Taylor Momsen

Taylor Momsen

Momsen performing at the Warped Tour Kick-Off Party in April 2010
Born Taylor Michel Momsen
(1993-07-26) July 26, 1993
St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Occupation Musician, Actress, Model
Years active 1997[1] –present

Musical career

Genres Alternative rock, hard rock
Instruments Vocals, guitar
Labels Interscope, Cooking Vinyl, Razor & Tie
Associated acts The Pretty Reckless

Taylor Michel Momsen (born July 26, 1993)[2] is an American singer-songwriter, former actress, and model. She is known for portraying the character of Jenny Humphrey on the CW television series Gossip Girl (2007–12) and Cindy Lou Who in Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000).[3] Since 2007, she is the frontwoman of the rock band The Pretty Reckless.

Early life

Taylor Momsen was born on July 26, 1993, 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 has Russian ancestry.[4] She was raised Roman Catholic[5] and attended Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School[6] for elementary school and later Herbert Hoover Middle School in Potomac, Maryland.[7] She studied dance at the Center of Creative Arts in St. Louis.

Momsen was signed with Ford Models at a young age: "My parents signed me up with Ford [Modeling] at the age of 2. No 2-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.[8] She was then cast in The Prophet's Game.

Momsen is included on the list of Unclaimed Coogan accounts for performing children whose partial childhood earnings are mandated to be put in a special fund but who have yet to claim their earnings.[9]

Momsen attended the Professional Performing Arts School in Manhattan for high school alongside Connor Paolo, Gregori Lukas and Sarah Hyland.

Acting

Momsen at the Metropolitan Opera in 2008

In 2000, Momsen played the role of Cindy Lou Who in Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas, her breakout role. In 2002, she was given the role of Gretel in the motion picture: Hansel and Gretel, as well as 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 was never aired. Also at this time, Momsen 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.[10] 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, which is 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,[11] which ultimately resulted in her leaving the series as a regular cast member, following the completion of the fourth season in 2011. Later that year, on August 16, 2011, Momsen told Elle magazine that she had quit acting to focus on her music career.[12] However, on October 16, 2012, it was reported that Momsen and Connor Paolo, whose recurring role as Momsen's stepbrother had also been significantly decreased following the fifth season, would be returning to Gossip Girl for the final episode of the sixth and final season.[13][14]

Modeling

In June 2008, at the age of fourteen, Momsen signed to IMG Models.[15][16]

Taylor was the face of British fashion chain New Look for its spring/summer 2010 collection.[17] After weeks of speculation of who was the face of Madonna's 2010 fashion line "Material Girl", Momsen was announced on July 15, 2010.[18] A week later, Momsen was announced as the model for John Galliano's new women's fragrance, scheduled to launch in autumn 2010.[19] In 2010, she appeared in a video for John Galliano's "Parlez-Moi d’Amour" fragrance ad campaign

Momsen is currently the face of Samantha Thavasa's handbag line. She has done multiple photoshoots, press events, and commercials.[20]

She covered Page Six Magazine when she was fifteen years old in 2009. Momsen also covered on the February 2010 cover of Seventeen[21] In October 2010, Momsen wore a pair of platform stilettos, thigh-high stockings, and had a holster strapped around her leg for Revolver. Two months after she covered French magazine Rock One's. Momsen graced the cover of FHM’s March 2012 edition [22] and FHM ranked Momsen #29 in its 2012 Hot 100 issue.[23] She also made her debut Maxim cover in the November 2013 issue [24]

Music

Momsen in concert in April 2010

Momsen has said that "music is where I can be me",[25] 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."[25] At 5 years old, Momsen recorded the song "Christmas, Why Can't I Find You?" 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.[26] She played her first tour with her band opening for The Veronicas on their Revenge is Sweeter Tour in spring 2009.[27] 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,[28] 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, where it peaked at number 16, while the second single "Miss Nothing" which was released on August 23, 2010 peaked at number 39. The third single released has been "Just Tonight".

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.[29] 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?'".[29] The track was later included on Montag's debut studio album Superficial (2010).

On July 27, 2011, Momsen announced via Twitter that the band would be the supporting act for Evanescence during the fall of 2011.[30] Throughout 2012, Momsen and her band toured North America; the second headlining tour, titled the Medicine Tour, began in March 2012 [31] 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.[32] The track was the last song to be featured in the Gossip Girl series finale.

In 2014, the band released the album, Going to Hell and have been touring the album. Momsen cites Kurt Cobain, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, The Who, Pink Floyd, AC/DC, and Shirley Manson of Garbage as some of her personal influences.[33][34]

After the Going to Hell World tour was finished, the next album was in the early stages. In late 2015, Taylor confirmed through twitter, that new music was on the way.

Discography

Studio albums

EPs

Singles

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes
1999 Prophet's Game, TheThe Prophet's Game Honey Bee Swan
2000 Dr. Seuss' 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 We Were Soldiers Julie Moore
2002 Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams Alexandra
2002 Hansel & Gretel Gretel
2006 Saving Shiloh Samantha Wallace
2007 Paranoid Park Jennifer
2007 Underdog Molly Nominated—Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a Feature Film – Supporting Young Actress
2008 Spy School Madison Kramer
Television
Year Title Role Notes
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 (Season 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

References

  1. ↑ "Taylor Momsen, Age 3, In Shake 'N Bake Commercial (VIDEO)". Huffington Post. 15 November 2010. Retrieved December 1, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Taylor Momsen Biography". TV Guide. Retrieved October 18, 2010.
  3. ↑ "Taylor Momsen: Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman". The New York Observer
  4. ↑ Momsen, Taylor (July 8, 2013). "Twitter: taylormomsen: @Zheka_Kinoman yes, I'm part Russian". Twitter.com. Retrieved July 16, 2013.
  5. ↑ "Taylor Momsen Gets Spiritual - Daily Intelligencer". Nymag.com. Retrieved September 2, 2013.
  6. ↑ "Taylor Momsen". Movies.yahoo.com. April 20, 2011. Retrieved September 2, 2013.
  7. 1 2 Blonska, Joanna. "The Young and the 'Reckless'". Bethesda Magazine. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  8. ↑ "Taylor Momsen, Age 3, In Shake 'N Bake Commercial (VIDEO)". Huffington Post. 15 November 2010. Retrieved December 1, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Unclaimed Coogan Fund list".
  10. ↑ "Taylor Momsen Glad She's Not 'Hannah Montana'". www.starpulse.com. January 25, 2010. Retrieved September 26, 2010.
  11. ↑ Ausiello, Michael"'Gossip Girl' Sidelines Taylor Momsen", Deadline.com, November 22, 2010. Retrieved November 23, 2010.
  12. ↑ "Momen Quit Acting". www.yahooblogs.com. August 16, 2011. Retrieved August 16, 2011.
  13. ↑ "Taylor Momsen Returning To 'Gossip Girl' Along With Connor Paolo". The Huffington Post. AOL accessdate=October 17, 2012. October 16, 2011.
  14. ↑ Murray, Rheana (October 17, 2012). "'Gossip Girl' Alums Taylor Momsen and Connor Paolo Make Surprise Return for Show's Final Episode". Daily News. Retrieved November 12, 2012.
  15. ↑ "Taylor Momsen: From Gossip Girl to Supermodel". Offtherack.people.com. June 25, 2008. Retrieved June 25, 2010.
  16. ↑ Vogue, Teen. "Taylor Momsen: Girl on Film". Teenvogue.com. Retrieved June 25, 2010.
  17. ↑ "Taylor Momsen for new look". The Express online. March 8, 2010. Retrieved April 4, 2010.
  18. ↑ "Grazia Fashion: Taylor Momsen is the face of Material Girl!". Graziadaily.co.uk. Retrieved August 10, 2010.
  19. ↑ "Grazia Fashion: Taylor Momsen To Model For Galllano!!". Graziadaily.co.uk. Retrieved August 10, 2010.
  20. ↑ "Samantha Thavasa Will Have You Know Taylor Momsen Is Employable". Retrieved June 20, 2013.
  21. ↑ "Taylor Momsen Seventeen Cover - Interview and Pictures of Taylor Momsen". Seventeen.com. Retrieved February 9, 2014.
  22. ↑ "FHM at Taylor Momsen’s sexy house party! | Girls". FHM.com. Retrieved February 9, 2014.
  23. ↑ "Hot 100". FHM. 2012. Retrieved January 11, 2013.
  24. ↑ Tweet (October 10, 2013). "Taylor Momsen | Pictures of a Pretty Reckless Singer". Maxim. Retrieved February 9, 2014.
  25. 1 2 Wightman, Catriona, "Taylor Momsen: 'Music is my only goal'", Digital Spy, November 3, 2010, retrieved November 3, 2011
  26. ↑ "Taylor Momsen Not Kissing Chace Crawford Offscreen". Okmagazine.com. March 3, 2009. Retrieved June 25, 2010.
  27. ↑ "TAYLOR MOMSEN'S "Pretty Reckless": The Veronicas Pick "GOSSIP GIRL" Band As Tour Opener". Huffingtonpost.com. April 17, 2009. Retrieved November 8, 2011.
  28. ↑ New Song from Taylor Momsen's Pretty Reckless By Avery Spofford on July 12, 2010 5:56 pm – Spin
  29. 1 2 Harp, Justin, "Momsen 'surprised by Montag song cover'", Digital Spy, October 15, 2010, retrieved January 3, 2011
  30. ↑ "Taylor Momsen announces tour with Evanescence, AHN, July 27, 2011, retrieved July 31, 2011
  31. ↑ The Pretty Reckless Bring 'Medicine Tour' Stateside By Tara Hall on January 31, 2012 5:56 pm – Soundspike
  32. ↑ "Kill Me [Explicit]". Amazon.com. Amazon.com. 2012. Retrieved November 30, 2012.
  33. ↑ "Taylor Momsen of The Pretty Reckless - 'Wikipedia: Fact or Fiction?'". Loudwire. Retrieved 2016-03-28.
  34. ↑ "Taylor Momsen: 'I admire Shirley Manson' - Music News". Digital Spy. 29 August 2010. Retrieved 2 January 2012.

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