Taylor Momsen

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Taylor Momsen
Momsen at the Metropolitan Opera opening, September 22, 2008
Born	Taylor Michel Momsen July 26, 1993 (1993-07-26) (age 16) St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1998–present

Taylor Michel Momsen^[1] (born July 26, 1993) is an American actress, singer, and model. She portrays the character Jenny Humphrey on The CW television series Gossip Girl.^[2]

Early life

Momsen was born in St. Louis, Missouri to Collette and Michael Momsen and lives in Potomac, Maryland where she attended Herbert Hoover Middle School. She was going to attend Winston Churchill High School but moved to New York City before she could attend. ^[1][3] Her younger sister Sloane Momsen is also an actress and singer. She attended Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Grade School in University City. She also attended COCA in St. Louis where she took dance classes as a kid and also martial arts.

Career

She began acting professionally at age three, with a national commercial for Shake 'N' Bake. Then she got a role in The Prophet's Game. In 2000 Momsen got the role of Cindy Lou Who in How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Two years later she got parts in one more motion picture: Hansel & Gretel, in which she played Gretel. Momsen's career came to a halt for over three years until she got the lead role in the never-aired The WB series Misconceptions. In 2002, Momsen recorded "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and "One Small Voice" featuring Myra and Camille Winbush for School's Out! Christmas. Momsen appeared in the 2006 film Saving Shiloh and as Molly in the 2007 Walt Disney Pictures film Underdog. She auditioned for the title role in Hannah Montana, and was in the top three, but the role went to Miley Cyrus. As of 2007 she plays the character of Jenny Humphrey in The CW television series Gossip Girl, which is based on the book series by Cecily von Ziegesar.

In June 2008, at the age of fourteen, Momsen signed to IMG Models.^[4][5] In March 2009, Momsen stated in an interview with OK! Magazine that her band, The Pretty Reckless, had recently signed a deal with Interscope Records and would release their debut album this year. She also mentioned that she writes all the songs, sings, and plays guitar on the album.^[6] Momsen has also made it onto the 2009 People Magazine 100 most beautiful list at number 76.^[7][8]

Public image

Taylor admits to living a very adult life for someone her age in the September 2009 issue of Teen Vogue ^[9], and discusses her decision to start dressing in her own style, rather than having a stylist.

The Pretty Reckless

The Pretty Reckless is a post-grunge band formed and fronted by Momsen. The band was previously touring with Momsen on vocals, John Secolo on guitar, Matt Chiarelli on bass, and Nick Carbone on drums. The band was originally to be called "The Reckless", but was changed to the The Pretty Reckless for unknown reasons.^[10] Momsen has stated in an interview with OK! Magazine that the band has signed with Interscope Records and will be releasing their debut album later this year. Earlier this year, The Pretty Reckless toured with The Veronicas. In another interview Momsen briefly discussed the sound of the band, saying it would be "not what people are going to expect" and will feature a dark and heavy sound but would have "lighter, fun stuff as well." She also revealed that she performs as the lead vocalist and guitarist and writes all of the songs.

In an interview with MTV, Momsen revealed the influences on the band include The Beatles along with many grunge bands, such as Soundgarden, Audioslave, Hole and Nirvana. She also stated that her personal influences also include Debbie Harry, Joan Jett, Cherie Currie and Courtney Love.^[11] As of August 17 2009, the band's myspace page is streaming demos of the songs "Zombie" and "He Loves You".^[12] The 1st song they have made was "Blender."

Filmography

Discography

Songs

• "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"
• "One Small Voice"
• "Christmas, Why Can't I Find You?"
• "Blender"
• "Zombie"
• "He Loves You"
• "A.D.D."
• "Bleeding"
• "Heart"
• "Panic"
• "Sleeze Sister"
• "Void N' Null"
• "Superhero"
• "Chaotic Sanity"

Soundtracks

• School's Out! Christmas

References

External links

• Taylor Momsen at the Internet Movie Database
• Taylor Momsen at TV.com
• Taylor Momsen at IMG Models
• Live Review, Video & Photos of Pretty Reckless' First Live Performance
• Official Pretty Reckless website