When How the Grinch Stole Christmas hit theaters in 2000, it became an instant holiday classic, largely due to the iconic performances of its cast.
Jim Carrey's unforgettable portrayal of the Grinch remains a standout, but one performance that often flies under the radar is that of Taylor Momsen as Cindy Lou Who.
The young actress, who was just seven years old at the time, has since reflected on her time filming the movie — and it’s clear that the experience left a lasting impression on her.
Why Didn't Cindy Lou Have a Prosthetic Nose?
Momsen’s role as the sweet, innocent Cindy Lou was memorable, but there was one key difference between her character and the rest of the Whoville residents — she didn’t have to wear prosthetics.
While every other actor in the film sported the signature Who nose and facial features, Momsen’s age meant she didn’t need the full makeup, per The Mirror.
As she explained during an appearance on The Today Show: “I do remember having a lot of fun on that set. I mean the prosthetics for example, all the Whos wore prosthetics but I was too young to actually wear the prosthetics, so they wrote a line into the film of, 'She hasn't even grown into her nose yet.' So, they just put a little blush on my nose."
Cindy Lou didn't have a prosthetic nose. Credit: Universal/Getty
However, while Momsen avoided the nose prosthetics, she couldn’t escape the rest of the Whoville costume experience.
She recalled: “I remember it was the first time I'd ever worn a wig in my life. Putting all my hair into the bobby pins and into the wig cap and the big wig every day.”
She also had her first encounter with fake eyelashes and teeth. “I had the fake teeth and I remember with the fake teeth, I hated the taste of the glue that went in... and so I wouldn't take them out once I put them in and I would eat with them and everything.”
Aside from the makeup and costumes, Momsen and her fellow cast members underwent extensive training to portray the acrobatic Whos.
“We had to learn how to do stunts so we could move like the inhabitants of Whoville did in the book,” she said. She fondly remembered the training sessions, which she affectionately called "Who School."
She added: “I had to learn all the safety protocols and how to fall down a trap door without getting hurt. I remember that as like 'Who Bootcamp'. It was a ball.
All the stunts I loved. It was such an amazing thing I got to be a part of that."
Taylor Momsen reunited with Jim Carrey recently. Credit: Maya Dehlin Spach / Getty
Behind the Scenes: Jim Carrey’s Influence
Despite her young age, Momsen formed a lasting bond with her co-star Jim Carrey.
While Carrey’s portrayal of the Grinch was entirely covered in makeup and prosthetics, Momsen remembers him as a warm, protective figure, per PEOPLE.
Reuniting with Carrey at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in November 2023, Momsen recalled fondly: “I have a lot [of memories], honestly. I just love that he was very protective of me.
"He was always very kind. And just the entire experience of filming Grinch and getting to know him so well, even in all the makeup, was just wonderful.”
Momsen, who was just five years old at the time of filming, shared that she had no idea what Carrey looked like until the premiere.
“I didn’t know who Jim was until the premiere and someone had to point him out to me and go, ‘That’s Jim,’” she laughed. “And I went, ‘Oh, Jim.’”
“To me, he was always Jim and he was always in makeup,” she explained. “He was very protective of me, very kind, super funny, super animated, absolutely awesome.”