Leighton Meester's mum attacks actress as she faces life on the streets

Gossip Girl star Leighton Meester's mother has taken aim at the actress for allegedly turning her back on the family at a time when they desperately need her financial support.

Constance Meester claims her daughter has cut her off and she and the actress' younger brother Lex face the holidays without a home now she has stopped aiding them financially.

In an exclusive interview with In Touch magazine, the miserable mum says, "My car was taken away. My house has gone into default, and we can't afford food. I only have $26 left. If something doesn't happen soon, we'll be homeless by the holidays.

"I just got blood work done, and the doctors are pretty sure that I have lymphoma."

Leighton Meester's mother, who was incarcerated on drug-related charges shortly after her daughter was born, insists she got clean to help her the young girl make it as a star - and she has supported her as she chased her dream, even taking a job as an exotic dancer to "make ends meet".

When Leighton landed a regular spot on Gossip Girl, Constance imagined that the hard times were over. But mother and daughter fell out three years ago (08) and the actress ended their informal business relationship. Earlier this year (11) she accused her mother of using her monthly cash hand-outs for cosmetic surgery - and the star stopped paying.

And now her mum and brother are pleading poverty in the media.

Constance tells In Touch, "The other night I was looking at homeless shelters, and Lex showed me photos he'd found of a million dollar house she bought in L.A. and said, 'Mum, how can she do this to us?'"