Leighton Meester Planning To Leave 'Gossip Girl'

It seems that Leighton Meester won't be gossiping on the small screen for too much longer. The actress recently dished to E! News that she would be bidding her role as Blair Waldorf a fond farewell and leaving "Gossip Girl" behind after "two more years."

The singer/actress had a really good reason why she has such a specific time frame for when she's plans to exit the CW show. "Because we're under contract," she explained. The actress, who appears in the upcoming Gwyneth Paltrow flick "Country Strong," added that while she's ready to leave the series behind, she "obviously enjoys working on the show and living in New York."

She maintained that producers are supportive of her decision, as well as the choice of her other castmates to pursue outside interests. "It allows you to be ready for when the show's over," Meester said, adding, "I don't know [if the series will end when I leave,] but I think there's that old saying about wanting to go out on top."

Fellow "Gossip Girl" starlet Taylor Momsen recently was put on indefinite hiatus from the program. The actress, like Meester, has been busy pursuing a music career — with her band the Pretty Reckless — and also is the face of Madonna's Material Girl clothing company and John Galliano's latest perfume campaign.

Meester has a long-simmering solo album in the works, and has several films under her belt, including "Monte Carlo" with Selena Gomez and Corey Monteith and "The Roommate" co-starring lookalike actress Minka Kelly. While her move from the small screen to the big screen is already under way, that doesn't mean she wouldn't consider returning to TV. "Um, I never say never," Meester said. "It would have to be the right show just like it would have [to be] the right movie."

What do you think about Meester's plans to leave "Gossip Girl"? Tell us in the comments.