Michelle Trachtenberg’s friends were ‘kept in the dark’...

MICHELLE Trachtenberg’s friends were ‘kept in the dark’ about the extent of her health struggles in the days leading up to her shocking death, a source has told The U.S. Sun. Following the child star’s sudden passing, Michelle’s former Gossip Girl co-workers are sharing intimate stories about their time on set together and how she has seemed more recently.

Image Credit: The Sun [Headshot of Michelle Trachtenberg in a red dress.]

According to a production member who was part of Gossip Girl during its entire six-season run, everyone is in “complete shock” about the tragic news. "I've been texting everyone who used to work on that set, we are all in shock. Complete shock. “We've been in a group chat trying to support each other. We don't all still stay in touch often but we really were like a family.

Image Credit: The Sun [Michelle Trachtenberg, star of Harriet the Spy, in a close-up selfie.]

"No one saw this coming and the size of this loss can't really be overstated. We will miss her so much,” the source said. The insider claimed that those who were closest to Michelle knew she was sick but even with her health struggles, “no one knew the extent or saw this coming.”.

Image Credit: The Sun [Gossip Girl cast members Ed Westwick, Leighton Meester, Michelle Trachtenberg, and costume designer Eric Daman at a publication party.]

“I mean, her dying at 39? None of us could have predicted this. It's just complete shock. And things were clearly worse than anyone could have known. “It hurts because we were part of this thing that was so big but so intimate so the cast, crew, everyone really formed a bond.

Image Credit: The Sun [Gossip Girl cast members Jessica Szohr, Leighton Meester, Penn Badgley, and Michelle Trachtenberg.]

“A lot of the crew was there all the seasons like I was. Michelle was hands down the most down-to-earth person. "She treated everyone equally, whether it was the craft service person or some big actor. “We filmed a lot of scenes at this studio in Long Island City and she'd just sit outside with the crew talking, laughing, swapping stories.

Image Credit: The Sun [Jessica Szohr, Penn Badgley, and Michelle Trachtenberg at a Gossip Girl event.]

“You'd never know she had been a child actor and famous basically her whole life. She was as amazing and genuine as they come.”. Gossip Girl premiered in 2007 and went on to become one of the most successful teen shows of all time during it’s six-year run.

Image Credit: The Sun [Michelle Trachtenberg and Blake Lively at the CFDA Fashion Awards.]

Michelle joined the cast later in season one - playing iconic villain Georgina Sparks who sparred with Blake Lively and Leighton Meester’s on-screen characters. She would go on to pop up throughout the series - and even appeared on the Gossip Girl HBO Max reboot in 2023 - marking her last on-screen role.

Image Credit: The Sun [Michelle Trachtenberg in a black jacket with pink highlights in her hair.]

Michelle, 39, was found unresponsive by her mom in her New York City apartment on Wednesday morning, cops stated. Reports claim that she underwent a liver transplant last year and was believed to have been experiencing complications from it. Her body may have rejected the new liver, law enforcement sources told TMZ.

Image Credit: The Sun [Close-up portrait of Michelle Trachtenberg.]

Friends and former co-stars of Trachtenberg's were quick to post tributes on social media honoring the actress. David Boreanaz, who starred alongside Trachtenberg in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, posted a photo of the actress on his Instagram story, commenting, "So very sad...horrible news. RIP and prayers to her and her family.".

Trachtenberg's Gossip Girl co-star Ed Westwick posted a photo on his Instagram story of the actress when she played Georgina Sparks. He wrote, "So sad to hear of the passing of Michelle Trachtenberg. Sending prayers.". Kim Cattrall, who starred alongside Trachtenberg in 2005 film Ice Princess, wrote, "Rest in peace sweet Michelle.".

Rosie O'Donnell, who acted with Trachtenberg in Harriet the Spy, also said the news was "heartbreaking.". "I loved her very much. She struggled the last few years. I wish I could have helped," she said, according to People. James Marsters, another co-star on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, posted on Instagram to honor the late actress. "My heart is heavy today," he wrote.

"We have lost a beautiful soul. Michelle was fiercely intelligent, howlingly funny, and a very talented person. She died much too young, and leaves behind scores of people who knew and loved her.". Fellow Nickelodeon star Kenan Thompson posted a farewell message to the actress and reminded others to check in on their friends.

"Our first Nick movie star has departed us!! She was my friend and now she rests!! Check on your people!!!" he wrote. Melissa Joan Hart, Trachtenberg's Clarissa Explains it All co-star, said she was "heartbroken" over her death alongside a clip of the show.

"I'm heartbroken to hear of the passing of @michelletrachtenberg," she said. "So young, so talented and so sweet!". "I think this was about 1992 and the episode was an idea I had about babysitting a total nightmare. But Michelle was nothing like her character and even this young, we got along wonderfully.".

Most of the Gossip Girl cast has spoken out to tribute Michelle - including Ed Westwick, Taylor Momsen and Chace Crawford. It was Blake Lively though who penned the longest letter to her former co-star in a heartwrenching Instagram Story posted Wednesday night.

The It Ends With Us actress shared a picture with Michelle from their TV show days and described the late star as having an "electric" personality. She then penned: "Everything she did, she did 200%. She laughed the fullest at someone's joke, she faced authority head-on when she felt something was wrong, she cared deeply about her work.