According to Us Weekly, Leighton Meester and her actor boyfriend, Aaron Himelstein, ended their relationship over the holidays. Meester had previously dated her Gossip Girl co-star, Sebastian Stan. Adam Brody, on the other hand, had been linked to Hustlers director Lorene Scafaria and had dated his O.C. co-star, Rachel Bilson, until 2006.
In February 2013, Us Weekly revealed that Brody and Meester were dating. The article stated that the couple had been spending time together for weeks, including a trip to Bangkok at the beginning of the year and a visit to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art on February 1. Shortly after their relationship became public, Meester was spotted hiding from paparazzi in Brody’s car. Towards the end of the month, they were photographed walking to a Mexican restaurant in Venice, California.
Brody and Meester made their first public appearance as a couple at the premiere of his film, Some Girl(s), in June 2013. They were seen holding hands and posing alongside Brody’s co-star, Mia Maestro.
Although neither Meester nor Brody confirmed their 7-month relationship in September 2013, they were spotted walking together in New York City towards the end of the year.
In November 2013, E! reported that the couple was engaged after less than a year of dating. The news was not confirmed by either actor, but they were later seen kissing in South Africa. In February 2014, Us Weekly confirmed that Meester and Brody had gotten married in a secret ceremony in Northern California. The intimate wedding was attended by close family and friends.
The couple made their first red carpet appearance as a married couple at the Tony Awards in June 2014. Meester wore a white gown by Antonio Berardi, while Brody opted for a dark suit with a lightly-patterned tie. Brody playfully referenced their relationship during an Ask Me Anything session on Reddit in August 2014.
Meester and Brody starred together in the indie comedy Life Partners in November 2014. In September 2015, Us confirmed that the couple had welcomed their first child, a daughter named Arlo Day. Arlo was born on August 4, but the couple had not confirmed the pregnancy or shared details about their daughter until then. In August 2016, Brody and Meester attended the premiere of Startup in Los Angeles.
Williamson – Getty Images, January 2017
The couple made an appearance at the 2017 InStyle Golden Globes after-party on January 8. Meester donned a white Galvan dress paired with cobalt-colored Sophia Webster pumps, while Brody opted for a dark blue suit and tie combination.
Stefanie Keenan – Getty Images, March 2017
During an Access Hollywood interview, Meester revealed that she had a crush on Brody when she was younger. She recalled, “When his show premiered, I remember thinking, ‘I don’t want to watch that show, it’s a teenage show,’ even though I was sixteen, but all my friends watched it.” She added, “Maybe I thought he was cute. I remember he was the screensaver of one of my best friends when we were seventeen. I saw it from afar. Her screensaver changed every week, but I was intrigued by him.” The actress then confessed that they were destined to be together.
June 2017
Later that year, the couple gave their first joint interview to Entertainment Tonight while volunteering at Feeding America’s Summer Hunger Awareness event in Los Angeles.
Araya Diaz – Getty Images
During the conversation, the couple playfully mentioned that they “occasionally” discussed how their iconic teen characters had ended up together in real life. Brody joked, “Once a year, randomly, on our Seth and Blair day. It’s good for a laugh.” Meester added, “It doesn’t excite us, I think, because we’re just human beings… but we find it exciting that it’s exciting to you. It’s cool.”
August 2018
Meester talked to Entertainment Tonight about her and Brody’s approach to work-life balance. “I think we’re a pretty modern couple,” the actress shared. “Being an actor allows me to work intensely for long hours, not seeing my family for a while. But then I have months off where I can be home and spend time with Arlo. I prefer it that way.”
September 2018
Over a year later, Meester discussed their relationship in an interview with PorterEdit. She expressed, “I wouldn’t change anything in the past because I’m happy where I am now. I feel lucky career-wise, having a child, and meeting my soulmate.”
March 2019
Meester shared insights about being a wife and mother in an interview with Shape magazine. “I just don’t believe in balance,” she explained. “It’s not possible as a working mother. Some days my husband cooks dinner, other days I do. Some days, I’m too tired and have cereal for dinner. It’s what we do to make it work.” She also mentioned that Brody taught her how to surf.
In the same month, the couple made a red carpet appearance after more than two years, with Meester supporting Brody at the premiere of his new movie,
In January 2020, Richard Cartwright captured a rare public appearance made by Brody and Meester at the film premiere of Ode to Joy in West Hollywood, where they posed with director Jason Winer. Just a month later, the couple attended another premiere, this time for Brody’s film Ready or Not. The two displayed their stylish outfits, with Meester in a salmon and purple belted Michael Kors dress and Brody in a black suit and plaid tie. Meester also made their relationship Instagram official with a post captioned “Me and my hero #readyornotmovie.”
An interview with GQ revealed that Brody described his marriage with Meester as private and homey, emphasizing their balance that works for them without seeking out publicity or actively engaging on social media. Later on, Meester celebrated Brody’s return to Single Parents with a sweet Instagram post. The couple kept their pregnancy news quiet until reports surfaced in April 2020, followed by Brody casually confirming the birth of their second child on a Twitch show in September 2020, where he joyfully shared the news of their baby boy.
In October 2020, Brody expressed gratitude for the magical experience of welcoming their son during such a tumultuous time, highlighting their fortune and flexibility in the midst of the pandemic. As the year came to a close, he shared in an interview how he and his family found solace in surfing during quarantine, emphasizing the importance of their time together.
Brody shared that he spends the mornings with his son before joining a party and checking the surf on their phones. He mentioned his lifelong passion for surfing and his wife’s newfound dedication to the sport. Brody also discussed how his wife helped him reduce his time on Twitter, leading to a calmer and more fulfilling life. In March 2021, he opened up about his relationship with Meester on a podcast, recalling their initial meeting through a mutual friend. Despite initial assumptions, he found Meester to be a wonderful person and his rock. In April 2021, Brody talked about his daughter influencing his perspective on female-centric stories. In March 2023, he reflected on the early days of their marriage, expressing how marrying Meester was an easy decision. Meester also highlighted the respect and luck they share in their relationship in a November 2023 interview.
February 2024 saw a rare public appearance by the couple Adam Brody and Leighton Meester at the Screen Actors Guild Awards. Meester donned a brown St. John dress paired with Pomellato jewelry for the event, as captured by photographers Axelle/Bauer-Griffin and Rob Gauthier.
In March of the same year, an insider shared insights with Us Weekly regarding the couple’s private life. Describing Brody and Meester as a down-to-earth pair, the source emphasized their mutual support and comfort while working together. The source highlighted their collaborative efforts on set, where they enjoy standing up for each other.
During a guest appearance on Dax Shepard’s Armchair Expert podcast in September 2024, Brody elaborated on how he and Meester navigate their professional endeavors. Brody revealed that they are intricately involved in each other’s careers, serving as each other’s managers and sharing the same agents. Recalling their collaboration on a film a few years prior, Brody praised Meester’s artistic sensibilities and unique approach to the industry. He commended her for her depth, poetic nature, and insightful interpretation of scripts, while also acknowledging her detachment from the business side of Hollywood.
In a candid interview with The Hollywood Reporter in December 2024, Brody expressed gratitude for Meester’s unwavering support and pride in his recent success on the Netflix series “Nobody Wants This.” He emphasized their mutual admiration and encouragement for each other’s achievements, underscoring the strength of their partnership amidst the challenges of fame. Brody reassured that their bond remained resilient despite external pressures, affirming his commitment to prioritizing their relationship above all else.
With additional reporting by Starr Savoy, the narrative of Brody and Meester’s relationship portrays a dynamic characterized by mutual respect, collaboration, and a shared dedication to their personal and professional growth. Their story serves as a testament to the enduring strength of love and partnership in the midst of a demanding industry.
