Gossip Girl is BACK

Everything you need to know about the GG Reboot

by CHLOE HECHTER ★ JULY 9, 2021

Hey Upper East Siders, Blair Waldorf wannabes, and people who ~ know ~ what I mean when I say ~ the limo scene ~. Gossip Girl is BACK, with all of the glitz, all of the glamour, and the unreasonably attractive cast that our 13-year-old selves could have wished for, only this time, with more diversity and an incredibly self-aware, made for 2021 “Gossip Girl” from the get-go. The pilot episode of the new GG, “Just Another Girl on the MTA,” was released yesterday on HBOMax. WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD.

Credit: Dazed Magazine

Let’s begin with the obvious: the reboot has incorporated some MUCH-needed diversity into the Constance Billard/St. Jude class and the Met Steps. The cast features Jordan Alexander in the lead role of Upper East Side queen and popular influencer, Julien Calloway, which honestly makes me think that Serena Van Der Woodsen would have been an influencer too if that was a thing in 2009. The show centers around Julien and her friend group, which includes boyfriend Obie (Eli Brown), bestie (and pseudo-Blair, IMO), Audrey, and sexually fluid bad boy, Max (Thomas Doherty). A progressive, sexually fluid Chuck Bass? COUNT. ME. IN. Throw in a team of hot, evil sidekicks and un-loyal love interests, overbearing parents, and parties that are so extravagant that you’ll forget the main cast is supposed to be literally sixteen.

Credit: Getty Images

Gossip Girl herself returns and keeps her iconic voice thanks to Kristen Bell. The difference? Gossip Girl isn’t a mysterious, looming presence that we’re left to guess, however, an extremely self-aware group of teachers plotting their revenge. Their plan is revealed about 20 minutes into the first episode, and GG has taken on a new life as an Instagram account rather than a blog. VERY 2021. In addition to the new social-media edge, the teachers are a vessel for the show’s new hilarious self-awareness. They note how absurd and unrealistic it was that Blair Waldorf was the Princess of Monaco for a hot sec and how some of Chuck’s actions def wouldn’t fly in the more woke #metoo era (despite my crush on Chuck, I say that ALL of the time).

Credit: Crfashionbook

Like the OG Gossip Girl, the show begins with the addition of a new girl who is, perhaps, a threat to the Queen Bee. Spoiler: it’s her long-lost, secret half-sister. And she’s a gorgeous, intelligent force to be reckoned with. Played by Whitney Peak, Zoya is a freshman on scholarship (Little J much?) and much like Jenny, has her sights set on becoming Upper East Side royalty. Of course, the bitches of the Met Steps have other plans. Her half-sister Julien’s popularity isn’t the only thing Zoya seems to be after; it’s hinted that she may end up hooking up with Obie. From step-sisters to spit sisters, right?!

Credit: W Magazine

The family drama, the F A S H I O N, the stupidly good-looking high schoolers…my middle school self is thrilled, to say the least. New episodes of Gossip Girl are streaming every Thursday, and to alleviate some of this anticipation, I’ll just be binging the original in the meantime. The Gossip Girl reboot CERTAINLY did not disappoint…and apparently, Josuha Bassett is set to guest star? I guess we have to keep watching to find out.

You know you love me…

XOXO,

University Girl