Blake Lively pens tribute to co-star Michelle Trachtenberg after her death at 39: 'She was big and bold'

LOS ANGLES, CALIFORNIA: Blake Lively has broken her silence following the heartbreaking death of her former 'Gossip Girl' costar, Michelle Trachtenberg, who passed away at the age of 39.

In a heartfelt Instagram story on Wednesday, February 26, Lively honored her friend and fellow actress with an emotional message about their deep bond.

Blake Lively honors Michelle Trachtenberg with heartfelt tribute

The tribute accompanied a photo from their time on the beloved CW teen soap, which aired its first episode in 2007. In the post, Blake Lively reflected on the first time she met Michelle Trachtenberg, recalling her energy and vibrant personality, the New York Post reported.

"This is the first day I met Michelle," Lively began, alongside the snapshot. “She was electricity. You knew when she entered a room because the vibration changed. Everything she did, she did 200%.”

Lively continued to paint a picture of Trachtenberg’s strong character, emphasizing her passion for life and work.

“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, she was proud to be a part of this community and industry as painful as it could be sometimes, she was fiercely loyal to her friends and brave for those she loved, she was big and bold and distinctly herself,” Lively went on to say.

The 'It Ends With Us' star also recalled some of the small yet memorable details that made Trachtenberg so special.

“And she always had yummy caramel smelling lipgloss on because she didn’t just want to sparkle on camera, she liked creating a nice experience for anyone who was in her orbit, even down to the subtle smell of her lipgloss because she cared about the sweet details,” Lively remarked.

The actress concluded her message by honoring Trachtenberg’s kind nature. "She was a kind person, through and through," Lively said. "Time passes. You take for granted that you get the chance to see an old friend. To paraphrase, the real tragedies in life are the ones that blindside you on an idle Tuesday."

Lively’s tribute ended with a heartfelt reminder of the importance of holding those you love dear. “Hold those you love and have loved dear. The world lost a deeply sensitive and good person in Michelle,” she wrote. “May her work and her huge heart be remembered by those who were lucky enough to experience her fire.”

Michelle Trachtenberg's death at 39

Michelle Trachtenberg, known for her roles in 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' and 'Harriet the Spy', was found dead on Wednesday morning at her luxury apartment in Manhattan’s Central Park South neighborhood. Her mother discovered her around 8 am, and her representative later confirmed the tragic news.

"It is with great sadness to confirm that Michelle Trachtenberg has passed away," Trachtenberg’s rep Gary Mantoosh said in a statement. “The family requests privacy for their loss. There are no further details at this time.”

Sources have revealed that Trachtenberg had undergone a liver transplant within the last year, and it’s believed that her body may have rejected the transplant. The star is thought to have died of natural causes.

Blake Lively’s tribute to Michelle Trachtenberg sparks emotional reactions on social media

Blake Lively's heartfelt tribute to Michelle Trachtenberg quickly went viral on social media, sparking an outpouring of emotional responses from fans and followers.

A user said, "A beautiful tribute to a talented soul gone too soon."

Another added, "I’m so glad she spoke up."

A third commented, "Blake's tribute is truly heartfelt!"

"love to see the gossip girl sisterhood still strong," said a fan.

A person said, "Blake Lively's tribute to Michelle Trachtenberg highlights the powerful and magnetic presence that Michelle had on set."

Another added, "Such a beautiful tribute. Michelle’s energy and talent will never be forgotten."

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