Leighton Meester on 'I Love LA' and Toxic Work Environments
Leighton Meester plays a stereotypical Los Angeles publicist named Alyssa in the HBO series I Love LA, where she is the boss of Maia, played by Rachel Sennott. While her real-life experiences with publicists differ from the show, some elements of the workplace dynamics resonated deeply with her.
Personal Experiences Shared
Meester revealed that she has encountered toxic work environments before, especially in relation to complex boss-employee relationships like that of Alyssa and Maia. She explained:
“I've been in toxic work environments. I think that a lot of people have experienced that, being around people who sort of... I don't know, just, like, you have a boss that maybe doesn't uplift you, or whatever.”
Co-star Reaction and Reflections
During a PEOPLE interview with co-star Josh Hutcherson, he expressed surprise at Meester’s admission:
“In this industry, that's happened to you?”
Meester responded, “It's shocking.”
Finding Safety in the Show
Leighton reflected on how working on I Love LA provided a safe space to explore these toxic dynamics in a comedic and supportive environment. She shared that this freedom allowed her to:
“really feel the thrill of the ride.”
Summary
Leighton Meester found that portraying workplace toxicity in I Love LA was a liberating experience within a safe and comedic setting, contrasting with her real past challenges.