Taylor Momsen’s recent tour with AC/DC took a startling turn when a venomous spider sunk its fangs into her leg. The bite, described as a “massive chunk” taken out of her skin, unleashed a potent venom that demanded immediate medical attention before she could take the stage in Mexico.
Momsen documented the ordeal on Instagram, sharing a graphic image of her leg swollen and inflamed from ankle to knee. She wryly questioned if this was simply par for the course on an AC/DC tour, adding to a growing list of unexpected incidents. “Spider woman? Batgirl?” she mused, referencing a previous, equally bizarre encounter.
The initial treatment, a shot administered by Mexican doctors, proved insufficient. The reaction worsened, forcing Momsen into the emergency room. Despite the setback, her commitment to the tour remained unwavering. “Hospital today, show tomorrow,” she declared, determined to perform for her fans.
Just twelve hours later, she revealed she’d spent the night under medical supervision, expressing gratitude to the dedicated doctors who cared for her. Photos showed her with an ice pack on her head and her leg still visibly inflamed, a testament to the spider’s potent venom.
This isn’t the first time Momsen has faced an unusual animal encounter on tour. In May 2024, while performing in Spain, a bat became unexpectedly attached to her, leading to a round of rabies shots. She initially joked about being a “witch” as stagehands carefully removed the creature.
However, the humor masked a genuine bite. Fans had frantically pointed out the bat clinging to her leg during the performance, and she later discovered it had broken the skin. “He was cute, but yes he bit me…so rabies shots for the next two weeks,” she shared with her followers.
Momsen’s journey to rock stardom began far from the stage. At six years old, she captivated audiences as Cindy Lou Who in the 2000 film *How the Grinch Stole Christmas*. She continued acting, appearing in films like *Spy Kids 2* and *Underdog*.
Her career took a dramatic turn in 2007 when she landed the role of Jenny Humphrey, “Little J,” in the hit series *Gossip Girl*. The role marked a transformation from a wholesome child star to an edgy, emo-inspired rock chic, foreshadowing her future musical path.
She recently reflected on the challenges of her early fame, revealing she was often simply known as “Grinch Girl” and subjected to relentless teasing. Despite the initial alienation, she’s now embraced that part of her past, even releasing a new version of her song “Where Are You Christmas” from *The Grinch*.
A recent reunion with Jim Carrey, her co-star from *The Grinch*, at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony offered a poignant moment of connection. Momsen spoke of Carrey’s protectiveness and kindness during filming, and the lasting impact he had on her as a young artist.
Today, Taylor Momsen is fully dedicated to music as the frontwoman of The Pretty Reckless, touring relentlessly with guitarist Ben Phillips, bassist Mark Damon, and drummer Jamie Perkins. Her story is a compelling blend of childhood stardom, unexpected animal encounters, and unwavering dedication to her craft.
