Podcast Summary: Call Her Daddy – Taylor Momsen: The Grinch, Gossip Girl, & Grief

Episode Date: November 5, 2025
Host: Alex Cooper
Guest: Taylor Momsen

Episode Overview

In this riveting and deeply personal episode, Alex Cooper sits down with Taylor Momsen—actress, musician, and frontwoman of The Pretty Reckless. The conversation explores Taylor's remarkable transition from child star (notably as Cindy Lou Who in The Grinch and Jenny Humphrey on Gossip Girl) to a bona fide rock musician, delving into fame, grief, personal growth, and the battle for artistic authenticity. Through honest storytelling and self-reflection, Taylor opens up about the pressures of fame, childhood trauma, devastating personal losses, and the healing power of music.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Life as a Night Owl & Life of a Musician (02:33–03:57)

• Taylor describes her creative process and nocturnal lifestyle:
  • Being on tour influenced her sleep schedule; she's most creative at night.
  • "My brain just isn't at its highest functioning quality until, like, seven PM." (03:17)

2. The Grinch, Cindy Lou Who, & Christmas EP (04:01–07:18)

• Origin of ‘Where Are You, Christmas?’ rock cover and holiday EP:
  • Fan requests inspired her to do a rock version; initially resisted for years.
  • Lockdown during COVID provided context and opportunity to embrace her past.
  • Writing an original Christmas record provided her with needed context and substance.
  • "[Grinch] is, like, so positive for me... all those experiences of making this film was wonderful." (08:16)

3. Child Stardom, Bullying, & Family (07:18–13:33)

• Childhood memories:

  • Taylor started in modeling at age 2; acting debut at 3.
  • The Grinch was shot when she was around 5–6; fond, vivid memories of set and “Who School.”
  • Despite on-set joy, returning to school brought teasing and isolation.
  • Notable school anecdote: Catholic school strictness (skirt measurements, outgrowing uniforms).

• Protective Family & Early Industry Experiences:

  • Parents didn’t come from Hollywood background; supportive yet perhaps unaware of all pressures.

4. Gossip Girl Era & Identity Struggles (13:33–21:18; 22:17–32:00)

• Gossip Girl casting and fame:

  • Felt forced into the role at 12–13, despite loving her first ‘art crowd’ in Maryland.
  • Early fame led to identity crisis – difficult to separate herself from her character, Jenny Humphrey.
  • "I need to be my own person." (19:33)
  • Sudden and relentless paparazzi attention at an early age; invasion of privacy.

• Tabloid Exploitation & Defensiveness:

  • Media painted her as a ‘wild child’ for things like style and stage outfits.
  • "There was this kind of hatred of what I was doing from the world... that kind of press... was so invasive." (32:22)
  • Experiences of the paparazzi publishing explicit photos and negative headlines.

• Music as Therapy:

  • Channeled pain and defensiveness into songwriting; music became a healing outlet.

5. Breaking Free: Leaving Gossip Girl (40:14–47:59)

• Struggle to leave:

  • Realized that acting wasn’t her passion; fought to exit her Warner Brothers contract.
  • Thankful the producers supported writing her out:
    • “They wrote me out of the show so I could go on tour and be in a band.” (46:33)

• On family and support:

  • Family was “supportive by necessity,” as Taylor’s determination was relentless.

6. Reinventing as The Pretty Reckless & Battling Stereotypes (49:28–53:29)

• Rock music career challenges:

  • Faced skepticism (a teen soap star fronting a rock band) and gender bias in the industry.
  • Embraced shocking people with her image as an act of authenticity and humor.
  • “If you brought to me a 14-year-old fronted rock band with a chick who was on a soap opera—I'd roll my eyes too.” (41:37)

• Naming the band:

  • Wanted a ‘the’ name; ended up with ‘The Pretty Reckless’ due to trademark issues.

7. Touring with Heroes & The Double Blow of Grief (57:11–71:33)

• Dream gig with Soundgarden:

  • “To get the call that they’re asking us to open for them was surreal... I could not picture a moment in my life where I was more happy than that moment.” (57:47)

• Devastating losses:

  • Chris Cornell died the night Soundgarden’s tour ended, followed a year later by her friend and producer Kato in a motorcycle accident.
  • These tragedies plunged her into isolation and heavy substance abuse.
  • "I essentially gave up on life. When everything I love is dead, what's the fucking point?" (64:21)
  • The band and music provided a lifeline, but it took a conscious decision to continue living.

• Healing through music:

  • Struggled to even listen to music after losses, but slowly reintroduced herself to it, starting with The Beatles.
  • Writing Death by Rock and Roll marked the turning point.

• Raw reflection on grief:

  • “It's kind of like when it happens, you're sliced down the middle, you're bleeding everywhere... As time passes, that wound heals, and you're left with a massive scar... I'm proud to have those scars.” (70:33)

8. Womanhood, The Industry, and Personal Philosophy (75:09–78:43)

• On being a woman in rock:
  • Defies being forced into the ‘woman in music’ box—sees herself as a musician, period.
  • Wishes to compete with "the best people" regardless of gender.
  • “Gender doesn't really matter, and most music's crap. I want to compete with the best people.” (75:19)

9. Relationships, Boundaries, & Personal Life (78:47–83:50)

• On dating:

  • Desires deep, trustworthy connections; need humor and shared musical taste.
  • “[Partners] have to have the same musical taste or that’s just not gonna work.” (80:01)

• Betrayals & First Tattoo:

  • Candid about being cheated on and commemorating the heartbreak by getting her only tattoo, a tiny star.

10. Full Circle: Christmas EP & Embracing the Past (84:18–87:39)

• On embracing Cindy Lou Who and The Grinch:

  • Initially resisted association; now proud and moved by the film’s legacy.
  • “Seeing how much joy it brings people makes me really happy to be a part of something that brings that much happiness... How very Cindy Lou Who of me!”

• Christmas EP:

  • Features her as both present-day rocker and six-year-old artist; emotional listening experience for Taylor.

11. Looking Ahead (87:39–89:43)

• Upcoming:
  • Excited for new tour dates with AC/DC.
  • Focused on releasing new music and continuing what now feels like a true passion.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

“I am Cindy Lou Who... I'm still that girl.”
—Taylor Momsen (08:29)

“I'm not good at being someone else's tool... I need to be my own person.”
—Taylor Momsen (19:33)

“I realized very quickly that the only way to overcome that kind of hate... is to shut it out and just do it.”
—Taylor Momsen (42:59)

“It's kind of like when it happens, you're sliced down the middle, you're bleeding everywhere... As time passes, that wound heals, and you're left with a massive scar. And that scar... I'm proud to have those scars.”
—Taylor Momsen (70:33)

“Good music is good music. Gender doesn't really matter, and most music's crap. I want to compete with the best people.”
—Taylor Momsen (75:19)

“I appreciate you being so open today... Let people be who the fuck they are. End of story. Goodbye.”
—Alex Cooper (89:04)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Taylor’s creative routine and being a ‘night owl’: 02:33–03:57
• The Grinch, fan requests, and Christmas EP origin: 04:01–07:18
• Childhood stardom and bullying: 08:33–13:33
• Gossip Girl, fame, & loss of autonomy: 18:18–21:18, 22:17–32:00
• Industry exploitation/tabloid press: 32:02–34:02
• Deciding to leave Gossip Girl: 40:14–47:59
• Building The Pretty Reckless, skepticism, and style choices: 49:28–53:29
• Soundgarden Tour & losses of Chris Cornell and Kato: 57:11–71:33
• Grief, healing, and writing Death by Rock and Roll: 66:34–71:53
• Gender in the music industry: 75:09–78:43
• Relationship boundaries and only tattoo: 78:47–83:50
• Christmas EP and embracing childhood legacy: 84:18–87:39
• Looking ahead, passion for music, and career happiness: 87:39–89:43

Tone & Atmosphere

Candid, self-deprecating, sometimes irreverent but always honest and reflective. Taylor’s humor, resilience, and authenticity shine through as she processes pain, triumph, and personal transformation. Alex Cooper’s interviewing style is supportive and empathetic, fostering a safe space for deep and genuine conversation.

For listeners seeking an unfiltered look at fame, art, self-acceptance, and the ongoing battle to define oneself on one's own terms, this episode offers equal parts inspiration, validation, and raw humanity.