Leighton Meester: Beautiful, Born Behind Bars

Lots of Gossip Girl news today - none of it involving the show, of course.

First, Drew Barrymore may be dating one of the cast members. Now, Leighton Meester, who plays one of the female leads, is on the cover of Us Weekly.

It turns out she was born in jail!

Connie Meester was already pregnant with Leighton when she was sentenced to 10 years in a federal prison in Texas. At 29, she gave birth while she was just starting her sentence as part of an international marijuana smuggling operation.

Her father, Doug, was also involved in the smuggling and served time behind bars. At present, Doug works in construction and Connie is a screenwriter. Though the pair separated in 1992, Leighton Meester has strong relationships with both.

The only star we know who was born behind bars, Leighton Meester believes her humble beginnings have given her some important perspective on life today.

"It makes me very nonjudgmental and open-minded," the 22-year-old said. "And I think it just makes me appreciate the things that I have now. "[My mom] was always there for me no matter what. I swear, that woman knows everything."