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Taylor Momsen Reveals Contract Fight Behind Her Gossip Girl Exit

Her podcast describes a 'lock-and-key' contract that forced showrunners to write her out.

Overview

  • In a Call Her Daddy interview released Nov. 5, Momsen said she sought to leave by season 2 to focus on The Pretty Reckless, calling the situation "killing me."
  • She described being bound by a CW/Warner Bros. "lock-and-key" deal that made exiting difficult and prevented her from taking other acting jobs.
  • According to Momsen, Warner Bros. executives labeled her "ungrateful," and she recalls the studio chief saying, "F— Taylor Momsen. No f—ing way."
  • She said creators Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage agreed to write Jenny Humphrey out so she could tour, even though her contract remained in effect.
  • Momsen added that she "Irish-dipped" without alerting most co-stars and that paparazzi pressure left her feeling watched and stalked.