Taylor Momsen Reveals If She’ll Ever Return to Acting After Quitting Following “Gossip Girl” and “The Grinch” (Exclusive)
- - Taylor Momsen Reveals If She’ll Ever Return to Acting After Quitting Following “Gossip Girl” and “The Grinch” (Exclusive)
Brian Anthony Hernandez, Nicole PajerFebruary 8, 2026 at 7:00 AM
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Taylor Momsen on Jan. 30, 2026
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
Taylor Momsen discussed if she would ever return to acting
The musician, who quit acting roughly 15 years ago, previously starred in Gossip Girl and How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Her band, The Pretty Reckless, is touring with AC/DC in 2026
Taylor Momsen is leaving her acting era, which included starring roles in Gossip Girl and How the Grinch Stole Christmas, in her review mirror.
Speaking with PEOPLE in an exclusive interview at Steven Tyler’s 7th Jam for Janie Grammy Awards Viewing Party on Feb. 1, the 32-year-old musician discussed if she’d ever return to the world of acting.
“No. I mean, I’ve learned to never say never in life anymore, because life is too bizarre,” Momsen explained. “That’s what I figured out in my 32 years.”
From left: Taylor Momsen and Penn Badgley on ‘Gossip Girl’ in 2008
Giovanni Rufino/The CW
The former actress added, “But it’s not something that I care to pursue.”
Asked whether she’d act again if it were for a reboot with a compelling script tied to a past TV or movie project, Momsen double downed.
“I think I'm cool. I think I’m going to tour with AC/DC,” she said, referring to her band, The Pretty Reckless, joining the legendary rockers on the road this year.
“I’m having a really good time in life. I love making music,” she added. “Acting was a childhood thing and music is something … that I always pursued for myself. There’s no character involved.”
Momsen concluded, “I don’t like being someone's pawn. I like being in charge. I like writing the script. I like writing songs. That’s everything.”
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Taylor Momsen in Los Angeles on Feb. 1, 2026
CraSH/imageSPACE/Shutterstock
When Momsen was 5 years old, she famously played Cindy Lou Who in 2000’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas opposite Jim Carrey as the Grinch.
Then, from 2007 to 2012, Momsen portrayed Jenny Humphrey on the popular teen drama series Gossip Girl. She left as a season regular in 2010, but she returned as a guest star for the series finale in 2012.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
