Rock Star Taylor Momsen Faces Medical Emergency After Spider Attack
Taylor Momsen, the lead singer of The Pretty Reckless, has been hospitalized following a serious encounter with a venomous spider while on tour with legendary rock band AC/DC in Mexico. The 32-year-old musician shared disturbing images of her injured leg, which displayed severe swelling and inflammation from ankle to knee after what she described as a spider taking "a massive chunk" out of her.
Tour Interrupted by Venomous Bite
The incident occurred just before a scheduled performance, forcing Momsen to receive emergency medical treatment from doctors in Mexico. Despite receiving an immediate anti-venom shot, her condition worsened significantly, necessitating a trip to the emergency room. "Hospital today, show tomorrow," Momsen wrote on Instagram, demonstrating her determination to continue performing despite the painful ordeal. "Poisonous spiders are NO BUENO but the show must go on."
Her medical situation escalated rapidly, with the singer confirming just twelve hours later that she had spent the entire night under close medical supervision. She posted additional images showing her with an ice pack on her head and her leg still visibly inflamed, thanking the "amazing doctors" for their care during this frightening health crisis.
Second Wild Animal Encounter in Two Years
This spider bite represents the second time in recent years that Momsen has suffered an animal attack while performing. In May 2024, during an AC/DC concert in Spain, a bat latched onto her leg during a live performance. At the time, Momsen remained remarkably calm on stage, joking that she "must really be a witch" as stagehands worked to remove the creature.
Only after the performance did she discover the bat had actually bitten her thigh, requiring a two-week course of rabies vaccinations. "In the moment I was performing and had no idea until the incredible crowd kept screaming and pointing," she recalled. "He was cute, but yes he bit me... so rabies shots for the next two weeks."
From Child Star to Rock Frontwoman
Momsen's journey to rock stardom began much earlier in her career. At just six years old, she gained fame playing Cindy Lou Who in the 2000 film How the Grinch Stole Christmas alongside Jim Carrey. She later transitioned to television, portraying Jenny Humphrey in the popular series Gossip Girl from 2007 onward.
Despite her early acting success, Momsen faced challenges with her childhood fame. "Every time I would start a new school or go somewhere else, I don't even think the kids knew my name," she revealed in a 2023 podcast interview. "I was just 'Grinch Girl.' Not even the character name, just 'Grinch Girl.' I got used to it, but it was alienating."
Musical Evolution and Current Tour
Momsen formed The Pretty Reckless in 2009, achieving breakthrough success with hits like Make Me Wanna Die and Heaven Knows. The band has been touring as support for AC/DC for several years, establishing themselves as a formidable presence in the modern rock scene.
The singer recently reconnected with her cinematic past, releasing a new version of Where Are You Christmas, her signature song from The Grinch soundtrack. She also reunited with former co-star Jim Carrey for the first time in 25 years at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, where she praised his protective nature during their filming experience.
Currently, Momsen focuses exclusively on her music career, touring worldwide with bandmates Ben Phillips (guitar), Mark Damon (bass), and Jamie Perkins (drums). Her latest medical emergency has not deterred her commitment to performing, though it has added another dramatic chapter to her already eventful touring history with AC/DC.
