MISCHA BARTON - BARTON DISMISSES GOSSIP GIRL ROLE REPORTS

Actress MISCHA BARTON has denied reports she's joined the cast of U.S. TV show GOSSIP GIRL, insisting she turned down the chance to do so. Barton, best known for her role as Marissa Cooper on The O.C., claims she declined an offer to star as an old friend of Blake Lively's character Serena Van Der Woodsen on the show. A spokesperson for Barton says, "She will not be on the show. She was approached, but her reps passed."