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Taylor Momsen Details Contract Fight Behind Her 'Gossip Girl' Exit

She describes a restrictive network deal that made leaving arduous, prompting producers to write her out to let her tour.

Overview

  • In a new Call Her Daddy interview, Momsen says choosing music over acting was simple for her, but getting released from her series obligations was not.
  • She describes a 'lock-and-key' agreement with The CW and Warner Bros. and claims executives initially refused to free her from the contract.
  • Showrunners Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage agreed to remove her character so she could tour with The Pretty Reckless, though she remained barred from other acting work.
  • Momsen says she left without alerting many castmates, calling it an 'Irish dip,' with coverage differing on whether her departure landed after three seasons or during Season 4.
  • She recounts intense paparazzi scrutiny that made her feel 'watched and stalked' as a major strain and notes she later returned for a brief appearance in the 2012 finale.