What you need to know
Taylor Momsen and Jim Carrey’s bond extends far beyond Whoville.
Momsen, who reunited with her “How the Grinch Christmas” co-star for the first time in 25 years at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Nov. 8, shared with PEOPLE her favorite memory of working with the comedian on set.
“To be honest, I have a lot,” the 32-year-old musician recalls. “I loved that he was so protective of me. He was always so kind. And the whole experience of filming the Grinch and getting to know him so well, even with the makeup on, was really great.”
Carrey, 63, played the titular Christmas-hating Dr. Seuss character in the 2000 holiday film, but Momsen remembers being only 5 years old when she stepped into the shoes of little Cindy Lou Who for the film.
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“When I was young, I saw artists working and taking their craft seriously, and that left a really powerful and lasting impact on me now as an adult,” she explains. “And I’m excited to be able to tell him that as an adult.”
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After all, the Gossip Girl alum recently admitted that she didn’t even know what Carrie looked like when they spent time together on set. But even though his face was always covered with facial prosthetics and green yak fur, she stressed that he was never afraid as a child.
“For me, he was always at the gym, he was always wearing makeup. He was so protective of me, so kind, so funny, so full of life, so great,” Momsen explained to Alex Cooper on the Nov. 5 episode of “Call Her Daddy.” “But the funny thing is, I had no idea who Jim Carrey was, because he was doing prosthetics much earlier, so I had never met him.”
“I didn’t know who Jim was until the premiere, so someone had to point him out to me and say, ‘That’s Jim,'” she added. “And I said, ‘Oh, Jim.’
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Why does Momsen think the film will stand the test of time after all these years? As she told Today in December 2020, “I think people love ‘The Grinch’ simply because the core of the story is so sweet, so heartwarming, and has such a good message.”
She continued, “I think it’s a great thing to be a part of because it touches your heart no matter how old you are.”
“I think the fact that it comes back every year is something to look forward to,” she added. “And I think it brings happiness and joy to those who see it.”
Meanwhile, Carrey told Extra in December 2024 that he was “very happy” with the idea that “The Grinch” would be “one of those Yule logs that people go to” as the holiday season approaches. “I’m really happy when it comes out every year,” he exclaimed.
