It’s a BIG day in the life of Blair Waldorf … whichever way this whole royal wedding business might end up!

Our dearest Queen B has gone from a controlling, manipulative prep school princess, to a well-rounded, strong (now only slightlymanipulative) young lady ― and no one understands that evolution quite like B’s real-life counterpart, Leighton Meester.

“[Blair]’s a really strong-willed woman,” Leighton told Varietyrecently, reflecting onGossip Girl’s past 100 episodes. “She’s an admirable person because she speaks her mind. She doesn’t take no for an answer. In a world like TV you usually don’t get characters, especially young female characters, that are so well-rounded.”

And as much as Leighton has praised the scenes between her and Penn Badgley’s Dan Humphrey ― even going so far as to say she’s a lil’ pro-Dair! ― she has a special place in her heart for another of her co-stars… Ed Westwick (Chuck)! (Duhhh!)

“[Ed] and I work really well together because there’s this chemistry that works off-screen  as well,” she said. “Even with non-romantic storylines when our characters are fighting, I just really enjoy it ― but I’d rather they be getting along.”

Mmhmm, yes, we agree.

But the BEST part of working on Gossip Girl? Leighton says it’s the bonding time in between scenes. (Color us a little jealous!) “The best part of work is the hair and makeup room at the stages, where we have all of our dogs,” she said. “Everybody brings magazines and movies and we all eat in there and hang out. It’s a family affair.