Jim Carrey and Taylor Momsen Reunite 25 Years After ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’: ‘He Was Always Very Kind’

At the recent Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Taylor Momsen offered a heartfelt tribute to Jim Carrey, reuniting with him for the first time in a quarter-century. Speaking with People, the musician explained how watching Carrey’s complete dedication to his role as a child actor profoundly shaped her own artistic path. She recalled him as a kind and protective figure on set, describing the filming of 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas' as a wonderful experience, even with the challenging hours spent in prosthetic makeup.

Momsen, who was just five years old when she played Cindy-Lou Who, emphasized the lasting influence of observing a master performer up close. She noted that witnessing his serious, all-in approach left a powerful, lifelong impression, and she expressed happiness at finally being able to share her gratitude with him in person. On the red carpet, both stars acknowledged the long gap since their last meeting—Carrey remarked, "We haven’t seen each other since 'The Grinch,'" to which Momsen replied, "Yeah, it’s been 25 years. This is insane."

Jim Carrey, a performer celebrated for his physical expressiveness and total immersion in roles, portrayed the holiday-hating Grinch in the 2000 live-action film. The part required a demanding daily makeup routine that often stretched for hours, underscoring his well-known commitment to his craft. This kind of transformative performance has been a consistent feature of his career, which includes critically acclaimed films such as "The Truman Show" and "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind."

While many audiences know Taylor Momsen best from her role as Jenny Humphrey on the hit series "Gossip Girl," her early career was anchored in family films like "Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams" and "Underdog." This makes her subsequent artistic evolution especially notable. In 2010, she made a deliberate choice to exit acting and devote herself fully to music, becoming the lead vocalist for the hard rock group The Pretty Reckless.

Her transition reflects a wider trend of artists moving fluidly between creative fields. As media analyst Dr. Anya Sharma notes, "While many entertainers switch lanes, Momsen’s shift from a network TV star to an acclaimed rock frontwoman stands out as a purposeful and successful act of reinvention—one that prioritizes genuine artistic identity over being typecast." This move has allowed her to build a distinct musical legacy, with The Pretty Reckless achieving multiple number-one singles on the Billboard rock charts, demonstrating that her creative risks have paid off.