Since Michelle Trachtenberg’s passing was announced, she’s received an outpouring of love from people who knew her, including former co-star Blake Lively. Unfortunately, some people who saw Lively’s message thought she was being insincere.
Upon hearing about her “Gossip Girl” co-star Michelle Trachtenberg’s death on February 26, 2025, Blake Lively paid tribute to her on social media. She shared a still from an episode of the show on her Instagram Story, showing her and Trachtenberg interacting.Lively wrote a long but heartfelt post on top of the image, explaining that the photo captured the first day they met. She described the late actress as “electricity,” saying, “You knew when she entered a room because the vibration changed.”She shared that Trachtenberg gave her all in everything she did, giving “200%.” Lively recalled how her co-star laughed to “the fullest” at people’s jokes. She confronted authority head-on when she felt there was injustice and cared deeply about her work.
The actress also revealed that Trachtenberg was proud to be part of the Hollywood community and industry despite the challenges it sometimes brought. She was loyal to her friends and displayed courage for those she loved. The actress further described her late co-star as bold, big-hearted, and “distinctly herself.”She also mentioned that Trachtenberg “always had yummy caramel-smelling lipgloss on, because she didn’t just want to sparkle on camera; she liked creating an experience for anyone who was in her orbit, even down to the subtle smell of her lipgloss because she cared about the sweet details.”
According to Lively, Trachtenberg was also a deeply kind person. Mourning her co-star, she expressed how she had taken for granted the possibility of seeing her “old friend” again. Paraphrasing a quote to describe her feelings, she said, “The real tragedies in life are the ones that blindside you on an idle Tuesday.”
Lively concluded her post by urging her fans to cherish the people they hold dear. She shared that the world had lost someone deeply sensitive and good. The start ended her message with, “May her work and her huge heart be remembered by those who were lucky enough to experience her fire.”
However, some people who saw Lively’s tribute questioned her intentions. One person commented, “It’s not coming off as genuine idc idc idc.” Another critic speculated, “She wants the spotlight again.”
Someone else wrote, “I can’t believe this tone deaf [sic] actress is using Michele’s death to further her own agenda. SHAMELESS!!!!!!” Responding to a part of Lively’s statement, another netizen remarked, “That’s a weird statement.”
Despite the criticism, Lively’s heartfelt tribute to Trachtenberg showcased the love and respect she had for her late co-star. Although her intentions were questioned by some, her words highlighted the beautiful memories they once shared.