Taylor Momsen Biography

Taylor Michel Momsen began working professionally at age three, appearing in a national Shake 'n Bake commercial before moving into film roles.​ Her breakout role came as Cindy Lou Who in the 2000 film adaptation of How the Grinch Stole Christmas, which earned her multiple young-actor award nominations and made her a recognizable child star. She went on to appear in movies such as We Were Soldiers (2002), Hansel & Gretel (2002), Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams (2002), and Underdog (2007), building a steady résumé through the 2000s.​

In 2007, Taylor was cast as Jenny Humphrey on The CW’s teen drama Gossip Girl, a high-profile role that introduced her to a global TV audience. Her character’s evolution from wide-eyed freshman to fashion-obsessed rebel paralleled Taylor's own shift toward a darker, rock-inspired image, even as her appearances became more sporadic in later seasons.​

While still on Gossip Girl, Taylor formed the rock band The Pretty Reckless, signing with Interscope Records in 2009 and stepping into the role of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist. The band’s debut album Light Me Up, released in 2010, produced singles like “Make Me Wanna Die” and helped establish Taylor as a serious rock artist, leading her to retire from acting to focus on music full time.​

With The Pretty Reckless, Taylor has released multiple studio albums and toured extensively, earning a reputation for powerful live performances and a gritty, blues-inflected hard rock sound. The band has topped rock charts and shared stages with acts such as The Veronicas, Evanescence, and Marilyn Manson, cementing Taylor's status as one of the more prominent female voices in modern hard rock.

Filmography: 

Spy School (2008)
Underdog (2007)
Paranoid Park (2007)
Saving Shiloh (2006)
Hansel & Gretel (2002)
Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams (2002)
We Were Soldiers (2002)
How the Grinch Stole Christomas (2000)
The Prophet's Game (2000)