In episode five of season two of “Nobody Wants This,” Joanne must face something incredibly difficult. No, it’s not to do with conversion. (Why would it be?!) It’s facing her childhood nemesis Abby Kaplan, now a momfluencer by the name Abby Loves Smoothies. The pair are brought together again by her boyfriend Rabbi Noah, who is performing the baby naming ceremony for Abby’s new baby, Afternoon. The whole episode is delightful, but particularly because Abby is played by Adam Brody‘s real-life wife, Leighton Meester!
But with Leighton playing this Jewish character, it’s left many viewers wondering: Is Leighton Meester herself Jewish?
It’s time for another Hey Alma investigation!
If you’ve been following along with our previous investigations of this nature, you know that we’re looking to check at least one of two boxes. Does Leighton Meester identify as culturally or religiously Jewish? And/or, does Leighton Meester have Jewish ancestry? If the answer to either of those questions is a resounding yes, she’s a member of the tribe!
Let’s start with the second question: Does Leighton Meester have Jewish ancestry? It seems like the answer is no. According to a 2022 Harper’s Bazaar article, Meester has Dutch ancestry on her father’s side (unsurprising given that Meester means “master” or “teacher” in Dutch). It also says that she has Irish ancestry on her mother’s side. IMDb gets a little more specific with her heritage, stating that: “Her father is of approximately one-quarter German, one-quarter Dutch, one-quarter Irish, and one-quarter English ancestry.” And: “Her maternal grandfather was the son of German immigrants, and her maternal grandmother had English, Irish, Scottish, and Welsh ancestry.” Thanks, IMDb!
But what about if she identifies as religiously or culturally Jewish? The answer is, essentially, no. In 2023, Leighton told The Messenger that she and Adam Brody are “not religious in any way.” Nor are they raising their children with religion, per a 2024 New York Times interview with Adam. However, because of Adam’s Jewish roots, the couple do celebrate Chrismukkah.
But ultimately:
Verdict: No, Leighton Meester is not Jewish.
