Leighton Meester has been part of "toxic work environments" in the past

She told People magazine: "I've been in toxic work environments.

"I think that a lot of people have experienced that, being around people who sort of... I don't know, just, like, you have a boss that maybe doesn't uplift you, or whatever."

Co-star Josh Hutcherson feigned shock at her comment and said: "In this industry, that's happened to you?"

Leighton replied: "I know. It's shocking."

The 39-year-old actress noted acting out a toxic dynamic was "really fun to play with in a safe, comedic environment."

Leighton feels "lucky" to have a close bond with her own publicist.

She said: "I guess I could draw some inspiration from my movie version of what that world is, but I've been very lucky to have... I don't know, my publicist, I think of her as my friend.

"I don't know if she thinks the same, but I really like her a lot.

"I do feel like I've been somehow either shielded or lucky in terms of my particular interactions with [publicists]."

But the former Gossip Girl star admitted she has seen some "weird shenanigans" in the industry over the years.

She said: "I've totally seen it from afar and witnessed some weird shenanigans.

"And I'm sure that there's so many weird scenarios. I don't know. They're fun to hear about, but not to live through."

Leighton recently made a guest appearance alongside husband Adam Brody in his romantic comedy series Nobody Wants This, which also stars Kristen Bell as her spouse's love interest, and she previously admitted she felt "so comforted" knowing he was on set with her.

Speaking to Erin and Sara Foster on the World's First Podcast, she said: "I feel so at ease and so comforted and relaxed and I feel like he's encouraging me unconsciously and then I feel him thinking good things.

"I just feel very comforted. Adam too, he does come home and really have nice things to say about everybody and... feels very at home and safe there, too."