The actress and singer opens up about her abrupt exit from Gossip Girl, revealing she quietly walked away without telling anyone on set.

Taylor Momsen Reflects on Her Quiet Exit

November 5, 2025: Taylor Momsen, best known for her role as Jenny Humphrey on the hit CW series Gossip Girl, recently shared new details about her sudden departure from the show — admitting she didn’t inform her castmates before leaving. The actress and musician revealed that her exit wasn’t planned in a dramatic fashion but rather happened spontaneously and quietly.

During a recent interview, Momsen confessed, “I kind of just Irish-dipped,” referring to the popular slang term for leaving an event without saying goodbye. The 32-year-old explained that after seasons of juggling her acting career and growing success as the lead singer of her rock band The Pretty Reckless, she simply decided it was time to move on.

Leaving the Upper East Side Behind

Momsen first joined Gossip Girl at just 14 years old, portraying the stylish and rebellious Jenny Humphrey — a role that helped launch her into stardom. However, by Season 4, fans began to notice her diminishing screen time and eventual disappearance from the show.

Reflecting on that period, Momsen said her priorities had shifted. “It wasn’t like I hated acting or the people — it just wasn’t where my heart was anymore,” she explained. “Music was calling me, and I needed to follow that.”

Her decision to leave mid-season reportedly surprised many of her co-stars, including Blake Lively and Leighton Meester, who were unaware that Momsen had no plans to return to filming.

Pursuing Her Music Career

Following her exit, Momsen focused fully on her music career with The Pretty Reckless, which has since become a major success in the rock scene. The band has released multiple chart-topping albums, with hits like Make Me Wanna Die and Heaven Knows solidifying Momsen as a powerful frontwoman.

Speaking about the transition, she added, “It felt like the right move at the time. I wanted to live my own life and create something authentic. Acting was great, but rock and roll gave me freedom.”

Looking Back Without Regrets

Despite leaving Gossip Girl without notice, Momsen holds no regrets about her decision. “Everyone’s journey is different,” she said. “I needed to take that leap for myself. It was scary, but it was worth it.”

Fans continue to celebrate both sides of her career — from her time as Jenny Humphrey to her rise as a rock icon. And while Gossip Girl has since been rebooted, Momsen’s impact on the original series remains unforgettable.