Taylor Momsen in 2000’sHow the Grinch Stole Christmas(L) and in Los Angeles on Feb. 4, 2023.Photo:Universal/courtesy Everett Collection; Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty

Taylor Momsen Recalls Being ‘Made Fun of Relentlessly’ by Schoolmates over ‘Grinch’ Role

Universal/courtesy Everett Collection; Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty

Taylor Momsensays she was teased in school about herHow the Grinch Stole Christmasrole.

“Making friends was always challenging for me,” said the actress-turned-musician. “First of all,The Grinchchanged 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,’ " Momsen added. “Not even the character name [Cindy Lou Who], just Grinch girl. I got used to it, but it was alienating.”

After one of his co-hosts said “jealousy” may have been the culprit, Badgley, 36, joked, “No, no, it was because those young children are very confident in who they are, and they’re just seeing reality.”

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Taylor Momsen and Jim Carrey inHow the Grinch Stole Christmas(2000).Melinda Sue Gordon/Imagine Ent/Kobal/Shutterstock

Taylor Momsen, Jim Carrey The How The Grinch Stole Christmas - Grinch - 2000

Melinda Sue Gordon/Imagine Ent/Kobal/Shutterstock

Laughing at her one-time onscreen big brother’s quip, Momsen — who largely retired from acting after starring as Jenny Humphrey inGossip Girl,and has been the frontwoman for rock bandThe Pretty Recklesssince 2009—recalled how she found her footing socially in middle school.

“That was the first [full] year where I was in school, and I had the opportunity to try and actually make friends,” she said. “I put a band together. It was my first band, my middle-school band, a garage band. We never could settle on a name. But we would jam after school, and that was always fun. I was singing, playing guitar, writing.”

“So as soon as I started to find my little groove in school as a normal kid,Gossip Girlcame aboutand I got uprooted to New York. The band fell apart,” Momsen said, joking, “We were gonna be huge. It was a real bummer.”

“And I had to kind of restart it all again in New York, which didn’t take me that long,” she added, referring to The Pretty Reckless.

Penn Badgley and Taylor Momsen.PODCRUSHED/Instagram

Penn Badgley Teases Catch-Up with TV Sister Taylor Momsen for His Podcast

PODCRUSHED/Instagram

In a December 2020 interview withToday, Momsen reflected on her experience playing Cindy Lou Who inHow the Grinch Stole Christmasand revealed some little-known facts about the film as it celebrated its 20th anniversary.

The singer, who was 7 years old when she starred in the movie, said shefelt lucky to have been part of a filmthat has been able to resonate with people for so many years.

“I think that people loveThe Grinchjust simply because the core of the story is so sweet and it’s so heartwarming and it has such a good message,” Momsen said. “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,” she added.

New episodes ofPodcrushedair Wednesdays on podcast-streaming platforms.

source: people.com