Jessica Szohr says learning guitar is the most difficult thing

The actress had to take up the instrument for one of her roles. She’s always loved music so looked forward to strumming the strings – before she realised how tough she’d find mastering it.

“I love seeing live bands with my friends – I like everything from classic to country to rock. The last album I downloaded was The Strokes. I’m learning the guitar for my next role and it’s given me a new respect for musicians as it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” she laughed.

Jessica has appeared in several TV shows and movies but is best known for her portrayal of Vanessa Abrams on Gossip Girl.

She still can’t believe she ever landed the part, particularly as it came about in such an unexpected way.

“I had just thrown on some denim shorts, a T-shirt and flip-flops [to go to my friend’s barbeque] and had my dog with me. It was a nice, chilled, day, but my agent phoned the next day and asked if I’d been at a BBQ, as an executive producer from Gossip Girl had called and wanted to know more about me,” she recalled to InStyle. “The next think I knew I was on my way to Warner Bros. in New York to start filming.”