interview by JANA LETONJA

Two and a half decades after first melting hearts as Cindy Lou Who in ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’, Taylor Momsen is coming full circle, but this time, she’s bringing the power of rock with her. Her band, The Pretty Reckless, has just unveiled a stunning reimagining of ‘Where Are You Christmas’. Now transformed into a cinematic, electric rock anthem, the track marks the first single off their holiday EP, ‘Taylor Momsen’s Pretty Reckless Christmas’, out digitally since 31st October and physically coming out on 14th November.

full look DSQUARED2
jewellery Taylor’s own

‘Where Are You Christmas’ has been part of your story since childhood. What was it like emotionally stepping back into that song 25 years later?

Honestly, it was surreal. Singing alongside the voice of my five-year-old self felt like standing in two timelines at once. It brought up this flood of emotions. Nostalgia, pride, everything. I could almost feel all the life I’ve lived in the space between those two voices. It was overwhelming in a strangely beautiful way.

How did you approach reimagining such a tender ballad into something distinctly Pretty Reckless?

I approached it the same way I would any Pretty Reckless song – with honesty, intensity, and a commitment to feeling. We took the core emotion and expanded it sonically, with big guitars, cinematic production, atmosphere, and drama. We wanted it to feel like a memory exploding into something powerful and new.

Did revisiting this song bring back specific memories from your time filming ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’?

Absolutely. Being on that set was magical, almost dreamlike. I remember Jim Carrey being so kind and playful, and Ron Howard creating this world that felt larger than life. Revisiting the song brought back flashes of those moments, like sitting in Cindy’s bedroom, standing on the snow-covered streets of Whoville, and feeling the excitement of being a kid on a massive set.

What does ‘Where Are You Christmas’ mean to you now, as an artist and as a person who’s lived so much life since first singing it?

It feels like a bridge between who I was and who I am. As a kid, I didn’t fully understand what I was singing, I was just performing. Now, with everything I’ve lived through – loss, love, music, and chaos – the song hits differently. It has become a meditation on time, innocence, and the evolution of who we are.

coat VEX CLOTHING
dress LAQUAN SMITH via Fwrd
shoes LE SILLA

What inspired the idea of creating a full Pretty Reckless holiday EP?

It started with just this one song. But once we were in the studio, it felt bigger, like there was a whole world to explore. I got really inspired by that feeling, and suddenly it didn’t make sense to stop at one track. We wanted to build something that honoured the nostalgia but also carried the raw emotional weight that defines our music.

Christmas music often leans toward the sentimental. How did you balance that with the grit and edge your fans love?

Christmas is sentimental, but life is complicated. So we leaned into the contrast. We kept the heart, but we also didn’t shy away from the darker, more chaotic emotions that holidays can bring. We let that honesty co-exist.

Was there a particular message or feeling you wanted this EP to capture for listeners this season?

The holidays can be beautiful, but they can also be lonely and emotional. I wanted people to feel seen in all of that.

dress ANIYE RECORDS
rings ROCKFORD COLLECTION
jewellery Taylor’s own

You’ve come such a long way since ‘Light Me Up’. How would you describe the band’s evolution leading up to this moment?

We’ve grown up in every sense. When we made ‘Light Me Up’, we were full of youthful fury. Over time, we’ve gone through real life, losing people we love, surviving grief, and digging deeper into ourselves. Our music has become more honest, more intense, and more expansive. This EP feels like another chapter in that evolution.

dress and tights ANIYE RECORDS
rings ROCKFORD COLLECTION
jewellery Taylor’s own

The Pretty Reckless made history as the first female-led group with seven No. 1 singles. What does that milestone mean to you now, looking back?

I never set out chasing records. I just wanted to make music that felt honest. But to look back and see that we’ve made history, it’s humbling. It’s a testament to the fans and to the power of sticking to your vision.

You’ve always been outspoken about creative freedom and authenticity. What does that mean to you today as an artist in control of her voice and image?

It means everything. Creative freedom is the core of who I am. I’ve learned that if you’re not telling the truth, there’s no point. Authenticity isn’t an aesthetic, it’s a lifestyle. It’s what keeps me grounded.

dress STELLA MCCARTNEY via Fwrd
rings ROCKFORD COLLECTION
jewellery Taylor’s own

You’ve successfully transitioned from child actor to rock icon, a rare and difficult path. What do you think kept you grounded through all of it?

Music saved me. When everything around me seemed chaotic or confusing, music was the constant. It gave me identity, purpose, and a way to process life. And the people closest to me, the ones who see Taylor, not Cindy Lou or the persona, kept me centred. That combination allowed me to find who I really am and hold onto it.

TEAM CREDITS:

talent TAYLOR MOMSEN
photography TYLER PATRICK KENNY
styling LUCA FALCIONI
hair DAVEY MATTHEW WITH at The Only Agency
makeup ANDREW DAHLING at The Only Agency
styling assistants EMILIANO VILLA and LUCIANO GONZALEZ
fashion market TANNER BLAKE JACKSON
production ERICA JAY
studio MATKA
editor TIMOTEJ LETONJA
interview JANA LETONJA
cover design ARTHUR ROELOFFZEN

IN CONVERSATION WITH TAYLOR MOMSEN

IN CONVERSATION WITH JESS KHAN-LEE