Jordan Alexander Had an Incredible Interaction With Blake Lively Years Before Gossip Girl

The new Gossip Girl premiered on HBO Max on July 8, and Jordan Alexander is, without a doubt, one of its breakout stars. She plays Julien Calloway, Constance Billard School for Girls’ resident queen bee, who happens to be a popular Instagram influencer as well. But Julien’s life isn’t as perfect as her posts make it seem. Behind the scenes she’s struggling with identity, and she’s also trying to build a relationship with her half-sister, Zoya (Whitney Peak)—which is difficult given that Gossip Girl, plus her friends, are pulling them apart. Think Blair and Serena with the volume turned way up.

Alexander knows all about that dynamic—because she watched the O.G. Gossip Girl to prep for Julien. “It’s a really iconic series,” she tells me. “I definitely wanted to infuse as much of that in Julien as possible to give that nostalgic feeling.” Alexander expands on this and more in our conversation, below. You’ll never guess what her first interaction with Blake Lively was. (Hint: It had nothing to do with Gossip Girl.)

Glamour: Congrats on the show! It’s officially out. How are you feeling?

Jordan Alexander: I am feeling very excited and very happy for everyone who is involved because I think we all came together to make something really lovely.

Does it feel weird having it out in the world? This is a show that’s had such buzz around it.

It’s definitely very interesting because we live our independent lives, and we have an impact on the people who are close to us. But it’s a different kind of thing when you can potentially have an impact on someone you maybe don’t even know at all. I just hope it’s a positive one and that people are enjoying the escapism and the fantasy of it all.

How did this project come to you?

I was actually at a premiere with my friend Emily [Alyn Lind], who’s also on the show. In 2019 we were in a show called Sacred Lies together, and she was like, “I’m auditioning for Gossip Girl, you should totally audition.” I auditioned in, I believe it was February, and then I didn’t hear anything, and in the acting world that means you move on. Let it go. But then in August I heard that I was going for a screen test, and I was like, What? And then by September I was in New York.

Prior to the show, what was your relationship to Gossip Girl, either the books or the first series?

I only knew about the books because my little sister was reading them. And then when the show came out, we were really excited because we actually met Blake Lively in Vancouver with her family. They were so lovely to us and brought us on set. We were very excited to watch and support her, and obviously it was a very fun show, so it was really good.

That’s so interesting that you met Blake Lively. Do you remember what she said to you at all, or did you get a chance to talk to her?

We actually met at this church that both of our families were at at the time because she was filming Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, and her family was so kind to us. They invited us on set, and we were so excited. It was me, my two sisters, and my mom and dad, and we got to experience a movie set. Blake let me and my sisters pick what earrings she was going to wear. She had options for earrings for this day, and so she let us pick, which was so sweet.

The first Gossip Girl turned the cast into household names. Have you thought about that happening to your cast at all?

That’s definitely been on my mind pretty much since I got cast, just because even at that point, the show was fairly high-profile, especially because it’s going to be on HBO Max. That'’s a very high-profile streaming network and network in general. So I’ve been contemplating all of that for a while. Every lifestyle has its challenges and has its beautiful side.

What about Julien did you most identify with?

I really identified with her desire to be herself. She’s trying to be herself, but because she’s got things at such a young age, she doesn’t quite know who that is. So it gets a little muddled because she definitely puts out this polished veneer instead of her authentic self. But at the end of the day, that is her goal, I think. And my goal, for sure, especially with having more attention and being in the public eye, is to really just allow—if people are going to see something of me from me, it’s going to be the truth. It’s going to be authentic. It’s not going to be edited or polished or whatever. It will just be real.

How did you prepare for the role?

With the role I had before on Sacred Lies, I was playing a young foster kid. And so I did a lot of research online to get real-life stories about people who had experienced that system and who were living that life. I did the same thing on Gossip Girl to understand what that influencer lifestyle was and to understand what being extremely wealthy was like. Also, I watched the entirety of Gossip Girl to get a tone and a theme for my performance and my character, because it’s a really iconic series. I definitely wanted to infuse as much of that in Julien as possible to give that nostalgic feeling.

I love that you watched the show. With some actors, if they’re shooting a remake or reimagining of something iconic, their relationship to that material varies. Sometimes they don’t want to watch it at all, but you’re saying you found it helpful?

I found it super helpful because the Upper East Side and that glamorous lifestyle, I don’t have any experience with it at all. It was really fun to see how they portrayed it, and the hyper drama of it all. I felt like it helped me get a beat on what I wanted to do. But there are different approaches, right? I feel like either way, we achieved what we wanted to.

A second season seems inevitable. Have you thought about where you’d like Julien to go?

I’m very excited to see what the writers and showrunners have in store for Julien. I hope she gets to break her façade a little bit. I think that’s probably inevitable with Gossip Girl being around.

Growing up, what was your idea of what it meant to be a successful actor, and has that idea changed as you’ve become a working actor?

I’m very passionate about expressing myself through art and having fun and being creative. And to me, that is success in any profession, just being able to connect with yourself and have fun and enjoy your life.

Are there any particular makeup or skin-care products you’ve become a fan of from using them on Gossip Girl?

I am obsessed with Starface patches. I couldn’t believe how well they work. I was like, Wait, what is in this? I’m scared because how does that work so well? I also just discovered this acne exfoliating toner by Peach Slices. It’s really affordable. I think it’s maybe, like, $10 or $12, and I find that really, really helps my skin. And then Hada Labo products and Sand & Sky. I’d recommend anything by them.

Starface Acne Patches

$15.00, Starface

What’s been your favorite fashion moment on Gossip Girl so far?

That Christopher John Rogers gown from the first episode was fantastic. I actually got to wear two Christopher John Rogers gowns. That was a real princess fairy tale moment. I live for the drama and the camp, and stuff like that in fashion really excites me.

Is there a snack or beverage you like to have on set?

I love tea, so I actually bring my own personal kettle and then a bunch of tea so I can have as much tea as I want. It’s really nice and just, like, a little comfort. Of course, everyone’s welcome to use my kettle. And then I’d say apples. They give you energy and they’re nice, fresh, and delicious. Apples and tea, for sure!

Is there an issue or cause you hope to highlight with your larger platform?

I really would love the world to be a freer place for everyone—just an overall sense of inclusion, equity, and diversity. And then, of course, my beautiful LGBTQ+ alphabet mafia. I’m always riding for them.

Originally Appeared on Glamour