Credit: Universal PicturesTaylor Momsen is finally returning to Whoville, the world of the Grinch!
The singer and former actor, who famously played young Cindy Lou Who in How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000), is releasing a new version of the iconic song “Where Are You Christmas?”, the emotional holiday ballad she originally performed in the classic film.
Now, with her rock band The Pretty Reckless, Momsen’s take on the song trades the gentle festive melody for total grunge. The cover adds a raw edge to one of the most recognizable modern Christmas songs, giving it a heavier sound while keeping the sentimental core intact.
The updated version also features Momsen “duetting” with her seven-year-old self via, of course, archival vocals. Check it out below:
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In the 2000 film, Momsen’s performance as Cindy Lou Who helped give the story its heart — and made the song an instant holiday classic. Two decades later, she’s revisiting it from a completely new perspective, merging nostalgia with the grungy tone her music is known for.
“Where Are You Christmas?” was originally written by written by Mariah Carey, James Horner, and Will Jennings for the 2000 film, which famously starred Jim Carrey as the Grinch. An accompanying single version of the song was performed by singer Faith Hill.
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The timing is fitting, as How the Grinch Stole Christmas continues to be rediscovered each year through streaming and theatrical re-releases. And with rumors of a Grinch sequel forever circulating, Momsen’s return to the beloved song will undoubtedly spark a renewed fan interest in a potential sequel.
As for Jim Carrey, he previously said he’d consider returning to the role under different circumstances — through motion capture rather than the heavy prosthetics he wore for the original film, which he described in a 2024 interview as an “excruciating process”. Of course, Carrey is no stranger to mo-cap, having played Ebenezer Scrooge in the 3D-animated movie adaptation, Disney’s A Christmas Carol (2009).
Whether or not a sequel to The Grinch happens, Momsen’s version of “Where Are You Christmas?” offers a full-circle moment for both the actress and fans who grew up with the movie. It’s a reminder that even 25 years later, Whoville still has a place in pop culture.
“Taylor Momsen’s Pretty Reckless Christmas,’’ a brand-new holiday EP featuring 4 original songs and 2 Grinch classics, arrives October 31.
Are you a fan of The Grinch? Would you like to see Taylor Momsen and Jim Carrey reunite for a sequel? What do you think of the new track? Let us know your thoughts down below!