“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.
- 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