Kristen Bell and Leighton Meester reunited on February 23, 2025, at the SAG Awards, delighting fans with their nostalgic nod to their iconic roles from the series Gossip Girl. Hosting the evening, Bell brought back the beloved gossip maiden's voice as her alter ego, serving up laughs as she introduced the evening’s festivities.
The SAG Awards, held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, set the scene for this celebration, with Bell and Meester playing off their past relationships as co-stars. During the ceremony, Bell staged surprise reunions with several former castmates, channeling the spirit of her Gossip Girl character.
Bell opened her hosting with lighthearted skits, delivering supposed “gossip” about the attending nominees, such as Jeff Goldblum and Timothée Chalamet. But, just when viewers thought they’d hear the latest Hollywood secrets, it turned out to be all about food. “Leighton, none of this is gossip,” Bell quipped, turning to Meester, who humorously explained, “I’m sorry. I’m just really hungry.”
The playful banter continued as Bell joked about the quality of gossip presented by another film, saying, “The popes in 'Conclave' are probably smarter at gossiping than us,” before transitioning to the cast of Conclave. This line humorously dubbed the movie “Gossip Girl 2.0” and mirrored the playful vibe of their original show.
The performance signaled not just nostalgia for their Gossip Girl days, but also excitement for their future projects together. Recently, it was announced Meester would join Bell and her husband, Adam Brody, for Netflix’s comedy-drama Nobody Wants This. This development is highly anticipated as both actresses have previously collaborated with Brody on several projects.
Bell declared, “Leighton Meester is blessing us with her presence,” as she expressed her excitement over Meester’s new role and their continued collaboration on-screen. This preview adds another layer to their longstanding connection not just from the past but also from their current and future endeavors.
Beyond Bell and Meester's reunion, the 2025 SAG Awards showcased numerous other nostalgic moments, with Bell also reuniting with her The Good Place co-stars Ted Danson and William Jackson Harper for another light-hearted segment. The competition between the three escalated comically to the point where it echoed scenes from their original show, invigorated with improvisation and humor.
Viewers also enjoyed heartwarming reunions between other actors, including Zooey Deschanel and Max Greenfield from New Girl, and David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson from The X-Files. These moments emphasized the shared history and camaraderie prevalent among Hollywood's finest.
Kristen Bell's hosting was full of surprises and laughter, proving her significant impact not only as the voice of Gossip Girl but also as a cherished figure among her peers. Audiences revelled not only in the humor but also the palpable chemistry between her and Meester, affirming their status as significant contributors to the pop culture of the 2000s.
Indeed, Bell's recent revelations about Meester's rejoining the sitcom will only heighten interest as fans yearn for their characters’ resurgence on-screen. The performance at the SAG Awards was more than just entertainment – it was a heartfelt reminder of the friendships and partnerships formed throughout their careers.
All eyes now look forward to seeing Bell and Meester together again, this time within the captivating world of Nobody Wants This, where new stories will be told and more fond memories created, signifying another exciting chapter for these stars we have watched grow together over the years.