The Pretty Reckless delivered their rock & roll version of a track Momsen sang as Cindy Lou Who in Ron Howard’s 2000 film How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Taylor Momsen and her band, the Pretty Reckless, slapped some power chords on a tender holiday tune with their rendition of “Where Are You, Christmas?” on Jimmy Kimmel Live last night (Dec. 12).
The original song is a piano-driven power ballad co-written by Mariah Carey for How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Ron Howard’s 2000 live-action adaptation of the Dr. Seuss classic starring Jim Carey and Momsen. In just her second film role, the young actress played Cindy Lou Who, who sang part of the tune in the film. (Faith Hill also recorded a version for the film’s soundtrack.)
Fittingly, the Pretty Reckless’ performance of “Where Are You, Christmas?” on Kimmel began with some archival audio of a young Momsen crooning the opening lines of the song over soft piano. Not long after present-day Momsen took over, the Pretty Reckless kicked into full gear, delivering the yuletide gem with blazing guitar riffs and a honking sax solo to boot.
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Back in October, the Pretty Reckless released a new EP of holiday tunes, Taylor Momsen‘s Pretty Reckless Christmas, which includes their rendition of “Where Are You, Christmas?” The seven-track project otherwise largely featured all original tunes written by Momsen and Pretty Reckless guitarist Ben Phillips.
Taylor Momsen’s Pretty Reckless Christmas marks the band’s first release in several years following their last LP, 2021’s Death by Rock and Roll. In August, the Pretty Reckless shared a new non-Christmas single, “For I Am Death.” Momsen also took the stage at the 2025 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony to sing “Rusty Cage” and “Black Hole Sun” with inductees Soundgarden.
