I Love LA and Leighton Meester's Experience
Leighton Meester stars as a typical LA publicist in the HBO series I Love LA, playing Alyssa, the boss of Maia, portrayed by Rachel Sennott. While her own experiences with publicists differ from the show, other aspects resonated deeply with her.
Reflection on Toxic Work Environments
Leighton opened up about having been in toxic workplaces, relating to the complicated relationship between Maia, an ambitious employee, and her demanding boss Alyssa. She said:
"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."
On Working with Josh Hutcherson
During a joint interview with co-star Josh Hutcherson, he expressed surprise at her admission of difficult past work experiences:
"In this industry, that's happened to you?"
Leighton responded:
"It's shocking."
Finding Safety in the Show
Meester enjoyed portraying the toxic dynamics in a comedic and safe setting. She commented on the relief it brought:
"It was really fun to play with in a safe, comedic environment."
This experience allowed her to embrace the role fully and feel the excitement of acting without the real-life negative weight.
Author’s Summary
Leighton Meester finds creative freedom in portraying toxic workplace dynamics on I Love LA, contrasting her real past with difficult work environments while enjoying a safer, comedic space.