Taylor Momsen | |
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![]() Momsen performing with the Pretty Reckless in 2024 | |
Born | Taylor Michel Momsen July 26, 1993 |
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Member of | The Pretty Reckless |
Taylor Michel Momsen [1] (born July 26, 1993) [2] is an American singer, songwriter, musician, model, and former actress. Prior to her retirement from acting, she portrayed the character of Cindy Lou Who in the film How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) and Jenny Humphrey on The CW's teen drama series Gossip Girl (2007–2012). [3] Momsen has been the frontwoman of the American rock band the Pretty Reckless since their inception in 2009.
Momsen was born in St. Louis, Missouri. Her parents are Michael and Collette Momsen, and she has a younger sister, Sloane Momsen, who is also an actress. She is of partial Russian descent. [4] She was raised Catholic, [5] attending Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School [6] for elementary school and later Herbert Hoover Middle School (in Potomac, Maryland), but is now non-religious. [7] [8] [9] She also studied ballet at the Center of Creative Arts (COCA) in St. Louis.
Momsen was signed with Ford Models at a very young age: "My parents signed me up with Ford [Modeling] at the age of two. No two-year-old wants to be working, but I had no choice. My whole life, I was in and out of school. I didn't have friends. I was working constantly and I didn't have a real life." [7] She began acting professionally at three years of age in a 1997 national commercial for Shake 'n Bake. [10] She was then cast in The Prophet's Game.
Momsen is included on the list of unclaimed Coogan accounts for performing children who have had part of their childhood earnings set aside to be claimed in adulthood pursuant to the Coogan Act. [11]
In 2000, Momsen played the role of Cindy Lou Who in Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas , her breakout role. In 2002, she played Gretel in Hansel and Gretel and Alexandra, the President's daughter, in Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams .
Momsen's career came to a halt for over three years until she received a lead role in the WB series Misconceptions, which never aired. After that, she appeared in the 2006 film Saving Shiloh . She also auditioned for the title role in Hannah Montana , and was in the top three, but the role was instead awarded to Miley Cyrus—a decision that Momsen was happy with in retrospect. [12] In 2007, she starred in the Walt Disney Pictures film Underdog as Molly and as Jennifer in the movie Paranoid Park , directed by Gus Van Sant.
Beginning in 2007, she played the character of Jenny Humphrey in The CW television series Gossip Girl , based on the book series by Cecily von Ziegesar. Momsen's appearances on the series became increasingly sporadic, and, by the end of the first half of the fourth season, she had only appeared in four episodes. It was then announced that the actress would be scheduled for an indefinite hiatus from the show, [13] which ended with her leaving the series as a regular cast member after the completion of the fourth season in 2011. On August 16, 2011, Momsen told Elle magazine that she had quit acting to focus on her music career. [14] On October 16, 2012, it was reported that Momsen would be returning to Gossip Girl for its final episode, in which she appeared briefly in the wedding sequence. [15] [16]
In June 2008, at the age of 14, Momsen signed to IMG Models. [17] [18] She was the face of British fashion chain New Look for its spring/summer 2010 collection. [19] After weeks of speculation about who would be the face of Madonna's 2010 fashion line "Material Girl", Momsen was announced on July 15, 2010. [20] A week later, Momsen was announced as the model for John Galliano's new women's fragrance, scheduled to launch in autumn 2010. [21] In 2010, she appeared in a video for Galliano's "Parlez-Moi d'Amour" fragrance ad campaign.
Momsen is the face of Samantha Thavasa's handbag line. She has done multiple photoshoots, press events, and commercials. [22]
Momsen appeared on the cover of Page Six Magazine when she was 15 years old in 2009. She also appeared on the February 2010 cover of Seventeen . [23] In October 2010, Momsen wore a pair of platform stilettos, thigh-high stockings, and a holster strapped around her leg for Revolver . She appeared on the cover of FHM 's March 2012 edition [24] and FHM ranked Momsen #29 in its 2012 Hot 100 issue. [25] She also made her cover debut for Maxim in the November 2013 issue. [26]
In an interview with music journalist Jason Tanamor, when asked about posing for Playboy, she said, "I was at the mansion last week and took some pictures. Does that count?" [27]
Momsen has said that "music is where I can be me", [28] stating that "acting is easy. I've been doing it for so long and I totally love it. But you're playing a character instead of yourself. Music is more personal because you're writing it and you're involved in every step of it." [28] At seven years old, Momsen recorded the song "Where Are You Christmas?" for the soundtrack to How the Grinch Stole Christmas . In 2002, she recorded the songs "One Small Voice" and "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" for the compilation album School's Out! Christmas.
In March 2009, Momsen stated in an interview with OK! magazine that her band the Pretty Reckless had signed a deal with Interscope Records. [29] She played her first tour with her band opening for The Veronicas on their Revenge Is Sweeter Tour in spring 2009. [30] After the tour, Momsen began working with guitarist Ben Phillips, who would soon join the band. Momsen subsequently swapped out her former bandmates. She co-writes songs with Phillips; in addition to lead vocals, Momsen also plays rhythm guitar.
The band's debut album Light Me Up was released on August 30, 2010, in the UK, [31] where it debuted at number 6, as well as at number 18 in Ireland. The first single "Make Me Wanna Die" was released on May 30, 2010, while the second single "Miss Nothing" which was released on August 23, 2010, peaked at number 39. "Just Tonight" was released as the album's third single. Songs from this album have featured in the movie Kick-Ass as well as the television series The Vampire Diaries and Gossip Girl . [32]
Television personality Heidi Montag recorded "Blackout", a song written by Momsen. According to Momsen, she wrote the song when she was 8 years old and recorded it as a demo with a producer. [33] Montag released the song as a digital only single, with the music video being directed by her husband Spencer Pratt. Momsen commented about the recording: "I'm like, okay, dude, you're singing an 8-year-old's words, but that's cool. It's so funny because I didn't shop it or anything and I get this call going, 'Did you write a song for Heidi Montag'? And I'm like, 'What?'" [33] The track was later included on Montag's debut studio album, Superficial (2010).
On July 27, 2011, Momsen announced that the band would be the supporting act for Evanescence during the fall of 2011. [34] Throughout 2012, Momsen and her band toured North America; the second headlining tour, titled the Medicine Tour, began in March 2012 [35] and culminated with supporting dates for Marilyn Manson's 2012 world tour Hey Cruel World... Tour. Momsen also appeared as guest vocalist on the first track of ex Ministry member Paul Barker's 2012 album Fix This.
On November 30, 2012, it was announced that the Pretty Reckless' fourth single "Kill Me" would be released on December 11. [36] The track was the last song to be featured in the Gossip Girl series finale.
Momsen cites Kurt Cobain, Chris Cornell, the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, the Who, Pink Floyd, AC/DC, Marilyn Manson, Oasis, and Shirley Manson of Garbage as some of her personal influences. [37] [38] [39]
Going to Hell was released on March 18, 2014. [40] The release marked the band's largest sales week to date and landed at number five on the Billboard 200 with over 35,000 copies sold in its first week. [41] The success of the record saw Taylor, along with the rest of the band, break records when they became the first female-fronted band to reach No. 1 on the rock radio charts with its first two singles: "Heaven Knows" in March 2014 and "Fucked Up World" in September 2014. [42] The Pretty Reckless also spent the majority of late 2013 throughout 2014 on tour supporting Going To Hell. In 2014, her band also supported Fall Out Boy in their European leg of the Save Rock n Roll Tour along with New Politics.
Throughout 2015, Momsen continued to record new material for the third Pretty Reckless album. On September 29, 2016, the band released the single "Take Me Down", which reached number one on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart. [43] [44] The third album, Who You Selling For, was released in October 2016. [43]
In 2020, Momsen lent her vocals to the American rock band Evanescence for "Use My Voice", a single from the band's album The Bitter Truth, alongside other artists such as American rock vocalist Lzzy Hale from Halestorm, Dutch symphonic metal vocalist Sharon den Adel from Within Temptation, and electronic violinist Lindsey Stirling. [45]
The Pretty Reckless released their fourth album, Death by Rock and Roll , on February 12, 2021. The Pretty Reckless became the first female-fronted band to have five number one singles when "Death by Rock and Roll" hit number one on the charts. [46]
Reflecting on her child acting career, she described it as an 'alienating' experience, detailing bullying she received after her performance in How the Grinch Stole Christmas . [47]
Momsen was friends with Soundgarden singer Chris Cornell and record producer Kato Khandwala. After their respective deaths in 2017 and 2018, she isolated herself, and fell into depression, eventually using music to deal with the trauma. [48] [49]
The Pretty Reckless studio albums
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
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1999 | The Prophet's Game | Honey Bee Swan | |
2000 | How the Grinch Stole Christmas | Cindy Lou Who | Nominated—Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Female Newcomer Nominated—Saturn Award for Best Performance by a Younger Actor Nominated—Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a Feature Film – Young Actress Age Ten or Under |
2002 | Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams | Alexandra Anami | |
Hansel & Gretel | Gretel | ||
We were Soldiers | Daughter Julie Moore | ||
2006 | Saving Shiloh | Samantha Wallace | |
2007 | Paranoid Park | Jennifer | |
Underdog | Molly | Nominated—Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a Feature Film – Supporting Young Actress | |
2008 | Spy School | Madison Kramer | |
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
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1998 | Early Edition | Allie | Uncredited; episode: "A Minor Miracle" |
2006 | Misconceptions | Hopper Watson | Unaired WB series |
2007–2010, 2012 | Gossip Girl | Jennifer "Jenny" Humphrey | Main cast (seasons 1–4) Special guest star (season 6): 66 episodes Nominated—Teen Choice Award for Choice TV Breakout Star: Female Nominated—Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a TV Series (Comedy or Drama) – Leading Young Actress |
Year | Title | Artist | Notes |
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2014 | "L.A. Love (La La)" | Fergie | Cameo |
Evanescence is an American rock band founded in 1994 by singer and keyboardist Amy Lee and guitarist Ben Moody in Little Rock, Arkansas. After releasing independent EPs as a duo in the late '90s and a demo CD, Evanescence released their debut studio album, Fallen, on Wind-up Records in 2003. Propelled by the success of hit singles like "Bring Me to Life" and "My Immortal", Fallen sold more than four million copies in the US by January 2004, garnering Evanescence two Grammy Awards out of six nominations. They released their first live album and concert DVD, Anywhere but Home, in 2004, which sold over one million copies worldwide.
The Pretty Reckless is an American rock band from New York City, formed in 2009. The band consists of Taylor Momsen, Ben Phillips, Mark Damon (bass), and Jamie Perkins (drums). In August 2010, the band released their debut studio album, Light Me Up. The album spawned three moderately successful singles, most notably "Make Me Wanna Die". The band released the Hit Me Like a Man EP in early 2012. In March 2014, the band released their second studio album, Going to Hell, which included the singles "Heaven Knows" and "Messed Up World", both of which topped the US and UK rock charts.
"Make Me Wanna Die" is a song by American rock band the Pretty Reckless from their eponymous debut extended play (2010) and their debut studio album, Light Me Up (2010). The song was written by Taylor Momsen, Ben Phillips, and Kato Khandwala, and produced by the latter. It was released on April 14, 2010, as the lead single from both the EP and the album.
Light Me Up is the debut studio album by American rock band The Pretty Reckless. It was released on August 27, 2010, by Interscope Records. The album received commercial success with the singles "Make Me Wanna Die", "Miss Nothing", and "Just Tonight".
"Miss Nothing" is a song by American rock band The Pretty Reckless from their debut studio album, Light Me Up (2010). It was released on August 18, 2010, as the album's second single.
"Just Tonight" is a song by American rock band The Pretty Reckless from their debut studio album, Light Me Up (2010). Band members Taylor Momsen and Ben Phillips co-wrote the song with its producer, Kato Khandwala. It was released on December 23, 2010, as the third and final single from the album.
The Light Me Up Tour was the first headline tour by American rock band the Pretty Reckless, in support of their debut studio album, Light Me Up. The tour began on August 19, 2010, and concluded on March 5, 2012, with a total of 112 shows.
American rock band The Pretty Reckless has released four studio albums, one compilation, two extended plays, 14 singles, four promotional singles, and 16 music videos. Originally named The Reckless, the band was formed in early 2009, with Taylor Momsen on vocals, Ben Phillips on lead guitar, Mark Damon on bass and Jamie Perkins on drums.
Evanescence is the third studio album by American rock band Evanescence, released on October 7, 2011, by Wind-up Records. The band began writing the album in June 2009. Its release was delayed several times; on February 22, 2010, the band entered the studio with producer Steve Lillywhite but later stopped working with him because he "wasn't the right fit". At the time the album was scheduled for an August or September 2010 release, but Lee later announced that Evanescence had postponed recording to write more material. In April 2011, the band returned to the studio with producer Nick Raskulinecz. Evanescence is the first Evanescence album to be written as a band, with Lee, guitarist Terry Balsamo, guitarist Troy McLawhorn, bassist Tim McCord and drummer Will Hunt co-writing the music together.
The Evanescence Tour was the third worldwide concert tour by American rock band Evanescence. Staged in support of their eponymous third studio album and comprising a set list of songs from that and their two previous albums, Fallen (2003) and The Open Door (2006), the tour began in August 2011 and ended in November 2012. It received mixed reviews by music critics who generally praised Lee's vocals and the performance of the other members of the band, but criticized their lack of interaction with the audience.
Hit Me Like a Man EP is the second extended play (EP) by American rock band The Pretty Reckless. It was released on March 2, 2012, by Interscope Records. The EP contains three new songs, as well as live renditions of "Make Me Wanna Die" and "Since You're Gone"—originally included on the band's debut studio album, Light Me Up (2010)—which were recorded at London's Hammersmith Apollo on November 4 and 5, 2011.
"Kill Me" is a song by American rock band the Pretty Reckless, released as a single on December 7, 2012, by Interscope Records. The song was initially intended to serve as the lead single from the band's then-untitled second studio album, as announced by lead singer Taylor Momsen through her Twitter account. However, after the Pretty Reckless moved record labels from Interscope to Razor & Tie, "Kill Me" was left out of the band's second album, Going to Hell (2014), although it was included as a bonus track on the Japanese edition of the album.
Going to Hell is the second studio album by American rock band the Pretty Reckless. It was released on March 12, 2014, by Razor & Tie. The album debuted at number five on the Billboard 200 with 35,000 copies sold in its first week, becoming the band's first top-10 album on the chart. Going to Hell spawned five singles, including "Heaven Knows", "Messed Up World ", and "Follow Me Down", all three of which reached number one on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Songs chart.
"Heaven Knows" is a song by American rock band the Pretty Reckless from their second studio album, Going to Hell (2014). It was written by Taylor Momsen and Ben Phillips, while Kato Khandwala handled the production. Released on November 19, 2013, as the album's second single, "Heaven Knows" is the band's first single to top a Billboard chart and their second single to top UK Rock Singles Chart, following their debut single "Make Me Wanna Die" (2010). The song later entered the Alternative Songs chart, peaking at number 20.
Who You Selling For is the third studio album by American rock band The Pretty Reckless. It was released on October 21, 2016, by Razor & Tie. The album reached number 13 on the US Billboard 200 and number 23 on the UK Albums Chart. Its lead single, "Take Me Down", topped the Billboard US Mainstream Rock chart in October 2016. The album also spawned the singles "Oh My God" and "Back to the River".
"Messed Up World (F'd Up World)" (titled "Fucked Up World" in the album version) is a song by American rock band The Pretty Reckless from their second studio album, Going to Hell (2014). It was released on April 22, 2014, as the album's third single. The track topped Billboard's Mainstream Rock Songs chart in 2014.
"Take Me Down" is a song by American rock band The Pretty Reckless from their third studio album, Who You Selling For (2016). It was released on July 15, 2016, as the album's lead single. The song topped the Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs chart in 2016, the band's fourth single to do so at the time, following "Heaven Knows", "Messed Up World ", and "Follow Me Down".
"Back to the River" is a song by American rock band The Pretty Reckless featuring American musician Warren Haynes. It was released to active rock radio in the United States on June 13, 2017, as the third and final single from the band's third studio album, Who You Selling For (2016). The song peaked at number 12 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Songs chart.
"Use My Voice" is a song by American rock band Evanescence. It was released on August 14, 2020, by BMG as the third single from the band's fifth studio album, The Bitter Truth. It was originally intended as the first single, but "Wasted on You" was released first due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was nominated for the MTV Video Music Award for Best Rock Video in the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards.
Death by Rock and Roll is the fourth studio album by American rock band the Pretty Reckless, released on February 12, 2021. It is the band's first album released with their new label, Fearless Records, and is also the band's first album since the death of their long-time producer, Kato Khandwala in 2018. The album was produced by Jonathan Wyman, vocalist Taylor Momsen, and guitarist Ben Phillips, along with additional production done by Nate Yacchichino. The album was preceded by two singles: "Death by Rock and Roll" and "And So It Went" featuring Tom Morello. There were also two promotional singles released prior to the album: "Broomsticks" and "25".
I love Oasis. I love Noel Gallagher. He's a great songwriter. I'd love to be able to write a song with him at some point.