Gossip Girl, the controversial teen drama that revolves around the lives of socialite young adults in New York's Upper East Side, has resumed shooting for season 2 shortly after The CW announced last month that the series would return for yet another run. Unfortunately, actress Nan Zhang, who played sidekick Katy Farkas, isn't coming back.
According to show creator Josh Schwartz, Zhang's sudden departure was due to her decision to focus on school. Zhang enrolled in Brown University during the writers' strike and "didn't tell anyone on the show." However, those on the set of
Gossip Girl are reportedly pointing their fingers in co-star
Leighton Meester's direction.
Meester, who portrays Queen Bee of the social scene Blair Waldorf, has allegedly been using her on-screen character's controlling and manipulative tendencies behind the scenes as well. A show insider reveals that breakout star Meester didn't get along with the Asian actress, which resulted to Zhang's exit on the series.
"She was pushed off the show," a source told the
New York Daily News. "Leighton didn't like her, and she went."
On the other hand, Meester's rep is claiming that there's absolutely no truth to what sources have been spreading. But still, fans of the show are now wondering if playing the stuck-up socialite on-screen has finally gone to Leighton's head.
Meanwhile, the appearance of a new Asian actress on the set of
Gossip Girl last week suggests that Zhang may have been replaced. Nevertheless, some speculate that her character has been written out.
"Jenny [played by
Taylor Momsen] has a new group of random b*tchy girls as friends," the source said, explaining why Katy's close pal Isabel, played by Nicole Fiscella, remains in the picture.
Gossip Girl, which also features
Blake Lively (Serena Van Der Woodsen),
Chace Crawford (Nate),
Ed Westwick (Chuck), and
Penn Badgley (Dan), returns with new episodes beginning Monday, April 21 on The CW.
What do you think about the departure of Nan Zhang?
-Kris De Leon, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: New York Daily News
(Image courtesy of The CW)