What you need to know
Ryan Ross built a devoted online following with a viral video featuring his 102-year-old grandmother.
However, in November 2025, the 27-year-old influencer took a break from her regular content to share her personal lore with her viewers and recall a rare and unforgettable moment in her life from more than a decade ago.
Ross revealed on TikTok that the apartment he grew up in on New York City’s Upper East Side was once used to film scenes for Gossip Girl.
“I don’t think I fully realized how great it was that Gossip Girl was being filmed in my parents’ home,” Ross exclusively tells PEOPLE.
“Obviously, the show was young, but it quickly became iconic, so we were all really excited about it, even though it was only the first season.”
In 2008, the apartment became the home of Asher Hornsby, Jenny Humphrey’s socialite boyfriend at the time.
Parts of the house appear throughout episode 16 of season 1. In particular, she appears when Humphrey visits Hornsby and at a high-stakes party where secrets come to the surface and her social status is revealed.
Netflix
“They spent several days setting it up, bringing in camera equipment, covering the floors and securing the house,” Ross recalled. “Due to copyright issues, we had to move the artwork and, of course, replace all the photos in the frames.”
The then 10-year-old was “surprised” to learn that despite days of preparation, the house scenes, which had been shot within 24 hours, only appeared on screen for a few minutes.
“I remember sitting to the side and looking out of the frame and thinking it was like the coolest thing ever. Just the fact that we were filming a TV show, I didn’t fully appreciate how iconic it was for a TV show,” he admits.
Courtesy of Ryan Ross
Ross said she “begged” to be an extra in the party scene, which was also filmed in the apartment, but was told that she was too young and would spoil the overall atmosphere.
Nevertheless, he had a great experience meeting the cast of the show and remembers that Leighton Meester (Blair Waldorf), Taylor Momsen (Jenny Humphrey) and Connor Paolo (Eric van der Woodsen) stood out for their kindness.
“I remember Connor asking me if I wanted to sit on the couch and hang out with the other cast members,” Ross said, adding that his brother also ended up taking pictures with him between takes.
Courtesy of Ryan Ross
And although Kelly Rutherford wasn’t on set the day filming took place, Ross points out that “Gossip Girl roots run deep” in her family.
His father, founder and CEO of the skincare brand of the same name, Peter Thomas Roth, previously tapped the actress who played Lily van der Woodsen on the show to be the face of his brand in 2014.
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Courtesy of Ryan Ross
Looking back, Ryan says his only wish was to be a little older so he could have witnessed the iconic show in action.
Ten years later, he says he feels “nostalgic” when he rewatches the episodes and remembers the crowds of fans that gathered outside the building.
“I still love Gossip Girl. As someone who grew up in New York City, it’s one of the greatest shows of all time,” Ryan told PEOPLE.
