Deemed the ‘OC of NYC’, Gossip Girl is one of the juiciest dramas returning this season. Manhattan’s Upper East Side is home to seven gorgeous – ultra rich – teenagers whose lives are dished up online by an all-knowing, all-seeing anonymous blogger (Gossip Girl). Dreamy English actor Ed Westwick plays the flawed but sexy bad boy Chuck Bass. AOL gets the scoop:
AOL: Tell us about Gossip Girl and your character Chuck Bass.
EW: Gossip Girl is based around a group of teen socialites based in New York. Their lives are made a public forum by the anonymous blogger - Gossip Girl. The blogger combines real photos with rumour and innuendo and therein lies the story.
AOL: Your character Chuck Bass has the reputation as “The Bad Boy”. Why is Chuck Bass so bad?
EW: Chuck has this kind of spiteful arrogant side that he puts across because of his underlying vulnerability. I think that is a product of the relationship that he has with his family, the disconnected relationship that he has with his father. Chuck lives in one of his father’s hotels – hence unsupervised. The writers give no insight into the relationship with his mother. Chuck is a bi-product of those things.
AOL: The character Nate (Chase Crawford) is the all-American boy with classic good looks and impeccable manners. Do you think Chuck overcompensates for looks with guile while posturing as Nate’s best friend?
EW: Chuck too is blessed with allure, wit and charm. This makes him quite attractive to the girls, not to mention this astronomical wealth that he possesses. Nate embodies tradition but Chuck’s persona provides contrast and adds texture to the show.
AOL: This series can be called the “OC of NYC”. Current underlying themes relevant to a very young audience extend beyond the entertainment factor. Do you think the show responsibly addresses issues like morality, alcohol, divorce, etc.?
EW: I think the show does act responsibly as it demonstrates the consequences of poor choices. If you are not doing well in school or making good grades you won’t get into the college you want to. Nate’s father getting arrested for drug possession is a great demonstration of consequences. I think the show and its writers handle these topics responsibly because it has to. We do appeal to an audience that is quite impressionable. We use caution when we do things like product placement when we film the show because the viewers are paying attention. How could we not expect the viewers to obtain things like values?
AOL: Chuck is a style icon. Tell us about the significance of the scarf.
EW: The store that sold the scarf only had a few, and was struggling to stay afloat. The year before Gossip Girl came out, there were no orders for this particular item. When Chuck made it his trademark scarf sales soared and went through the roof. The scarf-makers are very happy!
AOL: Is this your first time in Australia? What do you intend to do while you are here?
EW: It is my first time. I intend to climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge and go to the Taronga Zoo.
AOL: You have a love of music that lends a whole new dimension to your persona off-screen. Tell us about your music? Where do you see that going?
EW: Yes, I am in a band. It is kind of an indy meets rock-n-roll funky thing. I am the front man. I never trained for it and some people wouldn’t consider what I do singing. It has been around long before Gossip Girl and with some guys from where I come from back home in England. It is something I enjoy and another creative outlet.
Starscope: How bad can Ed Westwick get? Check out our exclusive gallery.
- Stephenie Rodriguez
Credits: Warner Bros. International Television Distribution
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