- 2008
The Sisterhood Sequel
Lively, Bledel, Ferrera and Tamblyn appear in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2, which opens at No. 4, pulling in $10.8 million in its first week. "These [films] are [about] four girls loving each other and supporting each other and the friendship is really the most important thing," Lively tells CNN. "It's not the love interest or the cute, popular boy in school that you get."
Blake Covers Cosmo
Declaring her "Hollywood’s proverbial It Girl," Cosmopolitan puts Lively on its September cover. "I don’t drink. I don’t do drugs. But I do sleep around a lot," Lively jokes in the magazine. Comparing herself to her Gossip Girl character, Lively says of her days as a high schooler, "I was class president, on the cheerleading squad, in a competitive show choir, and in, like, six different clubs."
- 2009
Finger-Licking Good!
The cast of Gossip Girl stars in a series of provocative photos shot for Rolling Stone, with Lively and Meester scoring the cover. In her interview with the mag, Lively says she was initially skeptical about starring in GG, but was finally convinced when producer Stephenie Savage "told her what her wardrobe would be," says series creator Josh Schwartz. "Serena's a lot like me," Lively says. "[But] I make Serena a little more goofy, just because that's how I am."
More Than Serena
In the drama, The Private Lives of Pippa Lee, Lively sheds her GG ways for a heftier role as the younger version of costar Robin Wright's character. Her performance in the film, opposite Alan Arkin, garners the attention of Ben Affeck, who casts the actress in his upcoming film, The Town. "She came in, did one reading, and just crushed it," Affleck tells Esquire.
- 2010
Blake's First No. 1
Lively leaves her New York party girl persona behind to play a drug-addicted single mom from Boston in The Town – which debuts at the top of the box office, earning $23.8 million. "I love this character because of the challenge," she tells USA Today. "I'm sure there are people who were much more qualified and talented, who could have or should have done this role. But I thought I had to play this role because it ignited such passion within me."
The Single Life
After dating for more than two years, Lively and Badgley call it quits, reps for both Gossip Girl stars confirm to PEOPLE. "I don't comment on my relationships. . . . My anonymity is something I treasure," Lively recently told Allure. "Wanting to be an actor and wanting to be famous are different."
Hot Gossip
With her romance with Badgley behind her, Lively is spotted at Disneyland with actor Ryan Gosling, sparking romance rumors that spread when the actress attends the New York premiere party of his film, Blue Valentine, in December. "She's an incredible actress; she's a good friend," Gosling tells PEOPLE. "You're not allowed to have friends in this business."
- 2011
The Love Boat
Lively sparks reports of a new romance when she's spotted hugging Leonardo DiCaprio on a yacht during the Cannes Film Festival in France. A week later, the pair continue their European jaunt in Italy, where paparazzi capture the smitten stars holding hands. In October, Lively's summer romance with DiCaprio comes to an end.
On Top of the World
Jumping into the comic-book genre, Lively is a box office smash with Green Lantern, which rakes in $52.6 million its opening weekend. As pilot Carol Ferris, boss and love interest to Hal Jordan (Ryan Reynolds), Lively revels in playing a strong-willed woman. "To get to rival the hero is something so unique," she says of the role. "It was a really nice dynamic."
Reuniting with Ryan
Weeks after calling it quits with Leo, Lively reunites with Green Lantern costar Ryan Reynolds, whom she visits on the Boston set of R.I.P.D. for his 35th birthday. "They are very much a couple," a source tells PEOPLE of the pair, who buy a home together in the New Year.
Photo Credits
BIOGRAPHY (top to bottom): Warner Bros.; Courtesy of Rolling Stone; Screen Media Films; Claire Folger/Warner Bros.; INF; Stephen Lovekin/Getty, Krista Kennell/Sipa; Fame; Courtesy Warner Bros.; AKM-GSI
- Name
- Blake Lively
- Date of Birth
- August 25, 1987
- Birth Place
- Tarzana, Calif.
- Relationships
-
Ryan Reynolds, husband (Oct. 2011 to present)
Leonardo DiCaprio, ex-boyfriend (May 2011 to Sept. 2011)
Ryan Gosling (linked in 2010)
Penn Badgley, ex-boyfriend (2008 to 2010)
Kelly Blatz, ex-boyfriend (2004 to 2007)
