It’s hard to believe that ten years ago, Leighton Meester was crisscrossing the country on her Heartstrings tour. Back then, the actress, best known for her role in Gossip Girl, had just released her debut album, and she was on the road supporting it. For eight weeks, she performed for hundreds of fans each night, giving it her all while traveling from one city to the next. But oh, how much has changed since then!
A lot can happen in a decade, and for Meester, that journey has been anything but ordinary. She’s been keeping a relatively low profile in the music world, with no new albums or singles in over ten years. But recent events have led to a surprising resurgence of support for her. Last week, her Los Angeles home tragically burned down in the wildfires that have been ravaging the city, a loss that deeply affected her and her family. Yet, even amidst this tragedy, her loyal fanbase has rallied around her in an incredible way, bringing Meester’s music back into the spotlight.
Right now, Heartstrings is sitting pretty at Number 21 on the iTunes all-genre album chart. And get this—it’s positioned just above some major names like Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department, Post Malone’s F-1 Trillion, and Bob Dylan’s Greatest Hits. Talk about a major win! Even more impressive, her 2010 single “Your Love’s a Drug” has managed to break into the iTunes songs chart. Now that’s some serious love from the fans.
What makes this resurgence even more interesting is that this wasn’t a random event. It was all thanks to TikTok users who decided to bring Heartstrings back into the limelight. They were inspired by the viral success of Heidi Montag, who also lost her home in the same wildfire disaster. Montag’s old music recently experienced a sudden and unexpected surge, topping the iTunes charts for the first time in years. So, when fans saw Meester’s loss, they made it their mission to give her music the same kind of second chance. One user, Gibson Johns, captured the sentiment perfectly in a TikTok video. “Can the internet also do what it did for Heidi Montag’s underrated music from over a decade ago to Leighton Meester's underappreciated bops?” he asked, playing Meester’s lesser-known track “Summer Girl” in the background. “Her house also burned down, and this music deserves its moment in the sun!!!”
It wasn’t just the fans on TikTok who helped push Meester’s music back into the public eye. Another key figure in this revival is none other than rapper and media personality Flavor Flav. Known for his larger-than-life personality and iconic moments in hip-hop history, Flav has become one of the most vocal supporters of the Heartstrings revival. In fact, he shared no less than eight separate TikTok videos set to Heidi Montag’s single “I’ll Do It,” showing his full support for her. But more recently, he’s shifted his attention to Meester’s music. In a post he shared with his followers, Flav wrote, “Starting to hype up my girl Leighton Meester and help her family recover from the fire,” all while promoting her song “Somebody to Love.” He even encouraged his fans to stream the track and use it in their own TikToks.
This kind of social media-driven support isn’t just about nostalgia; it’s also a way of helping out artists who are often overlooked in today’s fast-moving music scene. For Meester, whose debut album Heartstrings was written entirely by her, this resurgence means more than just getting her songs back on the charts. It’s about giving her the recognition she deserves for her talent, as well as helping her recover from the devastation of losing her home. And let’s not forget—buying albums and singles, rather than streaming them, gives more revenue directly to the artist, which is a big deal for independent songwriters like Meester.
For those who may not remember, Heartstrings was a beautiful mix of folk, indie, and pop, showcasing a different side of Meester than her Gossip Girl persona. Tracks like “Your Love’s a Drug” and “Summer Girl” revealed her raw, emotional songwriting style, and they became fan favorites in the years since. While she may have stepped away from music for a while, her unique sound has stood the test of time, with a passionate fanbase who’s more than ready to see her get the recognition she deserves.
The fact that her single “Your Love’s a Drug” is climbing the charts again is just another reminder of how powerful the internet can be when fans rally behind something they believe in. TikTok, with its ability to reignite old songs and give them new life, has become a huge platform for artists looking to get a second chance. It’s not just about getting a viral moment—it's about building a community and a sense of belonging for both the artist and the fans.
Of course, there’s the emotional side to all of this. Meester, who lives in her Pacific Palisades home with her husband Adam Brody and their two young children, has had to navigate through one of the most difficult times in her life. Losing a home to wildfires is something no one should ever have to experience, especially when it affects not just your personal life but also your community. The outpouring of support from her fans, friends, and fellow celebrities is a testament to how much she’s beloved, not just for her acting or her music, but for the person she is.
Looking ahead, it’s clear that Meester’s career in music isn’t over just because she hasn’t released a new album in over a decade. In fact, this revival might be just the beginning of something even bigger. If Heartstrings continues to rise up the charts and fans continue to rally around her, there’s a chance that we could see more new music from Leighton Meester in the future. And who knows—maybe this time, the world will be ready to give her the recognition she’s always deserved.
In conclusion, the incredible story of Leighton Meester’s musical resurgence is a reminder of the power of fan support, the role of social media in today’s music industry, and the resilience of artists who continue to create, even when life throws obstacles in their path. Whether it’s the unexpected success of Heartstrings or the encouragement from fellow artists like Flavor Flav, Meester’s journey is a testament to the enduring power of music—and the incredible bond between an artist and their fans.
Login