After years of silence, Taylor Momsen finally gave details about her departure.
Actress and singer Taylor Momsen, known for her role on the hit teen series Gossip Girl as Jenny Humphrey, has shared emotional revelations about her retirement from acting and her transformation into a prominent music star.
In a candid conversation with her former co-star Penn Badgley on the podcast, Momsen reflected on her career and her time on the iconic series. When she was presented with the opportunity to join the cast at the young age of 12, she wasn't sure she wanted to leave school and her friends to pursue acting. However, she was persuaded by the promise that it would be a "great opportunity" in her life.
As she filmed the series, Momsen realized that her true passion was music. "It was this place where she could just be: writing songs, expressing how I felt. I was very alone," she shared.
Despite being part of the main cast, she felt alienated for being the youngest and not completely fitting in with the group. "I didn't fit in with you guys, I didn't fit in with Connor (Paolo)'s friends; I was younger than them. I was the new girl. I was the 'Grinch' girl. I was always in this kind of strange, isolated world, probably in part created by myself".
To deal with the pressure of performing, Taylor Momsen founded the rock band The Pretty Reckless in 2007, initially as a hobby. However, the band began to have success, which led her to rethink her career. "I woke up one morning and said, 'Wait a second. I don't have to do this? I don't have to do this other job? Can I just play in my band and tour and write songs? Can I do that?' Of course, it's a little more complicated to get off a TV show than that, but the answer was yes."
The decision to leave Gossip Girl was not an easy one. Momsen met with the show's producers to communicate her choice, but her departure had to have a justification in the plot. "They said, 'Well, we can't let you out of the deal, but we can get you out of the show so you can go on tour,'" Momsen recalled gratefully. "They really allowed me to follow my dream, and I will be forever grateful for that."
Formally, the artist stopped being part of the regular cast in the fifth season of the series. Despite previous reports suggesting she was "difficult on set," we now know that her departure was always agreed upon by both her and the producers. She later returned for the show's finale in 2012, accompanied by a musical performance of The Pretty Reckless.
After a string of hits with her band, Taylor Momsen faced devastating personal challenges, including the death of Soundgarden vocalist Chris Cornell, who was a close friend and collaborator on The Pretty Reckless's music. Less than a year later, her friend and fifth member of the band, Kato Khandwala, died in a motorcycle accident. These profound losses plunged Momsen into deep depression and substance abuse.
Despite the dark moments, the young woman found the strength to write new music in honor of her friend and continue her musical career. "I had to make a very conscious decision at some point: either I would die or I would move on. I chose to move on," she concluded with determination.
Taylor Momsen's journey from Gossip Girl to breakout rock star is a testament to her strength and resilience in the face of adversity. Her music continues to be a powerful expression of her creativity and passion in her life.
