As a result of the unfortunate beginnings of her life, Leighton Meester says:

It makes me very nonjudgmental and open-minded,” the 22-year-old tells Us. “And I think it just makes me appreciate the things that I have now”`.

Her parents served prison time for being part of a drug ring that smuggled 1,200-pound shipments of marijuana into the United States from Jamaica.  Her mother was released from prison in 1986 after serving 16 months and now works as a screenwriter.  Her father works in construction.  Her parents split in 1992.  Says her father:

“Anything that her mother and I did that was questionable occurred before she was born,”

Says Leighton of her mom:

“She’s always there for me no matter what,” Meester tells Us. “I swear, that woman knows everything.”

Her Mother says of Leighton:

“She’s very gifted, she’s very talented, she’s very intelligent,” the 51-year-old tells Us. “I love her dearly.”

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Photo Credit:  SplashNews