What Really Went Down Between Leighton Meester and Ariana Grande at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards

Ariana Grande had a full fangirl moment when she spotted Leighton Meester on the red carpet at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards — but a split-second exchange between the two stars quickly turned into an internet-wide debate.

While walking the carpet on Sunday, January 4, Ariana, 32, lit up upon seeing Leighton and her husband, Adam Brody. The pop star, who was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Wicked: For Good, could barely contain her excitement as she shouted, “I love you so much!” toward the couple.

Clearly overwhelmed, Ariana clutched her chest and exclaimed, “Wow, wow, wow,” before continuing on her way.

Leighton’s response — repeating “wah, wah, wah” with a laugh — is what sparked confusion online. While some viewers initially interpreted the moment as teasing, others were quick to point out that the line could be a direct reference to Gossip Girl, the iconic series that made Meester a household name.

The clip quickly circulated online, racking up millions of vie...