Grinch child star’s wild career change only just discovered by fans-Laura Harman-Entertainment – Metro

Taylor Momsen was Cindy Lou Who in How The Grinch Stole Christmas (Picture : Universal/Everett/REX/Shutterstock)

Taylor Momsen is best known to many as the child star who played Cindy Lou Who, and while some knew she went on to be a rockstar – many have been completely shocked by her current career.

Cindy Lou Who was an iconic character who came to fame in the 2000 Jim Carrey film How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

The adorable child star is 31 today but was just six or seven when she appeared in the series as the adorable youngster who helped the Grinch’s heart grow.

The child star also appeared in other children’s films including Spy Kids 2, Underdog and Hansel and Gretel and made a name for herself as a child star.

Then as a teenager in 2007, Taylor went on to play Jenny Humphrey or ‘Little J’ in Gossip Girl, in which she had a complete transformation from squeaky clean teen to emo rock chic.

Today, the singer is the lead singer of The Pretty Reckless, a rock band from New York – and she sports an entirely different look.

The star looks rather different today than she did as a child (Picture: Moviestore/REX/Shutterstock)

Taylor is now a rock star (Picture: Daniel DeSlover/ZUMA Press Wire/REX/Shutterstock)

The singer has a grungey look today (Picture: Gregory Pace/REX/Shutterstock)

The singer fronts a rock band (Picture: Stuart Westwood/REX/Shutterstock)

Fans couldn’t comprehend that the little girl from the beloved Christmas film was in fact the Gossip Girl star and the frontman of The Pretty Reckless.

While this was old news to so many, various fans took to social media to share their shock that the actress was once the same doe-eyed child star from the beloved holiday movie.

‘MISS LITTLE J WAS THE ONE WHO PLAYED MISS CINDY LOU WHO??? I didn’t know that,’ said itzniiikkibaby.

‘Finding out lil jay was Cindy was the most mind-boggling thing I’ve ever experienced tbh,’ Jadorekell

‘Not me just now finding out Taylor Momsen was Cindy Lou who,’ said Loveezzle.

Many knew Taylor was ‘Little J’ in this beloved teen drama series (Picture: CW Network/Everett/REX/Shutterstock)

Speaking to her former Gossip Girl co-star Penn Badgley on the Podcrushed podcast in 2023, the singer revealed that she was made fun of as a child for her role.

‘First of all, The Grinch changed my life in a multitude of ways – one of them being I was made fun of relentlessly.

‘Every time I would start a new school or go somewhere else, I don’t even think the kids knew my name. I was just “Grinch Girl”. Not even the character name, just “Grinch Girl”. I got used to it, but it was alienating.’

Taylor was just a child in this breakout role (Credits: Moviestore/REX/Shutterstock)

Speaking to NBC’s Today Show in 2020 she revealed that despite the bullying, she still had a special place for the film in her heart.

‘I think that people love The Grinch just simply because the core of the story is so sweet and it’s so heartwarming and it has such a good message.

‘That no matter what age touches your heart, I think that that’s an amazing thing to be a part of.

‘The fact that it comes back around every year – I think it’s something to look forward to. And I think it just kinda brings happiness and joy to anyone who watches it.’

Taylor played Jenny in the series (Picture: Timothy White/Cw Network/Kobal/Shutterstock)

The Pretty Reckless was first formed in 2009 and consists of Taylor, Ben Phillips, on lead guitar and backing vocals, Mark Damon on bass, and Jamie Perkins on drums.

The band had success with their 2010 song Make Me Wanna Die, and the 2014 singles Heaven Knows and Messed Up World.

The band is still together and in the summer of 2024 the group toured as the opening act of AC/DC’s Power Up Tour.

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