Leighton Meester doesn't listen to any compliments given to her.

The 'Gossip Girl' star is determined to stay grounded despite her fame and wants to concentrate on her career and have a happy and fulfilling personal life.

She said: "I don't listen to compliments too much! I want an identity outside of my work. Fame is not what I want. I don't want fame. I don't want that for my life. I want to grow as a person and as an actor and that's what's important."

Leighton, 24, says she's very happy with her life at the moment and loves living in New York, where 'Gossip Girl' is filmed.

She told Parade.com: "I love it. I'm so happy to live here. At the moment, it's really grey outside, so every time I travel somewhere warm and sunny, it's kind of sad to return home when it's really nasty outside. But it's still New York and it's exciting. It's my home now and I love it and I wouldn't want to shoot the show anywhere else. Everything is here."