Leighton Meester and Adam Brody's Relationship Timeline

Mar. 15, 2025

Adam Brody and Leighton Meester attend the LA Screening Of Fox Searchlight’s “Ready Or Not” on August 19, 2019 in Culver City, California.Photo:Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty

Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty

Leighton MeesterandAdam Brodyhave been going strong for more than a decade.

Meester and Brody now sharetwo children: a daughter, Arlo, born in 2015, and a son, whose name has not been revealed, born in 2020.

From being costars to starting a family, here is a complete timeline of Leighton Meester and Adam Brody’s relationship.

01of 25February 2013: Leighton Meester and Adam Brody start datingAndrew H. Walker/GettyBrody and Meester first worked together in 2011 on the set ofThe Orangesand delighted fans of bothThe O.C.andGossip Girlwhen it was revealed in February 2013 they were dating. On Feb. 21, the couple was spotted heading out on a dinner date in Venice, California.However, representatives for both actors did not comment on the news, setting a very private precedent for the couple’s relationship.During an episode ofAnna Faris’Unqualifiedpodcaston March 29, 2021, Brodyfinally revealedhow the couple first met.“I was onThe O.C.,and that was coming to an end, andGossip Girlwas starting. Josh Schwartz produced both shows,” said Brody. “The first time we met, that whole cast was eating at Canter’s [in Los Angeles], and I lived at Canter’s for, like, my entire 20s. I was leaving, and he introduced all of us and then [I] bumped into her, like, two or three times over the next couple of years.““Then we did this movie together,The Oranges. I was seeing someone at the time,” he continued. “So we met kind of through mutual work friends off and on. We didn’t get together until about a year after that movie, when I was single.”

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February 2013: Leighton Meester and Adam Brody start dating

Andrew H. Walker/Getty

Brody and Meester first worked together in 2011 on the set ofThe Orangesand delighted fans of bothThe O.C.andGossip Girlwhen it was revealed in February 2013 they were dating. On Feb. 21, the couple was spotted heading out on a dinner date in Venice, California.

However, representatives for both actors did not comment on the news, setting a very private precedent for the couple’s relationship.

During an episode ofAnna Faris’Unqualifiedpodcaston March 29, 2021, Brodyfinally revealedhow the couple first met.

“I was onThe O.C.,and that was coming to an end, andGossip Girlwas starting. Josh Schwartz produced both shows,” said Brody. “The first time we met, that whole cast was eating at Canter’s [in Los Angeles], and I lived at Canter’s for, like, my entire 20s. I was leaving, and he introduced all of us and then [I] bumped into her, like, two or three times over the next couple of years.”

“Then we did this movie together,The Oranges. I was seeing someone at the time,” he continued. “So we met kind of through mutual work friends off and on. We didn’t get together until about a year after that movie, when I was single.”

02of 25April 2013: Leighton Meester and Adam Brody film ‘Life Partners’ togetherIn April 2013, Meester and Brody filmed another movie,Life Partners, where they shared a few scenes.The film debuted the following year at the 2014 Tribeca Film Festival and was released in theaters in December 2014 — after the couple married.

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April 2013: Leighton Meester and Adam Brody film ‘Life Partners’ together

In April 2013, Meester and Brody filmed another movie,Life Partners, where they shared a few scenes.

The film debuted the following year at the 2014 Tribeca Film Festival and was released in theaters in December 2014 — after the couple married.

03of 25June 26, 2013: Leighton Meester and Adam Brody make their first public appearance togetherAngela Weiss/GettyTheir firstpublic outing as a couplewas in June 26, 2013, at the premiere ofSome Girl(s)in North Hollywood. Brody starred in the film as The Man. The pair also posed with actress Mia Maestro at the event, who costarred in the comedy with Brody.

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June 26, 2013: Leighton Meester and Adam Brody make their first public appearance together

Angela Weiss/Getty

Their firstpublic outing as a couplewas in June 26, 2013, at the premiere ofSome Girl(s)in North Hollywood. Brody starred in the film as The Man. The pair also posed with actress Mia Maestro at the event, who costarred in the comedy with Brody.

04of 25November 2013: Leighton Meester and Adam Brody get engagedTodd Williamson/GettyPEOPLE confirmed in November 2013 that the notoriously private couple wasengaged. The news came just a few months after Meester and Brody went public with their relationship. The following month, Meesterhid her ring fingerwhen she was photographed while out on a walk with Brody.

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November 2013: Leighton Meester and Adam Brody get engaged

Todd Williamson/Getty

PEOPLE confirmed in November 2013 that the notoriously private couple wasengaged. The news came just a few months after Meester and Brody went public with their relationship. The following month, Meesterhid her ring fingerwhen she was photographed while out on a walk with Brody.

05of 25February 2014: Leighton Meester and Adam Brody get marriedMeester and Brody reportedlymarried in February 2014in a hush-hush wedding in Northern California.“She’s very happy. She has a lovely ring. She likes [it] a lot,” a source told PEOPLE about the new bride, adding that the “under-wraps wedding” was “super intimate” and “super recently — a couple weeks ago.”

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February 2014: Leighton Meester and Adam Brody get married

Meester and Brody reportedlymarried in February 2014in a hush-hush wedding in Northern California.

“She’s very happy. She has a lovely ring. She likes [it] a lot,” a source told PEOPLE about the new bride, adding that the “under-wraps wedding” was “super intimate” and “super recently — a couple weeks ago.”

06of 25June 8, 2014: Leighton Meester and Adam Brody make their red carpet debutDimitrios Kambouris/GettyJust a few months after getting married, Meester and Brody finally made theirred carpet debutat the 2014 Tony Awards.At the time, Meester was starring on Broadway inOf Mice and Men.

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June 8, 2014: Leighton Meester and Adam Brody make their red carpet debut

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty

Just a few months after getting married, Meester and Brody finally made theirred carpet debutat the 2014 Tony Awards.

At the time, Meester was starring on Broadway inOf Mice and Men.

07of 25August 4, 2015: Leighton Meester and Adam Brody welcome their first child togetherThe pair welcomed their first child, Arlo Day, into the world on Aug. 4, 2015. The two have kept Arlo out of the public eye.Leighton explained toRefinery29that while she doesn’t often talk about Arlo, “I am very proud of that area of my life. But I’m also really proud of … the work I do,” adding, “I think the perception is: You’re an ingenue, or you’re an icon, or you’re a mom. There’s no in between.”

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August 4, 2015: Leighton Meester and Adam Brody welcome their first child together

The pair welcomed their first child, Arlo Day, into the world on Aug. 4, 2015. The two have kept Arlo out of the public eye.

Leighton explained toRefinery29that while she doesn’t often talk about Arlo, “I am very proud of that area of my life. But I’m also really proud of … the work I do,” adding, “I think the perception is: You’re an ingenue, or you’re an icon, or you’re a mom. There’s no in between.”

08of 25July 2017: Leighton Meester and Adam Brody volunteer for Feeding AmericaAraya Diaz/GettyThe couple volunteered atFeeding America’s Summer Hunger Awarenessevent in July 2017. Brody was spotted arm wrestling with a group of children.

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July 2017: Leighton Meester and Adam Brody volunteer for Feeding America

Araya Diaz/Getty

The couple volunteered atFeeding America’s Summer Hunger Awarenessevent in July 2017. Brody was spotted arm wrestling with a group of children.

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May 8, 2019: Adam Brody first appears on Leighton Meester’s sitcom

Kelsey McNeal via Getty

The acting duo knows how to mix work and play!

Brody made his first appearance on Meester’s ABC sitcomSingle Parentsin May 2019, playing her character’sdeadbeat boyfriend, Derek. From 2019 to 2020, Brody appeared in seven episodes of the series.

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The pairadmitted toEntertainment Tonightin their first joint interview in 2017 that they laugh thinking about how Meester’sGossip Girlcharacter, Blair Waldorf, married Brody’sThe O.C.character, Seth Cohen. Brody joked that they have a “Seth and Blair day” because “it’s good for a laugh,” while Meester said, “It doesn’t excite us, I think, because we’re just human beings … but it’s exciting to us that it’s exciting to you.”

11of 25August 2019: Adam Brody talks about his private relationship with Leighton MeesterDimitrios Kambouris/GettyIn an interview withGQin August 2019, Brody spoke about why he and Meester were so private about their relationship.“She’s more inherently private than I am,” he explained. “I don’t seek publicity, but if I’m sitting next to you on the subway, I’ll tell you everything about me. We’re homebodies. We don’t go to a lot of things that perhaps we could and don’t seek out promotion in that way. I’m not s——- on anyone who monetizes that aspect of their life because I get it. But we’ve found this great balance so far that really works for us. We’re also not very active on social media.”

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August 2019: Adam Brody talks about his private relationship with Leighton Meester

In an interview withGQin August 2019, Brody spoke about why he and Meester were so private about their relationship.

“She’s more inherently private than I am,” he explained. “I don’t seek publicity, but if I’m sitting next to you on the subway, I’ll tell you everything about me. We’re homebodies. We don’t go to a lot of things that perhaps we could and don’t seek out promotion in that way. I’m not s——- on anyone who monetizes that aspect of their life because I get it. But we’ve found this great balance so far that really works for us. We’re also not very active on social media.”

12of 25August 19, 2019: Leighton Meester and Adam Brody make a rare red carpet appearanceAdam Brody and Leighton Meester.Matt Winkelmeyer/GettyWhile the spouses rarely make event appearances together, they both attended thepremiere of Brody’s filmReady or Notin Aug. 19, 2019, at the ArcLight in Culver City, California.Two days later, Meesterposted a photo on Instagramof the pair on the red carpet and captioned it, “Me and my hero.”

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August 19, 2019: Leighton Meester and Adam Brody make a rare red carpet appearance

Adam Brody and Leighton Meester.Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty

While the spouses rarely make event appearances together, they both attended thepremiere of Brody’s filmReady or Notin Aug. 19, 2019, at the ArcLight in Culver City, California.

Two days later, Meesterposted a photo on Instagramof the pair on the red carpet and captioned it, “Me and my hero.”

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March 31, 2020: Leighton Meester and Adam Brody are expecting their second child

“Somebody just told me I got fat. That’s really nice,” Meester said,according to E! News.Lewis responded, “That is not nice, you guys.”

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September 2020: Adam Brody confirms he and Leighton Meester have welcomed their second child

Gregg DeGuire/WireImage

Since last I played, I have a new kid,” said the former O.C. actor. “I have a boy, and he’s a dream. He’s a dream boy.”

The following month,Brody told PEOPLEhe appreciated spending time with his family, including his new son, in quarantine.

“It’s been pretty magical,” said Brody. “It’s such a crazy time for everyone, and we’re so, so, so fortunate that we have some of the security we do and have the flexibility with our jobs we do. We talk about it all the time, and we’re just ridiculously fortunate and lucky.”

“To be more or less quarantined during [this] time — the last trimester of pregnancy and the fourth trimester, if you will — has its benefits,” he added. “You’ve gotten to be in a cocoon. The world outside is scary for the moment and also thrilling and hopeful.”

15of 25December 15, 2020: Leighton Meester and Adam Brody go surfingOn Sept. 15, 2020, Meester and Brody werephotographed surfingin Malibu, California.In her 2019 cover interview forShape, Meester revealed that Brody introduced her to surfing.“My husband also taught me how to surf, and in the last year, I got really into it,” she said. “For the last six months, surfing has pretty much been my main form of exercise.“Meester added, “I have found that when I don’t have a physical result in mind when I’m exercising — it’s not just about getting sore or getting abs or burning fat — I feel much more confident. I’m working on a skill, and that is so fulfilling to me. Plus, being in the ocean is such a spiritual experience that you forget you’re getting a real workout.”

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December 15, 2020: Leighton Meester and Adam Brody go surfing

On Sept. 15, 2020, Meester and Brody werephotographed surfingin Malibu, California.

In her 2019 cover interview forShape, Meester revealed that Brody introduced her to surfing.

“My husband also taught me how to surf, and in the last year, I got really into it,” she said. “For the last six months, surfing has pretty much been my main form of exercise.”

Meester added, “I have found that when I don’t have a physical result in mind when I’m exercising — it’s not just about getting sore or getting abs or burning fat — I feel much more confident. I’m working on a skill, and that is so fulfilling to me. Plus, being in the ocean is such a spiritual experience that you forget you’re getting a real workout.”

16of 25March 4, 2022: Leighton Meester say it’s “really amazing” to see Adam Brody as a fatherDuring an interview withAccess Hollywoodto promote her Netflix filmThe Weekend Away,Meester spoke candidly about the “joy” of watching Brody as a father.“I get the joy and the pleasure of watching him become a father,” said Meester. “He’s everything that I imagined he would be as a father when we [first] decided to have kids. It is really amazing he has become that and [is] becoming every day more so.”

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March 4, 2022: Leighton Meester say it’s “really amazing” to see Adam Brody as a father

During an interview withAccess Hollywoodto promote her Netflix filmThe Weekend Away,Meester spoke candidly about the “joy” of watching Brody as a father.

“I get the joy and the pleasure of watching him become a father,” said Meester. “He’s everything that I imagined he would be as a father when we [first] decided to have kids. It is really amazing he has become that and [is] becoming every day more so.”

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November 7, 2022: Adam Brody and Leighton Meester step out for the ‘Fleishman Is in Trouble’ premiere

Noam Galai/Getty

Meester accompanied Brody at thered carpet premiereof his new FX series,Fleishman Is in Trouble,at Carnegie Hall.

18of 25March 8, 2023: Adam Brody says marrying Leighton Meester was an “easy decision"During an interview on SiriusXM’sThe Jess Cagle Show, Brody opened up about the early days of his relationship with Meester.“My wife and I actually got married very fastafter we started dating,” he said. “That’s how sort of easy a decision it was for me and us. I was never scared of the idea of marriage or kids. It always seemed, you know, like a route I would go eventually.“The O.C.alum continued: “I was excited … when it came together, when I met the right person.”

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March 8, 2023: Adam Brody says marrying Leighton Meester was an “easy decision”

During an interview on SiriusXM’sThe Jess Cagle Show, Brody opened up about the early days of his relationship with Meester.

“My wife and I actually got married very fastafter we started dating,” he said. “That’s how sort of easy a decision it was for me and us. I was never scared of the idea of marriage or kids. It always seemed, you know, like a route I would go eventually.”

The O.C.alum continued: “I was excited … when it came together, when I met the right person.”

19of 25April 12, 2023: Adam Brody says he was “smitten instantly” with Leighton MeesterDuring an interview onPodcrushed, Brody recalled the moment he met Meester.“I think the first time I saw her is when I met her at Canter’s, the deli in Los Angeles,” he said. “That’s when I saw her, and, yeah,I was smitten instantly. And I was, you know, smitten for a long time. I didn’t get to know her for many years after.“The O.C.alum went on to call his wife “so lovely” and “so sweet” before talking about the success of their marriage.“So much of who I am is her, and who she is is me. We’re fortunate to love each other like we do,” he said.

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April 12, 2023: Adam Brody says he was “smitten instantly” with Leighton Meester

During an interview onPodcrushed, Brody recalled the moment he met Meester.

“I think the first time I saw her is when I met her at Canter’s, the deli in Los Angeles,” he said. “That’s when I saw her, and, yeah,I was smitten instantly. And I was, you know, smitten for a long time. I didn’t get to know her for many years after.”

The O.C.alum went on to call his wife “so lovely” and “so sweet” before talking about the success of their marriage.

“So much of who I am is her, and who she is is me. We’re fortunate to love each other like we do,” he said.

20of 25August 1, 2023: Adam Brody and Leighton Meester’s filmRiver Wildpremieres on NetflixMeester and Brody star in the pulse-pounding thrillerRiver Wildabout a whitewater rafting trip gone wrong. Ahead of the film’s premiere on Netflix, the couple spoke withEntertainment Weekly.“We were outside in the elements — the heat of summer, on the ground or in the cold water, the racing rapids, or on the raft,” Meester said. “The emotional process was challenging as well, but having my partner [in] the cast made every moment enjoyable and put me at ease.“Brody, who plays the movie’s antagonist, jokingly added: “My absolute favorite part of filming was chasing Leighton through the woods at full speed.”

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August 1, 2023: Adam Brody and Leighton Meester’s filmRiver Wildpremieres on Netflix

Meester and Brody star in the pulse-pounding thrillerRiver Wildabout a whitewater rafting trip gone wrong. Ahead of the film’s premiere on Netflix, the couple spoke withEntertainment Weekly.

“We were outside in the elements — the heat of summer, on the ground or in the cold water, the racing rapids, or on the raft,” Meester said. “The emotional process was challenging as well, but having my partner [in] the cast made every moment enjoyable and put me at ease.”

Brody, who plays the movie’s antagonist, jokingly added: “My absolute favorite part of filming was chasing Leighton through the woods at full speed.”

21of 25August 25, 2023: Leighton Meester talks about giving her kids what she “never had” growing upMeester opened up to PEOPLEabout raising kidswith Brody. “It’s such an emotional journey to have children, and it certainly has made me reflect on my own upbringing and childhood,” she said.“Having children, I want to give them all that we never had when we were growing up,” she added, noting that she “dealt with food insecurity” when she was young.

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August 25, 2023: Leighton Meester talks about giving her kids what she “never had” growing up

Meester opened up to PEOPLEabout raising kidswith Brody. “It’s such an emotional journey to have children, and it certainly has made me reflect on my own upbringing and childhood,” she said.

“Having children, I want to give them all that we never had when we were growing up,” she added, noting that she “dealt with food insecurity” when she was young.

22of 25November 21, 2023: Leighton Meester says she and Adam Brody feel “lucky” to have each otherAdam Brody and Leighton Meester at the premiere of “Shazam! Fury of the Gods” on March 14, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.Gilbert Flores/Variety/GettyMeester and Brody don’t take their relationship for granted.“We’re super, super lucky, and I think we recognize how lucky we are with one another,” the actress toldE! News. “We give each other a lot of respect and time and attention and focus. Like, really put our time and energy into [our] relationship.”

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November 21, 2023: Leighton Meester says she and Adam Brody feel “lucky” to have each other

Adam Brody and Leighton Meester at the premiere of “Shazam! Fury of the Gods” on March 14, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.Gilbert Flores/Variety/Getty

Gilbert Flores/Variety/Getty

Meester and Brody don’t take their relationship for granted.

“We’re super, super lucky, and I think we recognize how lucky we are with one another,” the actress toldE! News. “We give each other a lot of respect and time and attention and focus. Like, really put our time and energy into [our] relationship.”

23of 25February 24, 2024: Leighton Meester and Adam Brody attend the SAG AwardsMonica Schipper/FilmMagicThe couple walked the red carpet at the 2024Screen Actors Guild Awardsin Los Angeles. Leighton looked ultra-chic in a brown, floor-length dress, while Brody, one of the evening’s nominees, complemented his wife in a black suit.

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February 24, 2024: Leighton Meester and Adam Brody attend the SAG Awards

Monica Schipper/FilmMagic

The couple walked the red carpet at the 2024Screen Actors Guild Awardsin Los Angeles. Leighton looked ultra-chic in a brown, floor-length dress, while Brody, one of the evening’s nominees, complemented his wife in a black suit.

24of 25January 5, 2025: Adam Brody and Leighton Meester say they “have to resist” joining each other’s projectsWhile talking toE!on the red carpet at the 2025 Golden Globe Awards, Brody said that though he and Meester don’t have a “dream project” they want to do, the opportunity to work together comes up often.“It’s true, almost everything we do they’re like, ‘Would your husband or wife want to be in this as well?’ " Brody said.Meester added, “We have to resist more than we seek it out.”

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January 5, 2025: Adam Brody and Leighton Meester say they “have to resist” joining each other’s projects

While talking toE!on the red carpet at the 2025 Golden Globe Awards, Brody said that though he and Meester don’t have a “dream project” they want to do, the opportunity to work together comes up often.

“It’s true, almost everything we do they’re like, ‘Would your husband or wife want to be in this as well?’ " Brody said.

Meester added, “We have to resist more than we seek it out.”

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February 20, 2025: Leighton Meester joins the cast of Adam Brody’s hit Netflix show ‘Nobody Wants This’

Leighton Meester and Adam Brody in 2025.Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock

Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock

PEOPLE confirmed that Meester has joined theseason 2 cast of Netflix’sNobody Wants This, which stars Brody andKristen Bell.

source: people.com