Nan Zhang

“[Nan Zhang] was pushed off the show,” says a Gossip Girl spy. “Leighton Meester didn’t like her, and she went.”

“Jenny [played by Taylor Momsen] has a new group of random bitchy girls as friends,” said the source, explaining why Kati’s close pal Isabel (played by Nicole Fiscella) remains in the picture.

Says the show’s rep: “I think [Zhang] may have had another opportunity come up, but I know she was big into school. She was really sweet, but she went back to school.”

“Absolutely not true,” said Leighton Meester’s rep.

“First, Leighton had absolutely nothing to do with my leave. Leighton, along with everybody else on the cast and set, have been nothing but wonderful to me throughout my involvement with the show. The writer’s strike left me no choice but to return to [school]. It was truly a difficult decision that I had no choice but to make in leaving the show. I am grateful for my opportunity, and I loved every second of participating in such a great experience. The entire cast and everyone tied to the show are simply incredible, amazing people who I am thankful to have worked with. I couldn’t have asked to work with a better or nicer or more fun group of people.”