Lindsay Lohan -- HANDPICKED By Victoria Gotti

Lindsay Lohan beat out Blake Lively AND Sienna Miller for her new role as Victoria Gotti -- and TMZ has learned ... Victoria herself made sure that happened.

Sources close to the production tell TMZ, producers were considering both Blake and Sienna for the role -- but John Gotti's famously blonde daughter wasn't having it, insisting Lindsay get the role instead ... and producers loved the idea.

Not all that surprising -- according to sources, Victoria is a good friend of the Lohan family ... and she often spends time with them on Long Island.

Meanwhile, Lindsay is currently in L.A. auditioning for "Superman" -- but we're told she already has a plane ticket back to NYC for April 12th ... to close the Gotti deal for good.

Credit: TMZ

Blake Lively: Breakthrough Performer Award

Stepping out for a swanky affair, Blake Lively continued a long day by attending the CinemaCon Awards Ceremony in Las Vegas last night (March 31).

The “Gossip Girl” babe showed up at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace looking nothing short of amazing in a beautiful red dress with massive earrings as she was brought onstage to accept the Breakthrough Performer of the Year award.

Credit: Celebrity Gossip

Blake Lively Films Gossip Girl In Los Angeles

Having made her way to the west coast the previous night, Blake Lively looked to be having quite the enjoyable time on the set of "Gossip Girl" in Los Angeles, California on Thursday (March 24).

Changing things up from the normal NYC filming locale, the Serena van der Woodsen actress showed off her gorgeous gams in a revealing polka dot sarong while working her magic for the cameras situated alongside the Pacific Ocean.

Credit: Celebrity Gossip

Blake Lively: Camera Shy At LAX Airport

Making the long transatlantic flight from the UK, Blake Lively was spotted arriving in Los Angeles last night (March 23).

The “Gossip Girl” actress looked to be a bit camera shy as she hit from the paparazzi behind a pillow while strolling through the terminal at LAX.

Credit: Celebrity Gossip

Blake Lively: 2011 BAM Theater Gala in New York

Gearing up for an evening of culture, Blake Lively was spotted at the 2011 BAM Theater Gala in New York City last night (March 10).

The “Gossip Girl” hottie looked cute as she mingled with fellow actor Peter Sarsgaard outside the Brooklyn Academy of Music.

Credit: Celebrity Gossip

Blake Lively Films Gossip Girl In New York City

Putting in another day at work, Blake Lively was spotted on the set of “Gossip Girl” in New York City yesterday (March 9).

The “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” actress looked a bit chilly and kept warm in a full-length coat while shutterbugs looked on. Blake also got an on-set visit from her pooch pal Penny.

Credit: Celebrity Gossip

Photos by Splash News Online

Blake Lively's Chanel Mademoiselle Ad Released

Mon Dieu! Chanel’s newest face, Gossip Girl star Blake Lively, is a (double!) vision in her new advertisement for the brand’s Mademoiselle handbags, released Monday. Shot by Chanel’s Karl Lagerfeld in the company’s Parisian headquarters, the photos are the first in a series that will appear in April magazines. 

Lively’s new role was announced in January, when Lagerfeld called her “kind of an American dream girl.” The actress was humbled, saying the opportunity to front the campaign was more than a “dream come true.” After the photo shoot, an in-awe Lively whipped out her cell phone and shot her own picture — this one of Lagerfeld behind the lens, reports WWD. 

“I have such a respect for fashion and such an appreciation for it that if there are people like Karl Lagerfeld out there designing, who am I?” she told the publication. “I want to bow down to them and be a representative for them if they’ll have me.” Seems that adoration has paid off!

Credit: PEOPLE (Kate Hogan)

Blake Lively Toasted By Chanel In Paris

Making her way overseas, Blake Lively was front and center at a swanky Chanel dinner in Paris, France on Saturday evening (March 5).

Clad in a foxy silver Chanel frock, the Gossip Girl beauty was joined by her parents, Elaine and Ernie, as well as fellow guests Bee Shaffer, Anna Wintour and Cecile Cassel.

Credit: Celebrity Gossip

Photos by Getty

Blake Lively Honored At La Grenouille

All dolled up for a fete in her honor, Blake Lively was the center of attention at La Grenouille in New York City on Wednesday night (March 2).

The Gossip Girl beauty turned up at the swanky Big Apple locale as she partook in an intimate dinner hosted by the highly-regarded fashion brand Chanel.

Credit: Celebrity Gossip

Photos by Getty Images

Blake Lively Brightens Up the ELLE Style Awards

Overseas for a fashionable evening, Blake Lively turned up for the 2011 Elle Style Awards in London, England on Monday (February 14).

Brightening up the Grand Connaught Rooms, the Gossip Girl actress donned a colorful blue frock as she readied for the brand's annual awards ceremony to get underway.

Credit: Celebrity Gossip

Photos by Pacific Coast News

Blake Lively: New Diet Pepsi Can Launch

Stepping out for a week-ending promotional stop, Blake Lively was a dazzler at the launch of the new Diet Pepsi can in New York City on Friday (February 11).

Held at the Diet Pepsi Style Studio, the Gossip Girl actress turned up clad in Valentino as she joined Jonathan Adler and Jill Beraud for a few photos.

Credit: Celebrity Gossip

Photos by Getty

Blake Lively Attends The amfAR New York Gala

She’s always up for a good cause, and last night (February 9) Blake Lively was spotted at the amfAR New York Gala.

The “Gossip Girl” babe showed up at Cipriani Wall Street to help kick off Fall 2011 Fashion Week and hammed it up for the paparazzi in a busty black printed dress.

Credit: Celebrity Gossip

Photos by Getty

Blake Lively Named Most Desirable Woman

Ask Men dot com has unveiled its annual 99 Most Desirable Women list and Gossip Girl star Blake Lively came in at #1. Not exactly going out on a limb there.

Blake, who also appeared in The Town and other films last year, jumped 84 spots from her 2010 ranking. Someone at Ask Men must have just noticed her.

Black Swan star Mila Kunis was the runner-up, followed by Modern Family stunner Sofia Vergara in a bit of a surprise (although certainly deserved) at #3.

Credit: The Hollywood Gossip

Blake Lively Braves the Bitter NYC Winter

Kicking off the work week, Blake Lively was spotted out in New York City earlier today (January 24).

The “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” star filmed outdoor scenes for “Gossip Girl” on what has turned out to be one of the coldest days of the year.

Credit: Celebrity Gossip