XOXO, Upper East Siders! Prepare yourselves for some juicy gossip about “Gossip Girl.” The hit TV show might have ended in 2012, but the drama and glamour still linger in the hearts of its fans. One of the show’s beloved stars, Kelly Rutherford, recently shared some intriguing insights while attending the French TV festival Series Mania.
Fond Memories and Excitement
“I miss that character, but I am still in touch with almost everyone from the show. I am going to Ed’s [Westwick] wedding, and I am so excited,” admitted the talented actress. In the show, Rutherford played the impossibly glamorous mother of Serena Van Der Woodsen, portrayed by Blake Lively.
The Unforgettable Lily Van Der Woodsen
Reflecting on her experience, Rutherford said, “It was before this whole super politically correct time. We were on the verge of it, and there is just a different energy about it. After the first season, we knew [it was huge].”
Rutherford highlighted how the character of Lily resonated with the audience. “The women I grew up with were very chic, but I hadn’t really seen a mother like that on TV. I didn’t realize how much people loved Lily – until now. At first, it was all about these kids. We were just parents. Then, they started to write for us more.”
Imperfect Parents and Fierce Moms
“Lily was a fierce mom, but when you are young, you don’t realize all the things your parents are dealing with. They have their own issues; they make mistakes. [In ‘GG’] you got to see that parents aren’t perfect. That’s what’s so cool about it,” she noted, expressing her desire to revisit the role.
A New Generation
However, the recently canceled “Gossip Girl” reboot featured a brand-new cast. Rutherford expressed her thoughts on the reboot, saying, “It would be interesting if it was like ‘Star Wars,’ and a few of us came back to pass the torch, or the lightsaber. I guess they thought it was just easier to create a new environment.”
Craziest Moments and Realistic Characters
Rutherford enjoys reminiscing about the show’s craziest moments. “There were times when we would read the script in the morning, and some people would go, ‘I would never say this, I would never do this.’ Oh yes – you would. We all have this lovely perception of ourselves, but we are dynamic beings. Lily would mess up and recover, and to be able to admit it as a parent was huge.”
Balancing Motherhood and Acting
During the show’s filming, Rutherford was a new mom and even brought her son to the audition. “It was a last-minute thing. You can barely shower as a new mother, but I showered, went there, and just read off the page. My son was 6 months old when we started. Later, I was pregnant during the third season, gave birth during the hiatus, and came back right away. It was a gift to play a mother like Lily.”
Expanding as an Actress
While discussing her career, Rutherford revealed her excitement about being cast in the French Prime Video series “Escort Boys.” She also reminisced about her early days in the soap opera “Generations,” recalling her nerves and the valuable lesson she learned about being brave.
Outrageous Roles and Fashionable Shows
Rutherford’s career took her to “Melrose Place,” where she worked alongside Marcia Cross. Reflecting on her character, she said, “You have to start somewhere with these characters, and the more outrageous things are, the better. We had so many episodes, so the writers had to come up with some crazy stuff. I was always such a tomboy, so to play this role was so funny. To play ‘the sexy lady.’ It was one of the first shows where fashion was an important part of it all.”
The Power of Fashion and Empowerment
Rutherford has always expressed herself through fashion and has earned millions of followers along the way. Describing her style as “not too showy, but still nice,” she believes it helped her connect with her roles. Commenting on female empowerment, she stated, “When it comes to female empowerment, it’s more about being it rather than talking about it. Sometimes we forget that we are all here to shine a light, and we have to find ways to do it. We are already empowered – we just have to rise to it.”
Action Movies and “Star Wars”
Despite already experiencing the thrill of being chased by Ghostface in “Scream 3,” Rutherford expressed her desire to tackle an action movie next. And yes, she wouldn’t mind joining the “Star Wars” universe either. “I could be a Jedi mom, to continue with that whole mom thing. Or Chewbacca. He has a GREAT outfit.”
Kelly Rutherford’s journey in the entertainment industry has been filled with iconic roles and memorable moments. As fans eagerly await her next project, they can’t help but appreciate the lasting charm of Lily Van Der Woodsen and the timeless allure of “Gossip Girl.”