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You won’t believe what Leighton Meester looked like before finding Gossip Girl fame as Blair Waldorf

By Matthew Martinez

IT'S been a whole decade since Gossip Girl came onto our screens, and made Leighton Meester a household name.

As Blair Waldorf, the actress was a preppy princess and Queen Bee of her fancy New York private school.

This is Leighton Meester as you will remember her, playing Blair Warforf in Gossip Girl, but what did she look like before she made it big?

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This is Leighton Meester as you will remember her, playing Blair Warforf in Gossip Girl, but what did she look like before she made it big?Credit: Getty Images - WireImage

But the 30-year-old's life wasn't always quite so glamorous.

When she was born, Leighton's mum was serving a prison sentence for her involvement in a drug ring smuggling marijuana from Jamaica to the United States.

Leighton spent the first three months of her life in a halfway house, before her mum returned to prison and her baby put in the care of her grandmother.

In her pre-Gossip Girl days Leighton, pictured in 2004, appeared in 8 Simple Rules, Veronica Mars, 24 and Entourage

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In her pre-Gossip Girl days Leighton, pictured in 2004, appeared in 8 Simple Rules, Veronica Mars, 24 and EntourageCredit: Getty Images - WireImage
She also starred in a TV series called Tarzan - which only ran for eight episodes

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She also starred in a TV series called Tarzan - which only ran for eight episodesCredit: Getty Images - WireImage

Leighton moved to New York with her mum when she was 11 and LA when she was 14, in the pursuit of acting work.

She modelled for Ralph Lauren and Limited Too, alongside Amanda Seyfried, and made her acting debut in Law & Order at the age of 14.

Leighton, pictured in 2006, effortlessly changes her look for different roles

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Leighton, pictured in 2006, effortlessly changes her look for different rolesCredit: Getty Images - WireImage

MOST READ IN LIVING

Leighton pictured only a number of months before she started filming for Gossip Girl

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Leighton pictured only a number of months before she started filming for Gossip GirlCredit: Getty Images - FilmMagic

On screen in Gossip Girl, Blair wore something of a uniform with her signature headband and classic uptown look.

However, outside of this role, Blair jumps from trend to trend - changing her style and effortlessly dying her hair from a deep brunette to icy blonde.

She smiles a lot more off camera, too.

Want more? This is what the little boy from Jumanji looks like now, and you won't believe how Debbie Dobson from Byker Grove has changed.

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