Filming Country Strong had a profound effect on Leighton Meester.

The 24-year-old Gossip Girl star and singer was inspired to write her own songs after filming and found that her lyrics, more than anything else, were depressing.

"Because of this movie, I started doing that for myself and writing music that speaks to me, from my heart," Meester said, "and apparently, I'm really depressed."

Meester admits that the film opened up to a new genre, which she loves. "Country music, it's an entirely different world," Meester said. "I really grew to love it."

She does seem like a natural. Check out three Country Strong clips of Leighton we posted last month, and a brand new one of her signing "Words I Couldn't Say" here:

Steve Marsi is the Managing Editor of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Google+ or email him here.