Taylor Michel Momsen (born July 26, 1993) is an
American actress,
musician and
model who portrays the character of
Jenny Humphrey on the
CW television series
Gossip Girl and portrayed the role of Cindy Lou Who in
How the Grinch Stole Christmas,
The New York Observer and fronts the rock band
The Pretty Reckless.
Early life and career
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 attended Our Lady of Lourdes School and was raised
Roman Catholic. She began acting professionally at three years of age with a national commercial for
Shake 'N' Bake. She was then cast in
The Prophet's Game. In 2000, Momsen played the role of
Cindy Lou Who in
How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Two years later she was cast in the motion picture:
Hansel and Gretel, in which she played Gretel.
Momsen's career came to a halt for over three years until she received the lead role in the never-aired
WB series
Misconceptions. Momsen appeared in the 2006 film
Saving Shiloh and also the 2007
Walt Disney Pictures film
Underdog, as Molly. She auditioned for the title role in
Hannah Montana, and was in the top three, but the role was instead awarded to
Miley Cyrus. In 2008 Taylor Momsen starred as Jennifer in the movie "Paranoid Park", directed by Gus Van Sant. As of 2007 she...
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