Taylor Momsen calls Jim Carrey’s influence powerful as they reunite 25 years after the Grinch

Taylor Momsen has reflected on the lasting impact Jim Carrey had on her life and career, as the pair reunited for the first time in 25 years since working together on How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

The singer and former actress, who starred as Cindy Lou Who in the beloved 2000 Christmas film, met Carrey again at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in Los Angeles on Saturday. For Momsen, now the lead singer of the rock band The Pretty Reckless, the reunion was emotional and filled with gratitude.

“I just love that he was very protective of me,” she told People before performing with the surviving members of Soundgarden. “He was always very kind. And just the entire experience of filming Grinch and getting to know him so well, even in all the makeup, was just wonderful.”

Momsen, who was seven years old when she appeared in the film, said working alongside Carrey gave her an early understanding of what it meant to take one’s craft seriously. “As a young person watching an artist at work and taking their craft so seriously, that left a really powerful, lasting impact on me as an adult now,” she said. “I’m excited to be able to tell him that as a grownup.”

The two greeted each other warmly on the red carpet, with Carrey smiling as he told reporters, “We haven’t seen each other since The Grinch.” Momsen laughed and replied, “Yeah, it’s been 25 years. This is insane.”

Carrey’s performance as the Grinch remains one of his most iconic roles, requiring hours of prosthetic makeup and immense physical energy to bring Dr Seuss’s character to life. For Momsen, who played the small but pivotal role of the kind-hearted Cindy Lou Who, watching Carrey’s transformation on set left an impression that shaped her own artistic outlook.

“He took his craft so seriously,” she said. “At the time, I didn’t really understand it, but now I do. It was inspiring.”

Momsen’s respect for Carrey’s work ethic was matched by her admiration for his kindness. She recalled that, despite being buried under green makeup and heavy costumes, he made sure everyone on set felt comfortable. “He made everyone feel safe and included,” she said. “That’s something I’ve carried with me throughout my life.”

The reunion came on a big night for Momsen, who performed as part of Soundgarden’s induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The performance underscored how far she has come since her days in Whoville. After finding early fame as a child actor, Momsen moved into television with Gossip Girl before ultimately stepping away from acting to pursue music full-time. Her band, The Pretty Reckless, has since become one of the most successful female-fronted rock acts of the last decade.

But despite her evolution into a rock star, Momsen has often acknowledged that her career began with The Grinch. She has previously spoken about being teased at school as “Grinch Girl,” yet now looks back on the experience with pride. “It was a beautiful film, and I’m proud to have been part of it,” she said in a past interview.

The reunion photos of Momsen and Carrey quickly spread across social media, delighting fans of the film and stirring nostalgia for one of cinema’s most cherished holiday classics.

For Momsen, the night was more than just a walk down memory lane. It was an opportunity to thank the man who taught her, even at seven years old, that true artistry comes from commitment and heart. “Watching Jim work showed me what dedication really means,” she said. “He’ll always have a special place in my heart.”