After Receiving Widespread Backlash For “Mocking” Ariana Grande On A Red Carpet, Leighton Meester Has Explained What Actually Went Down — And She’s Super Embarrassed About It

Published: Feb 19, 2026 11:18 AM • Updated: Feb 19, 2026 10:16 PM • Original source

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Leighton is setting the record straight!

I’ve been a pop culture journalist for over 10 years, which is both a terrifying and amazing concept — who would have thought that my love of celebrity gossip would literally pay my bills?

Leighton Meester explains her reaction to her viral encounter with Ariana Grande at the Critics Choice Awards:“I was with Kate [my publicist]. And she [Ariana] said something to me. And then Kate turns around and we both heard that she goes, ‘hi, I love you. Wah, wah, wah’. I… pic.twitter.com/WgR6Da4VYf