Vanessa Abrams
Vanessa Abrams | |
|---|---|
| Occupation(s) | Aspiring filmmaker, student |
| Known for | Gossip Girl book series and television adaptation |
Vanessa Marigold Abrams is a fictional persona from the Gossip Girl book series, brought to life by Jessica Szohr in the television adaptation. Initially appearing as a recurring figure in the first season, Vanessa's popularity earned her a promotion to series regular status, with her character exiting after the fourth season concluded.
Novel series
Vanessa is portrayed as a moody, darkly dressed aspiring filmmaker attending Constance on a scholarship, with ambitions to study film at NYU. She was raised in Vermont by her artist parents and currently resides in Williamsburg, Brooklyn alongside her sister Ruby.
At first, she keeps her distance from the Upper East Side elite social circle that includes Blair Waldorf and Serena van der Woodsen, preferring instead the companionship of her closest friend Dan Humphrey and Ruby. Vanessa secretly admires Dan, who initially has his attention fixed on Serena. Their relationship briefly blossoms in the second installment but ends when Dan is unfaithful with a writer named Mystery.
Deeply interested in dark cinema, Vanessa devotes much of her time to filming various subjects. Over time, she forms a friendship with Blair Waldorf, even sharing a short-lived roommate experience and adopting some Upper East Side fashion traits. She enters a relationship with Blair’s stepbrother Aaron Rose but betrays him by cheating with Dan during their graduation.
Vanessa and Dan reconcile; however, her responsibilities as Ken Mogul’s assistant and babysitter, combined with Dan’s involvement with Bree, cause another split. When Dan explores questions about his sexuality, Vanessa remains supportive. Following eviction by Ruby and her fiancé Piotr, Vanessa moves in with Rufus Humphrey while attending NYU. Eventually, Dan confirms his heterosexuality, and they enjoy a sincere relationship prior to college. In I Will Always Love You, it is mentioned that Vanessa has grown her hair longer.
Casting
Following a recurring appearance on the short-lived show What About Brian, Yahoo! remarked that she was "building on that minor success" before landing the role of an "alluring and unpredictable aspiring filmmaker" amid Manhattan’s privileged youth drama. Szohr started on Gossip Girl as a recurring cast member before being promoted to regular by episode fourteen. In an interview with Nylon magazine, she revealed that producers were initially hesitant due to her "preppy" straight hair, which led her to provide various photos through her agent. She shared with Teen Vogue that an unexpected encounter at a Labor Day barbecue resulted in an audition with the show's executive producer and creators, effectively launching her New York career.
Characterization
Szohr’s portrayal introduces a character entering Manhattan’s elite circles who occasionally serves as a romantic interest for longtime friend Dan Humphrey.[1] According to People magazine, her depiction leans more toward bohemian hipster than the original literary version. Speaking to Ocean Drive, Szohr highlighted Vanessa’s straightforwardness and independence, describing her as "a badass girl from Brooklyn" who refuses to conform. She finds Vanessa relatable because of her lifestyle differences compared to other affluent characters.[2] In Vanity Fair, stylist Eric Daman described Vanessa’s fashion as "a breath of fresh air," drawing inspiration from the Lower East Side scene and artist M.I.A..[3]
Season 1
Vanessa makes her debut in the sixth episode, titled "The Handmaiden's Tale," where she reunites with Dan and announces her decision to move back to the city to live with her sister, Ruby. She confesses that she missed Dan and reminisces about his parting words—"I love you." Despite this, Dan reveals he has moved on and is currently dating Serena. Vanessa leaves the gathering in tears but later reconciles with Dan, catching up on the developments in his life.
In the episode "Victor/Victrola," Vanessa takes on a mentoring role for Dan’s sister Jenny regarding parental challenges and exhibits jealousy upon witnessing Dan and Serena together. Nevertheless, Vanessa and Serena form a connection over a game of Guitar Hero after Dan highlights Vanessa’s significance as his closest friend. On Christmas, Vanessa incites Serena’s envy by presenting Dan with a published short story featured in The New Yorker. Blair Waldorf suspects Vanessa harbors feelings for Dan and becomes a competitor, yet Vanessa assists Serena in creating snow to fulfill Dan’s Christmas wish.
During "School Lies," Vanessa attends a school pool party where a near-tragic event unfolds. She records a private conversation between Chuck and Blair, which becomes highly coveted. Chuck attempts to bribe her, but Vanessa cleverly refuses and keeps the money. When Blair requests the footage, Vanessa hands it over without demanding anything in return; in gratitude, Blair covers Vanessa’s rent for an entire year.
While preparing for the SATs, Vanessa encounters Nate Archibald. Their lighthearted exchange reveals deeper emotions when Vanessa reads Nate’s practice essay. They spend quality time together, share personal struggles, and conclude with a kiss. Nate encourages Vanessa to register for the SATs by paying for them himself, leading to their romantic involvement. Additionally, Vanessa confronts Georgina Sparks about her true motives and identity, but Georgina escapes alongside Dan, who remains unaware of her deception.
In the season finale, "Much 'I Do About Nothing," Vanessa gets ready for Lily and Bart Bass's wedding wearing a dress designed by Jenny. Following the ceremony, Nate ends his relationship with Vanessa due to family complications. Meanwhile, Vanessa’s friendship with Dan grows stronger as they support each other through their respective breakups.
Season 2
Vanessa renovates Rufus's art gallery by adding a café. Nate reveals his father’s financial difficulties, and although there is mutual attraction between them, Nate’s demanding schedule puts strain on their relationship. Vanessa distances herself from him, but Nate confesses his desire to be with her. During a blackout, Catherine—a woman from Nate’s past—threatens to expose Nate’s father if he leaves her. To protect his father, nicknamed the Captain, Vanessa ends things with Nate. Later, she attempts to leverage a photo of Catherine with her stepson as blackmail but discovers this tactic backfires: Nate suffers financial losses while Blair regains her family fortune. Nate is more upset about Vanessa’s secrecy than the actual loss.
Vanessa supports Jenny’s homeschooling efforts and helps preserve the Brooklyn Inn by campaigning for its landmark status. She blackmails Blair using the photo of Catherine and Lord Marcus to secure cooperation. In retaliation, Blair and Chuck scheme to embarrass Vanessa by seducing her. At Lily's party, Vanessa briefly connects with Chuck but rejects both him and Blair upon uncovering their plot. Feeling betrayed after witnessing Nate and Jenny kissing during Jenny’s fashion show, Vanessa conceals a letter revealing Nate’s feelings for Jenny. Unaware of this letter, Jenny reconciles with Vanessa.
Approaching Christmas, Vanessa and Nate mend their relationship but keep it hidden from Jenny. Overcome with guilt, Vanessa confesses about the letter to Nate. When Gossip Girl publishes a photo of them kissing, Nate embarrasses Vanessa at the Snowflake Ball by presenting her in a sheer dress that invites public humiliation. Distressed, Vanessa flees while Nate chooses her over Jenny; they depart together as Jenny watches silently. Vanessa refrains from interfering in Serena and Dan's relationship and celebrates two months with Nate at an opera.
When seniors are assigned to perform a play, Nate suspects Vanessa has feelings for its director, sparking an argument fueled by insecurities. They later reconcile at Nate’s home while watching *The Age of Innocence*.
Vanessa and Nate plan a summer trip to Europe together. However, Nate feels pressured to accept an internship at the mayor’s office; Vanessa worries that his grandfather is exerting control over him. After Nate announces his internship during a speech—disappointing Vanessa—she leaves abruptly and informs Jenny that their relationship might be ending.
Subsequently, Vanessa teams up with Chuck after seeing Blair and Nate embrace; they plot to damage Blair and Nate's friendship. Attempting to provoke jealousy in Nate by kissing Chuck at Jenny's party proves unsuccessful; eventually, Vanessa and Chuck sleep together. In "Southern Gentlemen Prefer Blondes," Vanessa confesses regretting sleeping with Chuck twice during a drinking game with Dan. By season's end, at graduation, Vanessa reunites with Nate; he quits his internship following an advance from the mayor and resumes plans for their European trip. They encounter Scott Rosson—Lily and Rufus’s son—without knowing his identity. Meanwhile, Dan receives a call from Georgina announcing she will attend NYU alongside them next year.
Season 3
During the summer, Vanessa travels across Europe with Nate, where they share a brief romantic encounter but ultimately maintain their friendship. Upon returning to New York, she develops feelings for Scott Ronsson. When Vanessa uncovers Dan's hidden wealthy lifestyle, supported by the van der Woodsen family, she confronts him, insisting on honesty if their friendship is to endure. Vanessa and Scott begin a relationship, with Scott encouraging her to keep her friendship with Dan intact. At NYU, Vanessa shares a dorm room with Blair Waldorf and Georgina Sparks; she forms a bond with Georgina while her rivalry with Blair intensifies. Doubtful about Scott, Vanessa discovers he is not a student but actually the son of Lily and Rufus. After Scott reveals this truth at their wedding, he returns to Boston, leaving Vanessa devastated.
Olivia Burke becomes Vanessa's new roommate and friend. Olivia starts dating Dan, but tension arises when a threesome involving Vanessa complicates matters. Upon realizing Dan’s feelings for Vanessa, Olivia ends her relationship with him and leaves NYU to pursue acting. Dan admits his love for Vanessa; although she initially resists, she eventually acknowledges her own feelings, leading them into a "friends with benefits" arrangement.
Conflict emerges when Vanessa secretly applies to NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts writing program, where Dan is also applying. Her acceptance causes strain between them, though Dan later expresses pride in her accomplishment. Additional tension arises when Vanessa receives an offer to assist disaster relief in Haiti while filming for CNN. Despite initial reluctance to leave New York and Dan, she agrees after Dan convinces her that this opportunity is rare. They decide to maintain a long-distance relationship as Vanessa departs.
In the season finale, while Vanessa is in Haiti, Nate sends her a Gossip Girl message featuring a photo of Dan and Serena together in bed, implying betrayal.
Season 4
Vanessa returns from Haiti to find Dan living with Georgina and raising his son Milo. Shocked that Dan kept Milo’s existence hidden from her, she confronts him. Before Georgina leaves for vacation, Vanessa asks her to relay a message of support to Dan. After meeting Juliet Sharp, Vanessa becomes involved in a plan aimed at disrupting the love triangle between Dan, Nate, and Serena by using her feelings for Dan to pull him away from Serena. Later, Vanessa learns that Dan does not reciprocate her feelings after intimacy, but he eventually confesses his love for her. As Dan struggles with parenting Milo, Vanessa moves in to assist him. When Georgina returns to reclaim Milo, Vanessa’s efforts to comfort Dan inadvertently push him back toward Serena. After Dan lies about his whereabouts, Vanessa discovers he will attend a party with Serena; they reconcile and resume their relationship.
With Serena enrolling at Columbia University, Gossip Girl spreads rumors suggesting she has a sexually transmitted disease, causing concern for Vanessa and Juliet due to their partners’ pasts with Serena. To verify Dan’s feelings and history with Serena, Vanessa and Juliet steal Serena’s phone. Vanessa discovers that Dan loves her and that Juliet orchestrated another damaging Gossip Girl post accusing Serena of exchanging sex for grades. Fearing retaliation, Juliet frames Vanessa for the post, ending Vanessa’s relationship with Dan. Following Blair’s ruined 20th birthday celebration, Vanessa advises Dan they both need rest and time away from the Upper East Side’s scheming environment.
Nate approaches Vanessa after uncovering one of her deceptions; she agrees to assist him in clearing her name. While distracting Juliet from returning home, Nate cancels their plan upon learning more about Juliet’s background; however, Vanessa sneaks inside and finds photos of Serena kissing her professor Colin. Attempting to recruit Juliet in exposing Serena using the photos, Vanessa is met with refusal—unaware that she has already taken the evidence herself. They try presenting it to Columbia’s Dean during a ballet performance but are blocked by Blair and Chuck defending Serena.
Vanessa teams up with Juliet and Jenny to isolate Serena by turning those close to her against her. Their scheme succeeds as Lily, Nate, Dan, and Blair blame Serena for the events at Chuck’s "Saint and Sinner" party. However, Juliet secretly drugs Serena and admits her into rehab. To avoid suspicion herself, Juliet confesses but shifts blame onto Jenny. Jenny later reveals the truth to Blair and temporarily moves in with her mother.
After Charlie experiences a breakdown at the Constance Billard alumni party, Vanessa searches Dan’s apartment for her but instead discovers his novel manuscript. She praises his writing and encourages him to publish it, noting his secret longing for acceptance in the Upper East Side surpasses even Jenny’s ambitions. Dan resists publishing due to potential fallout affecting his friends. Vanessa urges him to focus on himself rather than others and strive to improve beyond who he was before meeting Serena. Dan responds angrily about his life prior to knowing Vanessa. Undeterred, Vanessa steals the manuscript and publishes it herself, revealing plans to live in Spain while ensuring the proceeds benefit a worthy cause.
Season 6
Vanessa discovered through a text message that Dan was "Gossip Girl." Her brief appearance was shot on the set of the Sex and the City prequel, The Carrie Diaries, where producers envisioned her character as directing an episode.
Reception
Initially intended as a short-term guest, Yahoo! highlighted that Szohr "resonated with the audience," which led to her elevation to a main cast member. In 2008, her portrayal earned her recognition on People magazine's "Most Beautiful People" list. Conversely, author Ziegesar expressed dissatisfaction with Vanessa's depiction on the show, contrasting it with the books where Vanessa is bald and wears black attire. Additionally, TV Guide listed her among television's Worst-Dressed Characters.
Isabelle Carreau from TV Squad noted Vanessa’s early lack of popularity but commended her composed maturity showcased in the second season’s episode, The Dark Night.
Season four brought critical disapproval of Vanessa’s character development. Mark O. Estes of Tv Overmind criticized her inconsistent behavior in the episode Gaslit, lamenting that the writers appeared to be pandering to negative fan opinions. Meanwhile, TV Guide disapproved of her transformation from a compelling foil to a meddlesome figure, speculating she might exit the series or adopt a villainous role.
On May 9, 2011, it was revealed that both Taylor Momsen and Jessica Szohr would not continue as regular cast members for season five but were invited back as guest appearances. Following discussions with producers, Szohr decided to depart, feeling that she had fully explored Vanessa’s character: "I had so much fun... but I got the most I could out of Vanessa."