“Gossip Girl” star Leighton Meester is on the cover of the September issue of Harper’s Bazaar, and the first thing she addresses in the interview is the rumored tape of her having sex at 18.

The actress insists, “[The tape] is not real, so it makes me sort of sad. It’s unfortunate that it got carried as far as it did. I definitely understand the nature of people better now and that the mere allegation of something like that could be headline news. People think it’s real because somebody says it is.”

Too bad she didn’t make such an emphatic statement at the time the tape surfaced. But she didn’t have a new season of “Gossip Girl” to promote then, did she?

Leighton Meester and Minka Kelly filmed “The Roommate” on location around Hollywood Blvd. in Los Angeles, CA. Minka plays “Sara,” a college girl who faces danger when Leighton’s “Rebecca” becomes her roommate.

Leighton Meester of “Gossip Girl” and Minka Kelly of “Friday Night Lights” were spotted on location in Pasadena, CA, filming “The Roommate.” Are the roomies arriving on campus?

Leighton Meester and Minka Kelly on location filming a cafe scene for the movie “The Roommate” in South Pasadena, CA. Is Leighton’s new blonder hair intended to make her contrast more with brunette Minka?

“Gossip Girl” actress Leighton Meester pulled up to a gas station in a snazzy sports car on the first day of shooting her new film “Roommate,” on location in downtown Los Angeles, CA.

“Gossip Girl” star Leighton Meester showed off her new blonde hair—and her deadly aim with a gas nozzle—on the first day of shooting her new film “Roommate” on location in downtown Los Angeles, CA.

The Hollywood Reporter announced Meester has been signed a deal with Universal Republic through Time-Act Music. She has been in the studio recording tracks since last month, and her first album is set for a fall release. 

Universal Republic Records head honcho Monte Lipman told THR, ”Leighton Meester’s tremendous presence and spirited approach to her musical artistry is a perfect fit with her new Universal Republic home as we introduce current and new fans to this unique facet of her immense talent.”

Yeah, that’s what all those label guys say when they sign a new artist. It doesn’t mean they won’t dump you if the album tanks.

“Gossip Girl” star Leighton Meester flashed a smile as she arrived on the set of  “Date Night,” filming on location in Pasadena, CA. Leighton plays the baby sitter for married couple Steve Carell and Tina Fey.

HBO’s hit series Entourage resumed filming yesterday in West Hollywood. The Entourage boys got a visitor by way of Gossip Girl star Leighton Meester. Leighton is reprising a role she played in season one – pop singer Justine Chapin, based on Britney Spears. Due to the writers’ strike, Entourage’s season 5 will not premiere in June as planned. Instead, the show will be airing its first new episode in September. I guess we’ll have to wait to see Leighton in the fall. In the meantime, check out the other pics of the boys and Gossip chick below. Enjoy.