XOXO with Jessica Szohr

Can you believe it’s been almost a year since XOXO began? Join Jessica and Zuzanna in celebrating this wild and wonderful journey with a Best Of 2022 episode - our way of reminiscing on just a few of our fondest moments from the show.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jessica and Zuzanna are back to break down another episode full of drama, scandal, and of course a fabulous party. They talk about Rufus’ amazing wig, Zuzanna’s emergency pedicure for a particular scene, and Jessica reveals her story of auditioning for The White Lotus.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The amazing Gina Torres, who played Vanessa’s mom Gabriela Abrams, watches back her debut Gossip Girl episode with Jessica and Zuzanna. They discuss the strong personalities and complex relationship that Vanessa and Gabriela share, the best shoes to wear to a sketchy poker game, and how pastries can bring even polar opposites like Blair and Vanessa together.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The wonderful Aaron Schwartz, known to the true romantics in the fandom as Dorota’s beau, Vanya, joins Jessica and Zuzanna on today’s episode! Aaron breaks down auditioning with an accent, growing up as a child actor, and what he did to make Vanya different.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today Jessica and Zuzanna dive into Season 3, Episode 4, Dan de Fleurette, where we meet movie star Olivia Burke (played by real life celeb Hilary Duff), Lily returns not too pleased to find Serena not at Brown, and Chuck and Blair pull an elaborate stunt to make each other feel good once again. Plus, they discuss the Gossip Girl cocktail menu at the real-life Empire Hotel.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jessica and Zuzanna talk to one of Jessica’s dearest friends that she met on the Gossip Girl set, JoAnna Garcia Swisher, the brilliant actor behind Bree Buckley. JoAnna shares stories about her long career on the CW (back when it was the WB), Bree’s secret intentions with Nate, and her daughter’s love of limos.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jessica and Zuzanna finally get to sit down with the legendary Margaret Colin, who played the tough-as-nails Eleanor Waldorf. Margaret talks about balancing the comedy and the evil of Eleanor, choreographing her own dance scene with Cyrus, and getting recognized on the street (but only when she puts makeup on).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jessica and Zuzanna dig into the crew’s first days of college life, and touch on Leighton Meester’s incredible music career, Nate and Bree’s Romeo and Juliet story, and of course the Dan and Georgina of it all. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jessica and Zuzanna go deep with actor Chris Riggi, who plays Scott Rosson, AKA the long lost love child of Rufus and Lily. He discusses his top-secret audition for the part of “Mr. X”, working with Matthew Settle, and his on-screen romance with Vanessa.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special mailbag episode, Jessica and Zuzanna answer listener questions about all things Season 2! Find out their favorite storylines, biggest surprises, and who they’re rooting for as they get ready to embark into Season 3.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hey Upper East Siders, it’s that time of year again… time to rewatch the last episode of Season 2! Jessica and Zuzanna are joined by director Norman Buckley to talk everything from pasting leaves on trees in Central Park to why Norman became the party scene guy and how he earns actors’ trust.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

S2E24 is a little different than usual - it’s the infamous flashback episode, Valley Girls! Jessica and Zuzanna talk about the legacy of mother-daughter relationships in the van der Woodsen family, reminisce about their proms, and try to understand TikTok as two elder millennials.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For today’s rewatch of S2E23, Zuzanna Szadkowski joins Jessica once again to share all the behind-the-scenes deets you ever wanted to know – the Russian Tea Room, tourists on set, and one of the most iconic Gossip Girl lines: "you can tell Jesus that the bitch is back."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Zuzanna Szadkowski is back to rewatch another juicy episode - S2E22, Southern Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. They talk about the genius of Georgina’s transformation, Rufus and Lily’s impending engagement, and Zuzanna’s pet peeve about Chinese food.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maureen van der Bilt, aka Holley Fain, sits down with Jessica to break down Season 2 Episode 21, Seder Anything. She talks all about her time on Gossip Girl, from meeting Jessica to sporting her very own Upper East Side headband — and as a bonus, she gives an incredible impression of Kristen Bell’s Gossip Girl!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jessica is back for more with Zuzanna Szadkowski, the brains behind Dorota. In the second part of their conversation, they’ll discuss Zuzanna’s takes on the show’s key relationships, working with dogs and babies on set, and almost kind of being in a paparazzi photo that one time.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this special two-part deep dive, Jessica finally gets to sit down with the incredible Zuzanna Szadkowski - the woman behind everybody’s favorite housekeeper, Dorota. Part 1 covers her audition story, Dorota’s relationship with Miss Blair, and the time she met a real-life Dorota in the wild.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jessica is joined by Tamara Feldman, who played the infamous Poppy Lifton to recap today’s episode, The Remains of J. They discuss how magic helps Tamara book jobs, the weirdest part about filming a big party scene, and the Chuck & Vanessa scene that made fans go undone.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Broadway star Aaron Tveit joins Jessica to talk about playing “nice guy” Tripp van der Bilt on Gossip Girl. They walk us through a big episode for Tripp and Nate, “The Grandfather,” dishing about Tripp’s original name, Blair’s downward spiral, and van der Bilt family dynamics.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tyler McCall and Laura Breckenridge, aka the infamous Miss Carr, are back to help unpack an extra juicy episode, The Age of Dissonance. They discuss whether Blair should be forgiven for her past sins, the return of Carter Baizen, and the downward moral spiral of one Rachel Carr.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

XOXO fave Tyler McCall is back to break down the scandalous episode 17: Carrnal Knowledge with Jessica. This one really has it all - secret sex clubs, school expulsion, and illicit affair… and the wildest thing of all - calling a teacher by their first name!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when a small-town teacher from Iowa shows up to Constance and gets in Blair’s way? That’s what Laura Breckenridge, who plays Miss Rachel Carr, joins Jessica to talk about! Laura gets into Blair ad libbing on set, what it’s like to get into an Ivy League, and how IRL, she’s way more of a rule follower than Miss Carr.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tony award winner Matt Doyle, aka Gossip Girl’s Jonathan Whitney, sits down with Jessica to break down this week’s episode! They dive into it all - theories about Jonathan, his cameo on the GG reboot… and why it’s not a good plan to let a 17-year-old run a multi-billion dollar company, even if it’s Chuck Bass.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s Jenny vs. the minions in today’s rewatch, so we had to get a minion on the show to tell her side of the story! The hilarious Dreama Walker, who plays Hazel Williams, joins Jessica to talk about the small-town dynamics of Gossip Girl, wearing too much Argyle, and how, in television, hair is everything.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you smell the faint scent of Chanel No. 5 wafting through the air, that’s because our rewatch guest this week is none other than the absolute icon Caroline Lagerfelt, who played grandma CeCe Rhodes! Caroline joins Jessica to talk about sharing clothes with Kelly Rutherford, the longevity of Gossip Girl, and how CeCe’s heart pumps only gin and secrets (according to Dan!).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today’s episode is all about the life and lies of a certain Upper East Side billionaire: the suave and sinister Bart Bass, played by Robert John Burke! Robert joins Jessica to talk about starring on the show while being a volunteer firefighter, having more fun playing the villain, and how IRL he’s more like Rufus!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What better way to get back into our rewatches than by talking to the lovely Kelly Rutherford aka Lily van der Woodsen? Kelly is back on the pod to break down the epic Snowflake Ball episode. She talks about Lily’s complicated triangle with Bart and Rufus, and the moment she decided to start calling Chuck, Charles. You’re not going to want to miss this one!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before we dive back into our rewatches next week, we have an exciting guest stopping by - Jessica’s best friend and former CW colleague Nina Dobrev! They go back in time to chat about The Vampire Diaries, being on CW teen dramas, and how they became each other’s ride or die. Nina also talks about her upcoming movies, ‘The Out-Laws’ with Adam Devine and ‘Reunion’ with Gossip Girls’ very own Chace Crawford. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we pause our rewatch so Jessica can interview someone kind of controversial before he’s headed off to jail…our favorite charismatic criminal, The Captain! The amazing Sam Robards joins the show to dig into The Captain’s crazy storylines, growing up with classic Hollywood royalty, and why sometimes it’s nice to be a little flawed.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For this week’s drama-stuffed Thanksgiving episode, Jessica is joined by one of Cyrus’s clan, the artist of the family - John Patrick Amedori! John shares what it was like playing Aaron Rose, whether Blair’s disdain for him is fair, and sage words of wisdom from Grandma Amedori. Come for the pie, stay for the early 2000s nostalgia. Don’t miss this one! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We can’t have Blair’s 18th birthday party without her minions! So joining Jessica to break down this week’s rewatch is Amanda Setton, or right-hand minion Penelope Shafai. Amanda and Jessica talk Serena being an artist’s muse, Blair’s battle with Cyrus, and what it was like having Cyndi Lauper on set.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tyler McCall, the Gossip Girl historian herself, joins Jessica this week to talk about something else Tyler is an expert on: fashion! They discuss Jenny’s guerrilla fashion show, the best (or worst?) Gossip Girl blast ever, and how our Upper East Siders just love to skip town.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Jessica brings on Gossip Girl co-Executive Producer and writer Amanda Lasher to break down a big episode - and one Amanda wrote! They dive into shirtless Nate, Jenny quitting Eleanor’s, and the end (or is it?) of Chuck and Blair.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Connor Paolo (Eric van der Woodsen) joins Jessica to go deep about Eric’s coping mechanisms, his bleached tips, and why Connor would not advise his friends to date Chuck or Blair. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s nobody better to break down this week’s drama-filled episode than the man who directed it - Norman Buckley! Norman joins Jessica to talk about filming every exciting scene, from Chuck being kidnapped by the Skull & Bones Society to Blair throwing a purse at Serena’s head. We even get to hear about the time Norman broke his nose on set - don’t miss this one!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jessica sits down with stylist to the stars Johnny Wujek to rewatch S2E5, The Serena Also Rises. They reminisce on 2008 fashion, how to style school uniforms, and the time they went to a Drake party together. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Since we just can’t get enough of her, for this week’s rewatch, we brought back Nicole Fiscella to talk all things The Ex-Files! Nicole and Jessica explain the behind-the-scenes of those notorious Gossip Girl blasts, how to make a (fake) Nairtini, and what the best part about being in Blair’s posse was.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For our very first mailbag episode, Jessica brings on Gossip Girl historian Tyler McCall to go through all of your burning fan questions! They talk steamy moments from Season 1, Jessica’s favorite stories from set, and who they wish Gossip Girl had turned out to be.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jessica and her friend Alessandra Torresani rewatch S2E3 - The Dark Night. They talk about meeting at Monte Carlo, Dan and Serena’s frustrating relationship woes, and why New York City is the best for making out. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you didn’t know Jessica came from a big family - wait til you meet them all! Her mom and 4 sisters join her to break down S2E2, Never Been Marcused. They talk about visiting set in New York, the world’s sweatiest squash game, and which cast member they ALL had a crush on. Plus, Jessica’s brother and baby Bowie stop by as well! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mädchen Amick, who played The Duchess herself, Lady Catherine Beaton, and her daughter Mina Tobias join Jessica for the first-ever XOXO rewatch episode! They break down S2E1, “Summer, Kind of Wonderful”, and in the process, Mina confesses her teenage crush, and Mädchen finally learns who Gossip Girl is.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today’s episode features none other than Michelle Trachtenberg, who played the scheming Georgina Sparks. She and Jessica get deep into the over-the-top fashions on Gossip Girl, what it was like growing up in New York for real, and the occupational hazards of filming with babies. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

She played Blair’s minion Isabel, but Nicole Fiscella was actually the ringleader of the Gossip Girl crew back in the day! Jessica and Nicole rehash the see-through dress incident, Nicole shares how she managed to get her Master’s degree in between scenes, and they reveal the true identity of “Romanian Beyonce”. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sebastian Stan, AKA the elusive Carter Baizen stops by to reminisce with Jessica about the ups and downs of auditioning, the romance of New York City, and his incredible career from Winter Soldier to Tommy Lee. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Beloved costume designer Eric Daman joins Jessica to talk all things Gossip Girl fashion. He reveals the inspiration for some of the show’s all-time greatest looks, how he created the legendary wardrobe room, and the deep meaning behind Blair’s headband. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ahead of her upcoming tour with her band, The Pretty Reckless, Taylor Momsen, AKA Jenny Humphrey, sits down with Jessica to reminisce about the early-morning wake up calls while filming Gossip Girl, her passion for music, and the hustle of life in New York City - from the artistic inspiration to making peace with the rats. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jessica’s good friend and former castmate Chace Crawford (aka THE Nate Archibald) joins her to dive back into their Gossip Girl golden years. They recall some of their favorite memories, from the first time they met on set to rooftop parties with Ed Westwick to becoming Nate and Vanessa - arguably, a match made in heaven. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this bonus episode, Jessica continues her conversation with creators and showrunners Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage. They remember how the doors of New York City opened up to the Gossip Girl cast and crew (and the streets of Paris as well), discuss all the great music from the show, and reflect on re-making it for a new generation. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The woman who does it all with grace and style, Kelly Rutherford (Lily van der Woodsen) joins Jessica from Geneva to discuss what it's like being a new mom on set, building new family dynamics both on and off screen, and the joys of playing dress up with the Gossip Girl wardrobe closet. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All the way from London, Ed Westwick - who is not actually Chuck Bass, by the way - wakes up from his nap just in time to join Jessica on the podcast! Ed sets the record straight about his new puppy’s name, reveals just how close he came to not being allowed to work in the show, and gives some insight to the chemistry between Chuck and Blair. Oh, and his mum pops in to say hi as well. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What do you get when you combine the raw talent of Leighton Meester, the edginess of Ed Westwick, and the elegance of Kelly Rutherford? Well, it’s Gossip Girl of course... but how do you get that incredible group together in the first place? That’s where casting director David Rapaport comes in. He talks with Jessica all about the casting process, how he turned down a major network show for a little pilot on a little network called the CW, and how a little change to your hair might just change your whole life as an actor. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The brilliant minds that started it all, creators and executive producers Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage join Jessica to kick off XOXO right! They remember the fateful BBQ that brought them all together and put Jessica on the show, casting the rest of Manhattan’s elite, and how to turn bad press into great marketing. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hosted by Jessica Szohr, XOXO will be the ultimate deep dive into the cultural phenomenon known as Gossip Girl. Featuring interviews with the cast and crew, as well as moguls in music, fashion, and entertainment, Jessica will bring to life behind-the-scenes stories, on-set memories, New York City, fan favorite episodes, and more. Most of all, the podcast will be a walk down memory lane for the cast, crew, and fans alike, showing just how Gossip Girl changed their lives and influenced the culture of today - in addition to millions of fans across the world. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.