Taylor Momsen has revealed that leaving Gossip Girl was far more complicated than fans realized. Speaking on Wednesday’s episode of the Call Her Daddy podcast (Nov. 5, 2025), the former actress and current lead singer of The Pretty Reckless explained that while the decision to walk away was personally easy, breaking free from her “lock-and-key” contract with CW and Warner Bros. was a long struggle. Momsen said she eventually convinced the show’s writers to help her leave the series — ultimately “Irish dipping” off the set without formal goodbyes.
Main Details
During her conversation with host Alex Cooper, Taylor Momsen opened up about portraying Jenny Humphrey for four of Gossip Girl’s six seasons. She recalled feeling creatively trapped, saying, “I knew I had to leave, but getting out of a contract was not easy.”
By Season 2, she had already started her rock band The Pretty Reckless and realized her passion lay in music, not acting. Despite her growing success on the hit CW show, Momsen described years of frustration trying to negotiate an exit, facing backlash from executives who labeled her “ungrateful.”
“The head of Warner Brothers said, ‘F—k Taylor Momsen. No f—king way,’” she recalled, describing the pushback she received when attempting to break free.
Quotes and Reactions
Momsen credited showrunners Stephanie Savage and Josh Schwartz for supporting her decision even when the studio would not. “They couldn’t release me from the contract, but they could write me out,” she said. “They did that for me, and I’ll always be grateful.”
Asked if she told castmates, Momsen admitted she “just Irish dipped,” meaning she quietly disappeared after her character’s exit. Her final scene — Jenny leaving New York to live with her mother — marked her last appearance until the series finale.
Impact and Industry Analysis
Momsen’s story sheds light on how rigid TV contracts can affect young actors in long-running series. Her decision to leave a top-rated CW show at its peak illustrates the growing conversation around artist autonomy and creative burnout in Hollywood.
After departing Gossip Girl, Momsen focused full-time on The Pretty Reckless, achieving chart-topping success with hits like “Heaven Knows” and “Make Me Wanna Die.”
What’s Next
Following her candid remarks, fans and entertainment insiders have praised Momsen’s honesty about industry struggles. Her full interview on Call Her Daddy is now streaming on SiriusXM and YouTube, where she discusses her transition from child actor to rock frontwoman.
Sources
TheWrap – “Taylor Momsen ‘Irish Dipped’ Out of ‘Gossip Girl’ After CW, Warner Bros. Refused to Let Her Leave”
Call Her Daddy Podcast (SiriusXM, Nov. 5, 2025)
Yahoo Entertainment
