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Leighton Meester Teases Return to Music After 11-Year Hiatus (Exclusive)
Leighton Meester is ready to pull on fans' heartstrings again.
The Gossip Girl alum hinted at the possibility of returning to music, over 11 years after she released her debut album, Heartstrings.
"I'm just about ready," Leighton exclusively told E! News The Rundown's Erin Lim Rhodes on the red carpet at the I Love LA premiere in Los Angeles Oct. 28. "But it's a lot. It takes a lot, so I don't know. I'll do it eventually."
In the meantime, Leighton is focusing on her TV projects, which include her recent appearance on Netflix's Nobody Wants This and her role as Alyssa in I Love LA, which premieres on HBO Max Nov. 2 costarring Rachel Sennott, Josh Hutcherson, Jordan Firstman and Odessa A'zion.
For the Country Strong actress, shooting the comedy series was a memorable experience from day one.
"My first day of the first episode, we had a night shoot with a stripper," Leighton recalled, quipping, "I got a long, long, all-night-long lap dance."
But Leighton is excited about more than her career. The 39-year-old—who shares 10-year-old daughter Arlo and a 5-year-old son with husband Adam Brody—revealed that she's gearing up for some quality time with her family on Halloween.
"I love Halloween," Leighton shared. "I love decorating. We do all the presents and all this stuff. It's really fun. We have kids, so it's extra special and sweet."
Photo by Leon Bennett/GA/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty Images
And as for why the Monte Carlo actress took an 11-year hiatus from music in the first place? Leighton previously shared insight into her decision to walk away from the pop world after the release of Heartstrings in 2014.
"I just didn’t feel like I sang that well in those songs," she told Bustle in May. "That’s why I stopped doing that style of songwriting, because I didn’t feel really good when I would sing it."
Leighton added, "That was something that I figured out in my 20s."
The first episode of I Love LA arrives on HBO Max Nov. 2 at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT, with new episodes arriving weekly until Dec. 21. In the meantime, keep reading for more singers who are also talented actors.
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Eminem
Though the rapper's filmography isn't very long, it does include starring in the award-winning drama, 8 Mile.
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Rihanna
The singer has put in "Work" in the recording studio and on camera! The Barbadian beauty had a major role in Battleship and is part of the cast of Ocean's Eight.
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Janelle Monae
The "Tightrope" singer made a name for herself, being featured in two Oscar nominated films in 2017: Moonlight and Hidden Figures.
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Will Smith
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air got his start in the music industry, rapping with his childhood friend and producer DJ Jazzy Jeff.
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Donnie Wahlberg
The News Kids on the Block singer hasn't left his boyband roots behind, but has added actor to his resume, appearing in shows like Blue Bloods.
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Jennifer Hudson
The vocal powerhouse got her start on American Idol, but became a household name when her acting career took off with Dream Girls.
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Mark Wahlberg
Looks like it runs in the family! Formerly known as Marky Mark, the rapper turned actor is famous for his work on screen, ranging from action films to comedies like Ted.
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Queen Latifah
Beginning as a rapper, the star has shown she can do pretty much anything, even starring in the Oscar-winning Chicago.
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Justin Timberlake
Is there anything he can't do? The singer/designer/activist/actor is a true renaissance man. Don't believe us? Watch The Social Network and then we'll talk.
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Beyoncé
Before Queen Bey starred in Dream Girls, she was Foxy Cleopatra opposite Mike Meyers in Austin Powers in Gold Member.
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Lady Gaga
Mother Monster fit right in on the set of American Horror Story: Hotel, which brings the horror series to Los Angeles, Calif., before taking on A Star Is Born.
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Bow Wow
When the young rapper isn't in the studio, he's on the screen! The actor starred in Lottery Ticket in 2010, and has been a regular on CSI: Cyber since 2015.
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John Legend
"Everybody Knows" the singer for his hit songs, but he's also quite the actor, even appearing alongside Ryan Gosling in La La Land.
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Awkwafina
The rapper made the switch to television providing commentary on Girl Code - now she's a part of the films Crazy Rich Asians and Ocean's Eight.
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Ice Cube
"Straight Outta Compton" and onto the silver screen! The MC has had hit after hit - from "It Was a Good Day" to Are We There Yet?
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Cher
"I Got You Babe"...and also an Academy Award and a few Golden Globes. The superstar is known not only for her music, but for her acting in films like Moonstruck and Burlesque.
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Common
The hip-hop artist and Kanye West's collaborator does more than just music - he's also an actor, appearing in films like Selma and John Wick: Chapter 2.
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Ludacris
The rapper has always been a "Money Maker"; besides being a hip-hop legend, Luda stars in the Fast and Furious franchise.
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Madonna
The "Like A Virgin" singer is no virgin to the big screen, appearing in films like Evita and A League Of Their Own.
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LL Cool J
In addition to being one of the first mainstream hip-hop acts, the legendary rapper has starred in a number of films, and is a part of NCIS: LA.
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