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The Definitive Answer: 5 Shocking Truths About Who Is Gossip Girl (Original And Reboot)

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The question of "Who is Gossip Girl?" remains one of the most hotly debated and controversial reveals in modern television history, even years after the original series finale. As of late 2025, the identity of the anonymous blogger who terrorized the elite of the Upper East Side has been definitively confirmed across two separate series, yet the original revelation continues to divide fans, leading to fresh analyses and commentary on the plot twist.

From the iconic "Lonely Boy" to a collective of power-hungry teachers, the person—or people—behind the infamous blog has changed, but the voice of scandal has not. We're diving deep into the definitive answer for both the original 2007-2012 series and the 2021 HBO Max reboot, including the controversial alternate choices and the current life of the actor who played the ultimate saboteur.

The Man Behind the Mask: Penn Badgley's Biography and Profile

The character finally unmasked as the original Gossip Girl was Dan Humphrey, played by actor and musician Penn Badgley. His portrayal of the self-proclaimed "Lonely Boy" from Brooklyn who infiltrated the world of Upper East Side royalty made the reveal all the more shocking and, for many, nonsensical.

  • Full Name: Penn Dayton Badgley
  • Born: November 1, 1986
  • Place of Birth: Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
  • Key Roles Before *Gossip Girl*: Young Phillip Chancellor IV on *The Young and the Restless* (1999–2001), Sam in *The Mountain* (2004–2005).
  • Iconic Role: Dan Humphrey, the secret Gossip Girl, in *Gossip Girl* (2007–2012).
  • Current Major Role: Joe Goldberg in the Netflix psychological thriller series *You* (2018–present).
  • Music Career: Lead singer of the band MOTHXR.
  • Activism: Known for his social and political activism, often using his platform to discuss various issues.

Badgley's career has seen a significant resurgence with his role as the charming but psychopathic Joe Goldberg in *You*, a character often seen as an evolution of the stalkerish tendencies Dan Humphrey exhibited as the anonymous blogger.

The Definitive Answer: Who Was the Original Gossip Girl?

In the final episode of the original *Gossip Girl* series, which aired in 2012, the identity of the anonymous blogger who chronicled the lives of Serena van der Woodsen, Blair Waldorf, Chuck Bass, and Nate Archibald was revealed to be Dan Humphrey.

This revelation meant that Dan, the outsider who had been desperately trying to fit in with the Manhattan elite, was the puppet master behind years of chaos, scandal, and betrayal. His motivation, as explained in the finale, was a desperate attempt to write himself into the story of the Upper East Side and, specifically, to win the heart of Serena van der Woodsen.

The Controversy That Still Lingers

The choice of Dan Humphrey as Gossip Girl was, and remains, highly controversial among fans and critics alike.

Many viewers pointed out numerous instances throughout the six seasons where Dan was alone while reading a Gossip Girl blast, or where he himself was a victim of a blast—actions that would logically be impossible if he were the source.

A recent 2024 retrospective on the series highlights this major plot hole, suggesting the writers struggled to maintain consistency once the decision was made.

The Alternate Choices for Gossip Girl

Adding to the controversy, executive producer Joshua Safran confirmed that Dan was not the original plan.

Safran revealed that two other characters were seriously considered for the role before the final decision was made:

  1. Serena van der Woodsen (Blake Lively): The original 'It Girl' who was the subject of the very first blast.
  2. Nate Archibald (Chace Crawford): The character known for his moral compass and lack of involvement in the blog's chaos, which would have been a surprising twist.

However, according to Safran, the show's creators abandoned the idea of Nate when they realized it would be nearly impossible to justify his actions. The decision to make Dan the culprit was reportedly a last-minute choice influenced by a leak to the *New York Post*, forcing the writers to pivot.

The Voice Behind the Scandal: Kristen Bell's Enduring Role

While Dan Humphrey was the person typing the posts, the iconic, sultry voice delivering the "XOXO, Gossip Girl" sign-off belonged to actress Kristen Bell in both the original series and the 2021 reboot.

Bell's voiceover work is considered essential to the show's identity. She never filmed scenes with the main cast, working exclusively in voiceover, which allowed her to remain a mysterious, omnipresent entity.

Kristen Bell: Biography and Profile

Kristen Bell's career extends far beyond the narrator of the Upper East Side.

  • Born: July 18, 1980
  • Key Roles: Veronica Mars in *Veronica Mars* (2004–2007; 2019), Princess Anna in Disney's *Frozen* franchise (2013–present), and Eleanor Shellstrop in *The Good Place* (2016–2020).
  • Accolades: Her work has earned her various nominations, including a Golden Globe.
  • Impact: Her distinct vocal performance as Gossip Girl is often cited as one of the best narrator roles in television history, seamlessly bridging the gap between the two generations of the show.

Who is Gossip Girl in the HBO Max Reboot? A Collective of Teachers

The 2021 *Gossip Girl* reboot took a radically different approach to the blogger's identity, revealing it in the very first episode. This time, Gossip Girl is not a single person but a collective of disgruntled teachers at Constance Billard-St. Jude's.

The teachers, frustrated by the lack of discipline and the untouchable nature of their wealthy, privileged students, decide to resurrect the old Gossip Girl account—now on Instagram—to regain control and hold the students accountable.

The Leaders of the New Scandal

The main individuals behind the new account include:

  • Kate Keller (Tavi Gevinson): The English teacher who initiates the plan and becomes the primary operator and driving force of the new Gossip Girl.
  • Rebecca Sherman (Sarah Baskin): The teacher who originally suggested the idea, having been a fan of the original blog.
  • Jordan Glassberg (Adam Chanler-Berat): A former teacher and Kate's boyfriend who helps manage the technical aspects of the account, including rerouting information to protect the collective.

The reboot’s decision to reveal the identity immediately shifted the focus from a "whodunit" mystery to a commentary on power dynamics, social media surveillance, and class warfare in the modern Upper East Side.

From Lonely Boy to Teacher Collective: The Legacy of Gossip Girl

The enduring fascination with "Who is Gossip Girl?" speaks to the show's successful creation of a cultural phenomenon centered on secrets, privilege, and the power of an anonymous voice. Whether it's the original controversial reveal of Dan Humphrey, the "Lonely Boy" who wrote himself into Manhattan's history, or the collective of teachers using the platform to seek justice in the reboot, the identity of Gossip Girl is a central piece of TV lore.

While the original ending may continue to spark debate in 2025, the legacy is clear: the voice of Kristen Bell and the mystery of the Upper East Side's ultimate saboteur have cemented *Gossip Girl* as an iconic piece of pop culture. XOXO.

who is the gossip girl
who is the gossip girl

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