Jim Carrey, ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’ child star meetup

Taylor Momsen and Jim Carrey just shared a special full-circle moment, reuniting for the first time in 25 years at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, a milestone that brought back memories from their time filming How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

Momsen, who played the lovable Cindy-Lou Who at age five, reflected on how closely she watched Carrey work when they filmed the holiday classic. 

Speaking with PEOPLE, she said his dedication shaped her early ideas about being an artist. 

“I just love that he was very protective of me,” she shared, adding that he was “always very kind.” She recalled the shoot fondly, saying the whole experience of getting to know him, “even in all the makeup”, was unforgettable.

The reunion was just as meaningful now that she’s an adult. 

“As a young person watching an artist at work and taking their craft so seriously, that left a really powerful, lasting impact on me as an adult now. And I’m excited to be able to tell him that as a grownup,” she said.

Carrey seemed equally amazed by how much time had passed. 

On the red carpet, he said, “We haven’t seen each other since ‘The Grinch.’” Momsen quickly added, “Yeah, it’s been 25 years. This is insane.”

Carrey starred as the green, Christmas-hating title character, while Momsen became a familiar face to audiences before eventually moving away from acting. 

She went on to appear in Gossip Girl as Jenny Humphrey, plus roles in Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams, Underdog, and Paranoid Park. 

In 2010, she decided to step back from acting and focus on her career in music as the lead singer of The Pretty Reckless.

Their reunion was a nostalgic moment for fans of the holiday film, bridging childhood memories with the present, a reminder of how one on-set bond continues to matter more than two decades later.