Taylor Momsen

Taylor Michel Momsen (born July 26, 1993) is an American actress, musician and model who portrays the character of Jenny Humphrey on the CW television series Gossip Girl and portrayed the role of Cindy Lou Who in How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and fronts the rock band The Pretty Reckless. Taylor Momsen was born in St. Louis, Missouri to a Roman Catholic family. As a little girl she attended Our Lady of Lourdes School and was raised Catholic. She began acting professionally at three years of age with a national commercial for Shake 'N' Bake. She was then cast in The Prophet's Game. In 2000, Momsen played the role of Cindy Lou Who in How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Two years later she was cast in the motion picture: Hansel and Gretel, in which she played Gretel. Momsen's career came to a halt for over three years until she received the lead role in the never-aired WB series Misconceptions. In 2002, Momsen recorded "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and "One Small Voice" featuring Myra and Camille Winbush for School's Out! Christmas. Momsen appeared in the 2006 film Saving Shiloh and also the 2007 Walt Disney Pictures film Underdog, as Molly. She auditioned for the title role in Hannah Montana, and was in the top three, but the role was instead awarded to Miley Cyrus.In 2008 Taylor Momsen starred as Jennifer in the movie "Paranoid Park", directed by Gus Van Sant. As of 2007 she plays the character of Jenny Humphrey in The CW television series Gossip Girl, which is based on the book series by Cecily von Ziegesar.