Who is Leighton Meester? Sure, you see her on television, you know her singing and acting prowess especially in the popular Gossip Girls but, what else do you really know about her?

Well, this gorgeous woman was born on April 9, 1986 with the full name Leighton Marissa Meester. Her birth seems really interesting because her mother, Connie, gave birth to her while serving time in a prison in Fort Worth, Texas because of her involvement in drug ring. She gave birth in a hospital and there was a half-way house where she nursed Leighton for three months. Connie was released after 16 months in jail.

But, despite those circumstances, Leighton claims that she had a good upbringing. She said, “It made me realize that you can’t judge anyone, especially your parents for what they’ve done in their past, because people change.”

Leighton spent her growing up years in Florida, and it was there learned some basics about acting. But, when she turned 11, Leighton and her mother moved to New York and soon after the move, she began her modelling career. Then, she again packed her bags and went to Los Angeles California. Her TV debut came in 1999 when she played Alyssa in Law & Order. After that initial success, more offers came pouring in for Leighton Meester. Some of the big projects she was involved in were Hangman’s Curse, Tarzan, Crossing Jordan, Veronica Mars, 24, 7th Heaven, and Entourage.