More photos from last night’s amFAR gala in New York City. We’ve already covered Lindsay Lohan’s crack-monster face and all of the ladies in (busted) Roberto Cavalli. To start this post, let’s talk about how awful Sarah Jessica Parker looks and how she thinks she’s still Carrie Bradshaw. This is the kind of outfit that Carrie Bradshaw would try to pull off (and end up looking like a four-year-old on a sugar high). On SJP, it just looks dated and confused. The pink dress is Oscar de la Renta, and she paired it with an Oliver Theyskens leather jacket, which does not work. And then she did glove-lets too. Awful.

Leighton Meester in Louis Vuitton. Love the little cocktail dress – it’s great on someone so young and so pretty. The fur panels are… odd. But they kind of work, right? I’m not loving her hair, though.

Here’s Rose Byrne in Alexander McQueen. I like the dress a lot, but I dislike the way Rose is styled. It’s not even just my knee-jerk hatred of bangs – this hair style in TOTAL does awful things to a beautiful woman.

Photos courtesy of WENN.

Charlize Theron and Leighton Meester were the two big celebrity “gets” at last night’s “HTC Serves Up NYC Product Launch” event. Charlize looks really weird to me, but I think I’m just being thrown off by the full skirt and the lack of high heels. Allegedly, the green dress is Chloe… and I don’t like it much. Charlize is famous for her amazing legs, so why is she wearing a full-skirted dress that makes her legs look like little toothpicks? The cut and the style is not flattering. That being said, I love the color on her.

Meanwhile, Leighton wore Leighton wore a dress from the Marios Schwab Resort 2012 Collection and Burberry shoes. Um… the outfit is fine, it’s kind of boring, but meh. BUT THE SHOES. Dear God. Those look like some 1970s craft project, all wood beads and bad colors. And don’t get me started on the bangs.

Getting back to Charlize for a moment – have you seen her latest Dior commercial? It’s the one where Dior puts Charlize in the same company as Marilyn Monroe, Marlene Dietrich and Grace Kelly. WTF?

Photos courtesy of Fame & WENN.

Leighton Meester has already made headlines this week for suing her mom for blowing her money (that Leighton provided to take care of her younger brother) on botox and weaves. As far as her social life goes, however, we rarely hear anything other than the occasional rubfest with Garrett Hedlund, which hasn’t happened since last fall. Now it seems that Leighton has a new man in her life; that is, Drew Barrymore’s ex, Justin Long:

The romance between Leighton Meester and “Mac guy” Justin Long is heating up. The pair are currently in the city, where Meester is filming “Gossip Girl.” A source told us, “Justin has a place on the Lower East Side, and they have been spending a lot of time together.” In May, the pair were spotted sharing a romantic dinner in LA before leaving restaurant La Poubelle holding hands. Long split with Drew Barrymore last year. Meester played Long’s girlfriend who leaves him at the beginning of the 2010 movie “Going the Distance.” Their reps didn’t get back to us.

[From Page Six]

Well, this came out of left field, but these two would probably make a very cute and sufficiently well-matched couple. As for Long, he hasn’t been seriously linked to anyone since the on-off thing with Drew finally ended last year, and although there was one incidence of a ScarJo sighting, the two were quick to deny any romantic involvement. Justin seems like a loyal and nice enough guy though, so I hope that this is true for Leighton’s sake as well. Especially if she loves receiving oral sex, you know?

Photos courtesy of Fame

Leighton Meester’s past has always been rather sketchy, through no fault of her own. Her mom was a drug-runner who served time in a federal prison in Texas, and Leighton was born in a half-way house and she spent the first years of her life being taken care of by relatives while her mother completed her prison sentence. It’s a wonder Leighton turned out to be a successful and seemingly well-adjusted, talented, and relatively sane individual. Leighton is so successful, in fact, that she’s been sending money to her mom for years as a way to help support her sick little brother. Unfortunately, Leighton’s mom spent all of the money on plastic surgery, Botox and weaves instead of taking Leighton’s little bro to the doctor. So now Leighton is suing her mom! Good for her.

“Gossip Girl” star Leighton Meester is suing her mother, claiming her mom diverted money Leighton sent to her little brother and used it for plastic surgery, Botox and hair extensions.

According to the suit … obtained by TMZ … Leighton’s mom refused to work, but Leighton felt badly for her younger brother Lex, who has severe medical issues. So Leighton sent her mom $7,500 a month so she could provide for Lex.

But the suit claims the mother, Constance Meester, used the money for cosmetic procedures and other personal expenses.

According to the suit, Constance even tried to convince Leighton … they had an oral contract requiring Leighton to pay her $10,000 a month for life. Leighton says it’s a total lie.

Leighton claims her mom threatened to file a $3 million lawsuit against her unless Leighton started coughing up the dough. Leighton wants the judge to declare there’s no contract between her and her mom.

[From TMZ]

This is why I’ve always had more affection for Leighton than for Blake Lively. Leighton is hardcore. Leighton will sue the crap out of her own mother. Plus, Leighton is such a good girl at heart that she wants to make sure that her sick little brother is taken care of. Perhaps Lex could move in with Leighton for a time? Obviously, Constance doesn’t give a crap.

Photos courtesy of WENN & Fame.

These are new photos of Leighton Meester in NYC, promoting that horrible-looking Selena Gomez movie, Monte Carlo. Leighton is working a new look – she gave herself bangs trauma. Do we need to have the same old fight about this? All too often, the girls who suddenly appear with a new set of bangs (trauma) are the ones who do NOT need it. Take Leighton – her face is lovely. Beautiful little dimples, sparkling eyes, great smile… she’s the poster child for “adorable”. Beyond that, her hair was already great – thick, with a natural curl or some kind of natural body working in there. So why ruin it all with bangs trauma? Does she think that she’s just so cute, she can pull off any look, any hairstyle? Very few women are that cute.

Now that I’ve ranted, I have to take part of it back. Although I almost always hate bangs (yes, I hate the HAIR not the PERSON), Leighton doesn’t look hideous with bangs. She simply looked much cuter without them. Hopefully, they’re those clip-on deals that everybody is doing this year.

In other Leighton news, did you know that she and Garrett Hedlund are still maybe-kinda happening? Us Weekly’s print edition had a story about them this week - they claimed that Garrett and Leighton, who starred together in Country Strong, were spotted “making out” at the Sunset Marquis. Unfortunately for Garrett (who is hot, sort of), Leighton also might be dating Justin Long…? She was overheard telling a friend about Long, so God knows. There were first reports about Garrett and Leighton back in January, when they were rubbing on each other at some Golden Globes party. Every so often, someone will report that they’re still going at it, but either they key it very, very DL, or it’s just a casual thing where they hookup once a month or something. Plus, I kind of feel like Garrett is trying to get on Kristen Stewart. And K-Stew might be willing.

Photos courtesy of Pacific Coast News.

Stories about diva discord have plagued Gossip Girl for the three years the show has been on the air. Just last year, the Enquirer had a story about Blake Lively and Leighton Meester trying to one-up each other on set and off, especially when it came to fashion, career and media. Now In Touch Weekly has another variation – their sources claim that Leighton is the good girl, the professional who simply likes having a job, while Blake is the diva who fancies herself a major star, to the point where she thinks she’s too good for Gossip Girl:

The tension between Gossip Girl beauties Blake Lively and Leighton Meester is going into overdrive, according to a setsider, who says the acresses are complete opposites.

“Blake is a huge diva! She sees herself as the star of the show,” says an insider. “Leighton is pretty low-key.”

According to another insider, the two women “totally avoid each other between takes. Blake’s been getting a lot of attention this year – she’s done a movie with Ben Affleck and another with Ryan Reynolds…she’s talking about leaving the show, and Leighton and other are really fed up.”

[From In Touch Weekly, print edition]

Since I don’t watch Gossip Girl, I’m not going to make a judgment call on who and who is not the star of that show. It was my understanding that while Blake might get top billing over Leighton, Leighton has more of a fan-base. And while Blake might get to say “I worked with and under Ben Affleck,” Leighton is no slouch either. Her starring role (with Minka Kelly) in The Roommate just came in number one at the box office last weekend. While The Roommate got awful reviews (just as Country Strong did, which Leighton also had a part in), having a number one movie will be good for Leighton’s career. So the next time Blake rolls her eyes and says “God, I wish I was on a set with Ben Affleck right now…” Leighton should be all “Yeah, I wish you were too. STFU or GTFO, Bolt-Ons.”

Photos courtesy of WENN.

The other day, we had Minka Kelly’s GQ interview to promote her role in The Roommate, the re-imagining of Single White Female set in college, with Leighton Meester in the psychotic Jennifer Jason Leigh role. The Roommate looks… wonderfully awful, like a girl fight cheesefest that will deliver hilarious and ridiculous lines for years to come. Anyway, The Roommate gets a wide release next week, so the premieres and screenings have already begun. Last night there was a screening in West Hollywood, and both Leighton and Minka showed up in their best “LOOK AT ME” dresses.

Leighton is wearing Michael Kors – and yes, that is a leather halter-belly top thing, which I don’t get. How is the whole belly-baring (even in cutouts) thing still a fashion statement? Ugh. I don’t know who Minka is wearing, but I like it better than Leighton’s dress. Minka’s dress just seems like a better “attending a screening” dress.

Also: Now that they’re standing side-by-side on a red carpet, it’s much easier to tell them apart. Last thing: is Minka giving anyone else a major Jennifer Beals vibe? I never saw that before, but Minka looks a lot like Beals.

Photos courtesy of WENN.

Leighton Meester and Garrett Hedlund, both starring in critical and commercial flop Country Strong, are probably boning. So say eyewitnesses who saw Leighton and Garrett all up on each other during the Globes after-parties. Damn, I really wanted her with Anthony Mackie. Garrett just seems so… I don’t know. He doesn’t know Hollywood yet. He seems like a sweet kid, but he’s bugging me for some reason.

Country cuties! Country Strong costars Leighton Meester and Garrett Hedlund may be making their onscreen romance a reality.

Whooping it up after the Golden Globes at HBO’s party held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel’s Circa 55 eatery, Meester, 24, and Hedlund, 26, were “inseparable the entire night,” a partygoer tells UsMagazine.com exclusively.

As the duo chatted, “Garret wrapped his arm around her,” the observer says. “She wraps her arm completely around his neck and pulls him for a quick peck on the lips.”

When the pair called it a night, Hedlund was “massaging her shoulders” as they exited together.

Meester split with Gossip Girl costar Sebastian Stan last year and told Allure she wasn’t a fan of playing the field.

“I don’t see the point in dating,” the star said. “I hate it. It’s wonderful to be in love. And it’s definitely wonderful to cuddle and have sex and get to experience life with somebody. But it’s OK if you don’t find him and you’re 24. You can find it someday.”

[From Us Weekly]

Since there really isn’t anything scandalous about this, what is there to say? Two pretty, young, single actors are dating. Maybe that’s what’s bothering me – there’s a “meh” factor to this coupling.

I will say this though – if they’re boning, I bet it’s really, really hot. Okay, now I’m not feeling so “meh” about them.

Photos courtesy of WENN.

Leighton Meester is the cover girl for the January issue of Allure Magazine, to promote her supporting role in Country Strong, the musical that was just SHUT OUT of the Golden Globes (poor Goopy). I know many of you don’t care about her, but I really like Leighton. I think she’s way prettier than Blake Lively, and more interesting too. I think she’s pretty in that really adorable/cute way, much like Rachel McAdams, who I think looks like she could be Leighton’s sister. But why did Allure take such a cute girl and make her pose like this for the cover? It’s so… awkward. And fug. It makes it seem like the real cover star is Leighton’s arm, not her face. Ugh. Here are some highlights from the interview:

On the Chuck and Blair love affair:
“I can really relate to it–not necessarily because it’s this dramatic, tumultuous relationship, but because the way they love each other is very real, and not for the sake of being dramatic. It’s actual love. There’s nobody for each other but them.”

On her former life as a partier:
“We had craaaazy parties, we had DJ’s, bands, an ice luge, a fire twirler. One of my roommates burned off her bangs on the stove trying to light a cigarette.”

On Country Strong:
Meester has a string of promising movies on the way, including Country Strong, a Nashville drama in which she sings and costars with Gwyneth Paltrow and Tim McGraw. “Gwyneth’s just chilled out, well-balanced,” Meester says. She’s not uppity in any way. She’s got a family and kids and a really healthy lifestyle.” And her take on McGraw? “He’s a prankster, a flirt. He’ll make up a little song about you. He’s got a devious twinkle in his eye.” When Country Strong wrapped, Paltrow and McGraw presented Meester with a meaningful parting gift: “A guitar,” she says, with a flicker of pride. It has become Meester’s constant travel companion; she’s teaching herself to play and has begun writing songs that are very different from the perky dance music she’s recorded in the past. “The stuff I’m doing now is a little more complementary to my heart and my vibe,” she says.

On her ex, Sebastian Stan:
In her early 20s, Meester was in a relationship with actor Sebastian Stan, who appeared on Gossip Girl, but she’s enjoying being single these days. “I don’t see the point in dating. I hate it,” she says. “It’s wonderful to be in love. And it’s definitely wonderful to cuddle and have sex and get to experience life with somebody. But it’s OK if you don’t find him and you’re 24. You can find it someday.”

On the supposed rivalry with costar Blake Lively:
For years, the actress has batted away speculation of friction between herself and Gossip Girl costar Blake Lively. “It’s unfortunate when women are pitted against each other,” Meester says. “Like with Sex and the City. People say, ‘They’re jealous of each other.’ Come on! They’re all rich, successful, great actresses.” In a breathless voice, she mocks the male-driven stereotype of the Hollywood catfight: “‘When women fight, it’s usually with pillows and in bras and panties! Sometimes, they accidentally kiss!’”

On working out:
“I hate working out for the sake of working out—it’s a chore. I hate going to the gym, and I don’t really care to do it,” says Meester. “The one thing I love is yoga, and I do it at least four or five times a week. It’s pretty fast-paced. I never get bored.”

On her love life:
“It’s wonderful to be in love. And it’s definitely wonderful to cuddle and have sex and get to experience life with somebody. But it’s OK if you don’t find him and you’re 24. You can find it someday.”

[From Allure & HuffPo]

See, she’s a better interview too, as opposed to Blake Lively’s Anna Wintour name-dropping. I would like to see Leighton with someone really interesting too – part of me wants to see her with Ed Westwick, but that’s probably a no-go. Who is single? Let’s see… Garrett Hedlund? Ooh… how about Colin Farrell? THAT would be hot.

Photos courtesy of Allure.

Us Weekly has a great gossip tidbit about a backstage act of bitchery at the CMA Awards a few weeks ago. Carrie Underwood was the hostess of the event, right? And she was backstage, waiting for her next cue, sizing up the presenters. Her eyes fell upon Leighton Meester, who was there to promote her supporting role in Country Strong. Leighton looked nervous, so Carrie gave her a very special lesson in bitchy pep talks:

Tough love? Carrie Underwood, 27, struck a sour note with Leighton Meester, 24, at the CMA Awards November 10, a backstage source tells Hot Stuff.

“Leighton was nervous before presenting an award, and Carrie said, ‘Get out there and don’t f-ck up,’” says the insider. “It made Leighton more nervous.”

The source added, “Later, someone said to Carrie, ‘That was mean,’ and Carrie said, ‘She’ll get over it. Someone said that to me once and I got over it.’”

[From Us Weekly, print edition]

Okay, so maybe it’s not that bad. But it is on the bitchy-Southern-girl side of harsh. That’s like saying to your best friend, “Try NOT to act like a drunken whore tonight.” It’s casual bitchery, in the form of friendly advice. Plus, I pretty much think Carrie is kind of bitch anyway, so I believe this. I know, I know – there will Underwood defenders on here momentarily to say that she’s always nice and professional and she’s all sugar and no spice. If that’s what you want to believe, sure. She probably is professional, and she probably is nice… to certain people. But she always comes across as the kind of sorority girl who would start a rumor about your boyfriend and his small dong.