years, but was released after 16 months — now works as a screenwriter. Doug, who split from her in 1992, is in construction.
Though her parents’ past is “questionable,” as Doug puts it, the Gossip Girl’s relationship with them is anything but, especially with Connie.
“She’s always there for me no matter what,” Meester said. “I swear, that woman knows everything.”
As for her daughter, Connie calls the 22-year-old, “very gifted,” “very talented” and “very intelligent.”
“I love her dearly,” she said. (Source)
The US Weekly featuring Leighton on the cover should be on newsstands now. We’ll have scans up as soon as we can. If you have any please donate them (credit will be given!).
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Leighton Meester is doing her part to end domestic violence, taking to the runway today to raise awareness for the issue. “I think it’s an issue that everyone can take part in because it applies to everyone,” the Gossip Girl actress told reporters in N.Y.C’s Union Square. “You can be a victim or someone you love can be a victim. The more people are aware, the more it can be prevented.” Meester said as a woman, she has a special interest in the issue. “No matter who is affected by domestic violence, I take it personally, so I think it’s partly my responsibility to talk about it.” The actress donated an old pair of Stuart Weitzman shoes for Marshall’s Shop ‘Til It Stops campaign, a drive to end domestic violence. Clad in a Brian Reyes and another pair of Stuart Weitzman heels, Meester credits her hit show with her transformation into a fashionista favorite. “I adore fashion, and I really have become so much more comfortable in it lately,” she said. “Because of the show, I’ve become more aware of trends and designers, and I’m so much more comfortable dressing up and going all out now.” In between Gossip Girl and New York nightlife, Meester likes to keep it casual. “The more I do the show, the more it makes me appreciate being able to just wear jeans and a T-shirt in my daily life.” Doing good and looking good — does it get better? 
