Michelle Trachtenberg comes over all Lively in a blonde wig on Gossip Girl set

By Sarah Bull

Michelle Trachtenberg donned a blonde wig as she shot scenes for Gossip Girl in New York today

They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

In which case, Blake Lively must have been thrilled on the set of Gossip Girl in New York today, when co-star Michelle Trachtenberg donned a blonde wig to look just like her leggy friend.

Normally a brunette, it seems Michelle's devious character Georgina Sparks has undergone an image makeover for the fourth season of the hit U.S. TV show.


Michelle's blonde wig was an incredibly similar shade to Blake's natural colour

The new look was a dramatic change for former Buffy the Vampire Slayer star Michelle, who has had brown hair for the majority of her television and film roles.

However, Gossip Girl fans may suspect Michelle's character Georgina is attempting to reinvent herself as a clone of Blake's character Serena Van der Woodsen to get closer to Serena's ex-boyfriend Dan Humphrey, played by Penn Badgley.

And if today's scenes are anything to go by, it seems as though the plan may have worked, as Michelle and Penn were filming scenes together walking arm and arm around Manhattan.


The look was a drastic change from Michelle's usual brunette look


Before joining the show in 2008, Michelle said she was 'super excited' about starring in the show and couldn't wait to play a villain after years of being a good girl on screen.

She said: 'Georgina is phenomenal! I mean to be able to have that sort of crazy behavior, that sort of over-the-top maliciousness, that revenge-seeking everything, but to have someone patting you on the back at the end of the day and say good job and to not have to deal with any repercussions is phenomenal.'


Michelle shot scenes with Penn Badgley outside the Bellevue Hotel in New York

But it wasn't only Michelle who was causing a stir on set today.

Blake decided to bring her tiny maltipoo Penny, a cross between a maltese and a poodle, to work with her, much to the delight of her co-stars.

The 22-year-old actress had even ensured Penny was protected against the bitter New York temperatures by dressing her up in a camouflage army-style dog coat.


Penny is so tiny that Blake only needs to use one hand to pick her up


Blake checks Penny is OK as they walk along the New York streets


But little Penny may not have recognised Blake's close friend and co-star Leighton Meester, as she had also had a makeover for the shoot and was sporting geeky sunglasses.

In a complete style change from her character Blair Waldorf's usual outfits, Leighton wore black leggings, flat black boots and a casual grey cardigan as she relaxed on set before shooting her scenes.



Leighton's look was vastly different from the outfits her character Blair Waldorf usually opts for


source: dailymail