Leighton Meester, who plays Blair Waldorf on Gossip Girl, has gotten a music deal with Universal Republic. Her sound has an “electro-pop edge,” and the studio gives a bullsh*t statement about how excited they are about Leighton’s “tremendous presence and spirited approach to her musical artistry.” Leighton herself says that she is happy that she will be given license to explore her “creative boundaries.”
Leighton Meester, star of the CW Network’s teen drama “Gossip Girl,” has signed a deal with Universal Republic through Time-Act Music to release her debut album in the fall. The 23-year-old actress began recording material– described as having an “electro-pop edge”–for the project in March and has clocked studio time with producers Polow Da Don (Usher, Fergie), Harvey Mason, Jr. (Justin Timberlake, Pink) and Spencer Nezey (Jupiter Rising).
“I’m thrilled to be welcomed into the Universal Republic fold,” said Meester in a statement. “Their reputation for nurturing artists combined with a willingness to break new ground makes it the ultimate environment for me to enjoy making music and explore my own creative boundaries.”
“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,” added Monte Lipman, President and CEO of Universal Republic Records.
[From Billboard]
Electro-pop does not equal breaking new ground. How many other actresses and celebrities have tried breaking into the same genre – and failed? Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton are the first that come to mind. Scarlett Johansson tried a different approach altogether by recording an album of Tom Waits covers, but she also famously failed. I really would like Leighton to defy my expectations. She does seem to have a decent voice, with a Goldfrapp-esque lilt and smoothness to it. But in this business, having a good voice doesn’t mean anything. What I am not looking forward to is her record company paying Gossip Girl to have an episode where she has to sing in a talent contest or something. I can see it now: “Oh, Blair, I had no idea you sang!”
Here’s a clip of Leighton singing “Bette Davis Eyes” if you want to get an idea what she sounds like.
Here’s Leighton at the CHLOE Los Angeles Boutique Opening in Los Angeles yesterday. Images thanks to Fame Pictures .
people who have been passionate about music their entire lives have an ultimate dream goal to get a record deal like that. And now any teen show actress can just get a record any time they feel like it. I’m so sick of it!!! literally. why dont models just rule the world? they all get into acting for their looks then they all get a record from their fame. next thing you know, they have 3 Fragrances on sale at macys, a clothing line (or LEGGINGs line if ur lindsay lohan haha). i mean seriously!!! this is riDICulous!!!! no WONDER people have such low self esteem if theyre not unrealistically gorgeous. People who won the genetic lottery can just have anything they want it seems! (just look at how many fragrances, clothing/accesory line type things, advertisements (as model), and movies the talentless Jessica simpson has!) Then on top of that so many people worship them for their fame, when they’d already get a lot of attention and have a pretty damn good life without all of this stuff just because people like to see a pretty face in the real world too. I want to be happy for her because if i were her i’d want people to like my music and it would be fun and i’d enjoy it. But i just CANT. Hayden Panettiere, Lindsay Lohan, Jennette McCurdy and Miranda Cosgrove from ICarly, Selena Gomez, Miley Cyrus, Demi Lovato, Paris HILTON! i mean, honestly the list is ENDLESS. scarlett johanson even *shivers at the memory of that ear poison*, ashley tisdale, hillary duff, its so ridiculous i cant stand it anymore. Literally any actress on a teen show can get one at the snap of their fingers. And i cant believe they do! it makes them such a joke IMO. im going to search a the first random teen show star i can think of on itunes and tell you if they have an album. Emily osment: CHECK. this is SO lame
Well, I agree that a lot of people that are singing shouldn’t be singing.
Can someone get a vocal trainer for Jessica Simspon. She has a voice but constantly abuses it.
But I do like Leighton and I like her voice. It remains to be seen how she handles her music career.
“electro-pop edge” = cannot sing at all and her voice will be covered up by sythesizers and reverb.
I mean, it’s kinda cute. But the rest of her “experimenting” better be a hell of a lot better, because this is unfortunately, very forgettable.
Well, Ed Westwick (Chuck) sings lead for an established British punk band and, although GG has used one of their songs in the background of an episode before (which I think they have done with a song by Leighton, as well), they don’t seem to pimp their stars’ other talents, so I have hopes. Also, they’ve gone almost 2 seasons without flaunting the fact that their best characters on the show have pipes, so unless there’s a Buffy-style musical episode coming up (which would be spectacular, IMO) I can’t see them doing it now.
I really like her voice so good for her.
@ldf “Bunnies! bunnies! It must be bunnies.”
Being a music major in college, stuff like this really p*sses me off. I work my ass off, as do my friends, who actually know how to sing. And then, some celebrity who isn’t even good at ACTING, who has no formal vocal training whatsoever, never sung a day in their life, thinks they can sing and get a record deal? I’m sorry. That’s not music. It’s called attention whoring. Get off the freaking stage. Please. It’s old.
didn’t she sing on Entourage as well?
She has talent, legit talent and I <3 and respect her for that.
I hope the best for her in both careers. I’ll pay for that CD, and that’s saying a lot.
nanster: Exactly.
While I take no issue with people being talented with acting and music (think Rhys Ifans, not Billy-Bob Thornton), I do take issue with some celebrity having a recording contract bestowed upon them as if it’s an honor for the record company to do so. Not earned at all IMHO.
well, she can definitely sing, as evidenced by last week’s episode. and she has terrific presence. i wish her well.
Uh no. My plumber doesn’t get to perform heart surgery regardless of how many episodes of ‘House’ he’s watched.
Hieronymus….maybe if he stayed at a Holiday Inn Express he could 😉
…I’ve heard one of her songs. It was covered up by electronics and it was grating on the ears.
Leighton may be able to act circles around many of the other talentless tramps that had record deals handed to them like birthday gifts, but she can’t sing.
omg..this girl cannot sing..anyone who thinks she can either does not get music or has not heard any decent singers and is comparing her to the likes of paris hilton..