Blake Lively is encouraging others to “hold those you love” close in the wake of herGossip GirlcostarMichelle Trachtenberg’s suddendeath at age 39on Feb. 26.
Lively, 37, shared a lengthy tribute to Trachtenberg onher Instagram Storieson Wednesday, hours after the NYPD confirmed the latter’s death in New York City to PEOPLE. Trachtenberg and Lively both appeared on the 2007-2012 series, with Trachtenberg portraying bad girl Georgina Sparks, a frenemy to Lively’s Serena van der Woodsen.
“This was the first day I met Michelle,” wrote Lively in her caption, shared alongside a photo of the pair fromGossip Girl. “She was electricity. You knew when she entered a room because the vibration changed. Everything she did, she did 200%.”
Blake Lively’s Instagram Stories tribute to Michelle Trachtenberg.Blake Lively/Instagram;The CW
Blake Lively/Instagram;The CW
Continued Lively, “She laughed the fullest at someone’s joke, she faced authority head on when she felt something was wrong, she cared deeply about her work, she was proud to be a part of this community and industry as painful as it could be sometimes, she was fiercely loyal to her friends and brave for those she loved, she was big and bold and distinctly herself.”
Blake Lively (left) and Michelle Trachtenberg inGossip Girl.The CW/Giovanni Rufino /Landov
The CW/Giovanni Rufino /Landov
Lively recounted that Trachtenberg would wear “yummy caramel smelling lip gloss” while filming — a small act of kindness toward her scene partners, the actress explained. “She didn’t just want to sparkle on camera, she liked creating a nice experience for anyone who was in her orbit, even down to the subtle smell of her lipgloss because she cared about the sweet details.”
Blake Lively (left) and Michelle Trachtenberg in 2009.Kevin Mazur/WireImage
Kevin Mazur/WireImage
Calling Trachtenberg a “kind person, through and through,” Lively then lamented and alluded to a lost connection between the pair. “Time passes. You take for granted that you get the chance to see an old friend. To paraphrase, the real tragedies in life are the ones that blindside you on an idle Tuesday,” she wrote.
Blake Lively (left) and Michelle Trachtenberg inGossip Girl.The CW
The CW
Lively was not the only castmember of the beloved teen drama to honor Trachtenberg, who was also known for roles inBuffy the Vampire SlayerandHarriet the Spy. OtherGossip Girlstars including Ed Westwick and Chace Crawfordalso reacted to her death on social media.
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“Michelle was one of a kind,” Chace Crawford, who portrayed Nate Archibald,shared in the post. “I remember her coming on set for the first time and just absolutely owning it. She was a force of nature and just so so unapologetically funny and magnetic.. remembering those years with a big smile. Just a terrible loss. Love you ❤️”
“She was really, really sick and open with those in her circle about how much she was struggling,” that insider said.
source: people.com
