In the glamorous and drama-filled world of Gossip Girl, Vanessa Abrams stands out. Unlike most characters, Vanessa comes from Brooklyn and leads a more grounded life, adding a refreshing contrast to the wealthy Upper East Siders.
Played by Jessica Szohr, Vanessa brings a unique blend of honesty and independence that makes her character intriguing from her first appearance.
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Vanessa is first introduced as a side character but later becomes a regular due to her popularity. But she soon quit the role of Vanessa as she thought her role ran off its course and only reappeared in the 4th season as her Cameo.
What happened to Vanessa in Gossip Girl?
Throughout the series, Vanessa has a complicated romantic life. She shares an on-and-off relationship with Nate Archibald, a charming Upper East Sider, and later becomes romantically involved with Dan, rekindling their past feelings.
However, both relationships face many obstacles, including misunderstandings and the ever-present influence of the Upper East Side’s social hierarchy. Being from Brooklyn, Vanessa struggles to fit into the Upper East Side’s elite social circles.
Her blunt honesty and strong-willed personality often put her at odds with characters like Blair Waldorf and Chuck Bass, creating conflicts that highlight the gap between her world and theirs.
Vanessa reappears in Dan Humphrey’s life when she unexpectedly shows up on his fire escape after returning to New York from Vermont.
Once best friends, Vanessa and Dan share a complicated history, although Dan initially expressed feelings for her, their relationship becomes more of a friendship since he’s dating Serena at the time.
Vanessa’s storyline is filled with twists, including her unexpected return to find Dan with Georgina Sparks and her son, Milo. Later, she finds herself tangled in schemes involving Juliet Sharp, which complicates her relationships further and challenges her loyalty to her friends.
Vanessa enrolls at NYU, where she continues to pursue her dream of becoming a filmmaker. During this time, she becomes roommates with Olivia Burke, a famous actress. This dynamic adds a new layer to Vanessa’s experience, blending her artistic aspirations with the world of fame and entertainment.
Why was Vanessa written out of Gossip Girl?
In her final season, Vanessa takes drastic action by stealing Dan’s manuscript about the Upper East Side and getting it published. This betrayal leads to a major falling out, after which she decides to leave New York and move to Spain, ending her run on the show.
Though Vanessa’s main storyline ends in season four, she makes a brief appearance in the series finale, reading a text that reveals Dan was Gossip Girl all along. This moment provides closure for her character and offers fans a final glimpse of her in the Gossip Girl universe.
As the show progressed, Vanessa’s character received mixed reviews. Some critics felt her character became inconsistent, with storylines that didn’t align with her original values. Jessica Szohr discussed her departure with producers, concluding that Vanessa’s story had run its course.
Where is Jessica Szohr now?
Szohr has stayed active in the entertainment industry since her time on the show. She’s appeared in popular TV series like Shameless, The Orville, Twin Peaks, and Kingdom. Szohr has also taken on film roles like Ted 2 and The Internship.
Outside of acting, Jessica launched a podcast called XOXO with Jessica Szohr, where she looks back on her Gossip Girl days, shares behind-the-scenes stories, and interviews former cast members.
She started dating NHL player Brad Richardson in 2019, and the couple welcomed their first child in 2021. In 2022, they got engaged and recently married in August 2024.
Her journey, though often marked by conflicts and challenges, resonated with viewers who saw her as a refreshing outsider in a world of wealth and privilege.
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