Taylor Momsen brought a familiar voice to an unexpected setting on November 8, performing the U.S. national anthem before the Cincinnati Bengals faced the Atlanta Falcons in Madrid. But while her stripped-down rendition caught viewers’ attention, many fans were just as surprised to recognize the singer from her earlier acting career.
The Pretty Reckless frontwoman performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” alongside guitarist Ben Phillips at the NFL Madrid Game, which aired on NFL Network. The league later shared a video of the performance on Instagram, captioning the post, “Time to get this game started 👏.”
Fans Recognize Taylor Momsen From Gossip Girl and The Grinch
The performance prompted a wave of reactions from viewers who remembered Momsen’s television and film roles. Some immediately associated her with Jenny Humphrey from Gossip Girl, while others recognized her as Cindy Lou Who from How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
“Jenny from Gossip Girl? What are you doing here 😂,” one viewer joked in the comments.
Another played along with the show’s signature narration style, writing, “Spotted: Little Humphrey singing the national anthem in madrid. How patriotic of her. Where will we see her next? Keep your eyes peeled. Xoxo, Gossip Girl.”
A third fan referenced her Christmas movie character, commenting, “Cindy Lou?! Shouldn’t you be helping decorate for Christmas??”
Not every reaction focused on her past roles. One viewer praised the musical performance itself, writing, “Great simple, stripped down version. Sung and played well. That’s all it requires.”
From Child Actor to Rock Frontwoman
Momsen first became widely recognized as a child actor before shifting her attention toward music. She has been the lead singer of The Pretty Reckless since the band formed in 2009, building a career that has taken her from television sets to rock stages.
Her appearance in Madrid was not her first NFL performance this season. Earlier, she joined Soundgarden for a halftime set during the Seattle Seahawks’ home opener against the New England Patriots. Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready performed the national anthem before that game, while Momsen took the stage with Soundgarden at halftime.
Momsen’s Continued Connection to Soundgarden
Momsen has performed with Soundgarden on several occasions since the death of the band’s original singer, Chris Cornell, in 2017.
She joined the group at the 2019 I Am the Highway: A Tribute to Chris Cornell benefit concert. Later, she performed “Rusty Cage” and supported Brandi Carlile on “Black Hole Sun” alongside the band during its Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction.
Her latest NFL appearance added another memorable performance to a career that has evolved considerably since her days as a child actor. For many viewers, however, seeing her sing the national anthem in Madrid was also an unexpected reminder of the characters they first knew her for.
