- - Influencer Reveals “Gossip Girl” Was Filmed at His Family’s N.Y.C. Apartment, Shares What ‘Surprised’ Him Most (Exclusive)

Tereza ShkurtajNovember 24, 2025 at 6:00 AM

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Courtesy of Ryan Roth

Ryan Roth, (middle), his brother (left), and actress Leighton Meester. -

Influencer Ryan Roth is the son of Peter Thomas Roth, founder and CEO of the eponymous skincare brand

In November 2025, the 27-year-old content creator revealed that his childhood home had been used to film a scene in Gossip Girl

His TikTok video recalling the day of filming garnered over 3.8 million views, and now he talks to PEOPLE about the experience

Ryan Roth has built a devoted online following with his viral videos featuring his 102-year-old grandmother.

In November 2025, however, the 27-year-old influencer briefly interrupted his usual content to share a bit of his own personal lore with viewers, recalling a rare and unforgettable moment in his life from over a decade ago.

In a TikTok, Roth disclosed that the Upper East Side apartment in New York City where he grew up had once been used as a filming location for a scene in Gossip Girl.

“I don’t think I fully understood the gravity of how cool it was that Gossip Girl was being filmed in my parents' house,” Roth tells PEOPLE exclusively.

“Of course, the show was still young, but it was instantly iconic, so despite only being in the first season, we were all really excited about it."

In 2008, the apartment served as the residence of Asher Hornsby, who was, at the time, Jenny Humphrey’s socialite boyfriend.

Parts of the home appear throughout episode 16 of season 1 – notably when Humphrey visits Hornsby and at the high-stakes party where secrets surface and her social standing unravels.

Netflix

Jesse Swenson as Asher Hornsby (left); Taylor Momsen as Jenny Humphrey (right).

“They spent a few days setting up, bringing in camera equipment and covering our floors, and protecting the house,” Roth recalls. “They had to move artwork out for copyright issues and, of course, replace all of the pictures in the picture frames."

As a 10-year-old at the time, he was “surprised” to learn that, despite days of preparation, the scenes filmed in the house, which were shot within 24 hours, amounted to only a few minutes on screen.

“I just remember sitting on the side getting to watch outside of the frame and thinking it was like the coolest thing of all time, just for the fact that they were filming a TV show, not even fully appreciating how iconic of a TV show it was,” he admits.

Courtesy of Ryan Roth

Filming inside the apartment.

Although Roth “begged” to be an extra in the party scene that was also filmed in the apartment, he was told he was too young and that it would set off the whole mood.

Nevertheless, he had a great experience meeting the cast of the show and remembers Leighton Meester (Blair Waldorf), Taylor Momsen (Jenny Humphrey) and Connor Paolo (Eric van der Woodsen) standing out for their kindness.

“Connor, I even remember, asked me if I wanted to sit on the couch and hang out with the other cast members,” Roth says, adding that he and his brother both got to take pictures with them between shots.

Courtesy of Ryan Roth

Filming inside the apartment.

And although Kelly Rutherford wasn’t on set the day filming took place, Roth notes that the “Gossip Girl roots run deep” in his family.

His father, the founder and CEO of the eponymous skincare brand Peter Thomas Roth, even used the actress, who played Lily van der Woodsen in the show, as the face of his brand in 2014.

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Courtesy of Ryan Roth

Ryan Roth, Taylor Momsen, Roth's brother, and Connor Paolo (left to right).

Looking back, Ryan says his only wish is that he were a few years older so he could fully appreciate witnessing the iconic show in action.

Now, a decade later, he says rewatching the episode and recalling the crowds of fans outside his building feels “nostalgic.”

“I still love Gossip Girl – it’s one of the best shows of all time for someone that grew up in New York City,” Ryan tells PEOPLE.

on People

Original Article on Source

Source: “AOL Entertainment”