Mother-daughter relationships can be contentious enough on their own. Under the bright lights of Hollywood, they can turn downright destructive.

Latest example: “Gossip Girl” star Leighton Meester, who is suing her mom and ex-manager, Constance Meester, for custody of her younger brother after her mom allegedly spent money meant for her brother’s medical bills to pay for her own cosmetic surgery instead.

Meester filed the suit July 22 in Los Angeles, according to TMZ, which obtained the documents.

“Although [Constance Meester] is healthy and physically able to work, Constance refuses to do so,” the lawsuit says. “Instead, Constance expects her daughter to support her financially.”

TMZ reports that Leighton Meester sent her mom $7,500 a month to help pay for her brother Lex’s ongoing medical treatment. According to the suit, he has multiple health problems and is recovering from recent brain surgery.

But the 25-year-old “Country Strong” actress asserted that her mother spent the money on Botox, hair extensions, plastic surgery and other personal expenses.

Constance Meester, 55, claimed to TMZ that the monthly payments are part of a settlement for helping her daughter become successful. According to the suit, the mother maintains she had a verbal contract with Leighton Meester in which her daughter promised to give her $10,000 a month for the rest of her life. Leighton Meester has asked a judge to rule no such agreement exists.

Now, Constance Meester, who gave birth to her daughter while serving time in a federal prison for a drug smuggling conviction, is fighting back. She filed a countersuit Tuesday in which she alleged that her daughter repeatedly “hit her with a bottle” last December and was so crazed that her brother had to pull her off, TMZ reported.

Source: ABC News