Blake Lively on Life After ‘Gossip Girl’

It’s been a year since Gossip Girl’s identity was revealed, the series ended and Blake Lively went off-the-radar. But Lively is gearing up for her return to the spotlight after her much needed break – and flashing just enough of that blowy glamour and authentic, slightly goofy warmth to let us know in no uncertain terms: Yep, she’s still Hollywood’s golden-est girl.

“Having a personal life has been really nice. I’d been on Gossip Girl 10 months a year for six years, shooting 15-hour days, so I hadn’t had time to just be since I graduated from high school. It’s been nice to kind of settle into my own skin and work on things I really love.” Lively revealed.

So what’s first on her itinerary as she heads back into the limelight? A potentially world-changing partnership with Gucci.

As the face of Gucci Premiere fragrance, she’s been involved in the brand’s massively successful Chime for Change charity initiative, which kicked off with a megaconcert in London last year.

“It was very exciting to hear the audience cheer just as much for a woman who had broken out of a horrible life cycle in India as for Madonna.” Lively commented.

The charity has since raised close to $5 million, funding more than 260 projects that benefit women in 81 countries. Starting in April, purchasers of Gucci perfumes will be able to donate a $5 portion of the price to a charity of their choice via the Chime for Change website.

“Sure, you can buy the fragrance and then not go online, but then you’re the jerk,” Lively says. “This makes the consumer an active participant by giving them responsibility.”

Want more from Blake Lively? Check her out in the April issue of Elle!

Photo Credit:
Photographed by Cedric Buchet