Cindy Lou from The Grinch is now a huge rock star in major career shift

03 December 2023 , 16:30

645     0

Cindy Lou melted viewers' hearts with her determination to prove the Grinch had a heart (Image: Melinda Sue Gordon/Imagine Ent/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock)

How The Grinch Stole Christmas is a festive classic - but next time you watch it, you may want to pay a little more attention.

The film - featuring A-listers including Jim Carrey and Christine Baranski - follows a furry green villain-come-hero whose plan to ruin Christmas is derailed by a sweet little girl named Cindy Lou. Famed for her flamboyant hairdo and angelic voice, Cindy ignores the warnings from her fellow residents of Whoville - determined to prove the Grinch does have a heart, after all.

But viewers were shocked to discover the actress, who was only seven-years-old when filming the Grinch, is now a famous rock star.

The character is played by Taylor Momsen, who currently fronts the rock group The Pretty Reckless. She also starred in the cult-favourite TV show Gossip Girl, where she played angst teen Jenny Humphrey.

However, the star gave up her acting career to focus solely on her music. Some of her top hits include Just Tonight, Make Me Wanna Die, and Heaven Knows.

'I don't want children staying up late at weekends - I really need adult time'

Taylor Momsen also featured in the popular TV show Gossip Girl - before quitting acting for good (Getty Images)

Despite her penchant for heavy eyeliner and Rock 'n' Roll, Momsen still looks back at her child-acting career with fondness. In a 2020 interview with Today, she said the film actually sparked her interest in music.

"I'm in my bedroom singing ‘Where Are You Christmas' with the flashlight," she said. "I mean, essentially, that was my first music video. So I always get a kick out of that. And I remember thinking that was a really fun scene to film."

Momsen also spoke about working alongside Hollywood legend Jim Carrey, describing him as 'incomparable. "I remember him being so kind, so concerned, but so methodical with what he was doing," she explained.

"Even at that young of an age, I remember watching him and going, 'I'm watching an artist right now at work.'"

What is your favourite Christmas film? Let us know in the comments below

Liam Gilliver