Is Ed Westwick's real-life binge eating and partying affecting his role as a binge-eating partier on Gossip Girl?

MSNBC reports:

Chuck Bass may become even more off-putting in future episodes of "Gossip Girl" -- and not just because of his slimy behavior. Actor Ed Westwick's constant partying is starting to show on his waistline, In Touch Weekly reports.

"Ed has been gaining a lot of weight -- not just around the waist, but throughout his whole body," said an on-set source. "First, the costume department had to buy him new, bigger pants. Then, his shirts and jackets got way too snug. The costumers even requested that producers talk to Ed -- they don't want Chuck to be fat!"

Usually it's actresses being held to unrealistic and strict body-image standards by their shows and the media. But if any teen drama would leak reports that one of its male stars is getting a little too full-figured, it's Gossip Girl. We haven't dealt with too many body-issues on screen since Blairemia struck during Season One. But it's common knowledge that the show is as much about pretty, skinny people wearing tight clothing and rubbing up on each other as it is about accidentally murdering people and not getting into Yale. Would the show, and its cold-hearted heartthrob, be less appealing if Blair's next insta-insult was "Sorry, you're Chunk Bass."?

But doesn't a huskier (read: normal) frame suit our Suit? He's stressed, so he eats. He's depressed, so he drinks. He's now living with the van der Woodsens, where Lily apparently insists on buying lavish trays of danishes and bagels every morning. He lost Blair. Maybe he's eating (and drinking) his feelings now. It could work. Imagine the ground-breaking storyline possibilities about male eating disorders in Season Three. Hello, Emmy!

On the other hand: no. He's still Chuck Bass. Hot is hot, slightly larger pink seersuckers or no. Let us get back to the real fake gossip now, please.







-Meghan Carlson, BuddyTV Staff Writer
Image courtesy of the CW
[Source: MSNBC]