World news and discussion on TalkFuse.
“Even if it might lead to a poisonous leg amputation, I’d literally die for the music”: The Pretty Reckless’ Taylor Momsen on her journey from child actor to AC/DC-approved rock star
Taylor Momsen, frontwoman of The Pretty Reckless, has spoken about her unlikely path from child actor to touring rock star embraced by AC/DC, in an interview with Metal Hammer. She recounts a series of dangerous animal encounters while opening for AC/DC on tour, framing them with dark humour as the price of her commitment to music, and reflects on how far removed her current life is from her early fame as a child performer.
Momsen was bitten by a bat onstage in Seville in May 2024, requiring a two-week course of anti-rabies injections, and was bitten again in April this year by a poisonous spider while on tour with AC/DC in Mexico City. She first became known to the public as a five-year-old actor in the 2000 film How The Grinch Stole Christmas alongside Jim Carrey, and later as a star of the teen drama Gossip Girl, before establishing herself as the lead singer of The Pretty Reckless.
In short
- Former child actor Taylor Momsen transformed her career into rock music through The Pretty Reckless, earning backing from established acts like AC/DC
- She has experienced two animal bite incidents during performances—a bat in 2024 and a poisonous spider in 2026—both whilst touring with AC/DC
- Despite health risks from these encounters, Momsen remains passionately committed to her music career
Explained simply
Taylor Momsen first became known as a child actor, appearing in the film How the Grinch Stole Christmas and later the television drama Gossip Girl. She went on to build a career in music as the lead singer of the rock band The Pretty Reckless.
The band formed in 2009 and plays hard rock, a style built around loud guitars and forceful vocals. In recent years, The Pretty Reckless have toured with AC/DC, one of rock’s best-known bands, bringing Momsen to a much larger stage than her earlier acting work.
Americas Celebrity Entertainment Music World