Gossip on Gossip Girl is even hotter than the show

And as the show’s popularity explodes, the same ol’ questions surface as they do every time we see a female cast: Are they friends? Do Blake and Leighton (Meester, Blair Waldorf on the show and far left in this pic) actually like each other? Do they spend time offscreen or are they frenemies like their characters?While both girls go with the “of course we’re friends” line, this photo tells a different story.

First of all, WTF is Blake wearing? They’re at the CW party and the cast is clearly predetermined to be the heroes of the affair (Gossip Girl runs on the CW network).

So Blake rocks up in bright blue shorts jumpsuit. Which, though cute and playful, is more suited to a day’s shopping at The Grove than a la-di-la red carpet event. Especially when your hair is blonde and swingy, your bosom curving out the top and your legs twice as long as your onscreen buddies. It’s more an I’d-like-to-upstage-my-fellow-castmates-and-bring-all-the-attention-my-way-outfit. And it’s working.

This isn’t the first time Blake has strutted the red carpet in a look-at-me outfit. Check out what she wore to the Costume Institute Gala a few weeks ago.

Now, while I think she looks incredible, and in this outfit cements her position as the hottest blonde on the box since Heather Locklear in Melrose Place, it raises a question: why is Blake wearing this? Why does she suddenly feel the need to show she’s all Bam! Legs. Bam! Boobs. Bam! Curves.  What’s going on?

It’s called the new Power Dressing.

How to show your costars who’s boss the most direct way you know how. With visual reference. It’s quite simple really: the more photos get taken of you, the more magazine covers you get, the more famous you are, the more money you can command, the more power you have. Over everyone else in the show.

And Blake obviously is feeling vulnerable right now. Because at the beginning of Gossip Girl, she was the one everyone was talking about. It was Blake! Blake! Blake! Serena! Serena! Serena! She was on the cover of every magazine in the US, from teen staple 17 to high fashion bible, W.  Now? Well, dark horse Leighton Meester has crept up with a cooler character, better script, fantastic lines to deliver and has shown us that sexuality doesn’t necessarily have to come with short skirts and low cut tops. Leighton is living proof you can wear dresses that button up to your neck, accessorise with all the prissy bow headbands you like, and still come off as a sex kitten. Because now all the attention is on Leighton! Leighton! Leighton! Blair! Blair! Blair! Her US Cosmo cover might have come two years later than Blake’s, but she’s now the belle of the ball.

And Blake is feeling the pressure. Hence the short playsuit at the network party, the sexy Versace number at the black tie benefit – old school tricks of the trade to win back the spotlight.

But that’s exactly what they are – old school tricks.

What modern woman does this anymore? Who approves of this form of power dressing? What happened to style, talent and dazzling X factor to help you shine? What would Michelle Obama say?

Will Blake be able to claw her way back to the top of the Gossip Girl post by proving to the world that she’s the brightest star with the sexiest body? Will Leighton, sitting pretty, continue to wield power with a slight flick of her dark hair? Who will be Queen?

Gosh, it’s just like the show isn’t it! 

Who’s winning the US cover wars?

Blake Lively: 17, W, Lucky, Cosmopolitan, Allure Vogue, Marie Claire, Rolling Stone
Leighton Meester: 17, Teen, Lucky, Nylon, Cosmo, Rolling Stone

So while Blake is clearly ahead, keep in mind her covers were early in the piece and Leighton, new flavour of the month, is catching up.