The past weekend was one of true nostalgia for the entertainment world when Miley Cyrus joined Taylor Momsen for an unplanned reunion at the legendary Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood. For fans of both artists’ careers, the meeting was a significant event as it marked a culmination of what were early 2000s moments when both young artists were in the running for a part that would turn into a global superstar.
As a musician and actress, Momsen has made her own unique mark in the entertainment business and decided to post about the reunion with her followers on social media. The images show the two women standing together at the iconic Los Angeles hotel, which has seen many iconic moments and celebrity encounters over the years. Both moms were sincere in their Instagram comments, Momsen revealing her feelings toward her former competitor, writing, “A very heartwarming reconnection…congratulations Miley on..well everything!!!” It was a feeling of mutual respect, which has clearly grown between two women who in years past found themselves in direct competition for the same life-changing opportunity.
This is a reunion of importance for those who recall the casting for Disney Channel’s Hannah Montana. At the time of those initial auditions, both Cyrus and Momsen had been in contention for the lead role that would make a huge impact on Cyrus’s early career. The original show first aired in 2006 and was about a teenager named Miley Stewart, living both as a teen and a pop star as Hannah Montana. It was a cultural phenomenon that made Cyrus an unprecedented star, and one of the most famous faces in the entertainment industry.
Momsen’s career on a different but equally interesting path, while Cyrus eventually got the job which would make her a household name. Instead of following in Disney Channel footsteps, she went on to be a popular cast member as Jenny Humphrey on the popular CW show Gossip Girl, which gave her the opportunity to play some darker, more interesting roles. More importantly, Momsen focused her artistic talent on music and eventually became the lead singer and front-woman of a rock band named The Pretty Reckless. She had changed from an actress to a serious rock star, and that was a conscious attempt to go against the stereotype of a young actress in the entertainment industry.
Years later, Momsen separated herself from the Disney persona, clearly stating that her artistic career was not one she wanted to pursue. Working with The Pretty Reckless has given her critical respect in the rock world and she has found her work to be consistently enjoyable and embraced by a loyal fan base for several albums. The contrast in their guitar riffs and emotionally powerful lyrics is stark and an example of how their careers took a different turn from the pop-pop world of Hannah Montana.
What’s so exciting about this reunion is that both performers were eventually drawn toward their own more independent, rock-influenced musical areas in their later work. In recent years, Cyrus has made a gradual shift towards rock and alternative music, with his albums showing a more sophisticated and grown-up side to his artistry. Her iconic performance of “Heart of Glass” and her work with different rock bands have shown her that she’ll do anything to escape her pop princess persona. This same musical development indicates that though they may have had different beginnings, both women reached the same artistic end.
The Chateau Marmont meeting was “styled” by Alastair McKimm and photographed by Myles Hendricks, which further enhances the stylish look of the documentation of the reunion. The location itself is significant, and the Chateau Marmont has been a place of artistic events and creative connections in Hollywood since its inception. It’s the perfect setting for two artists who have had careers that have dealt with the challenges of stardom while remaining true to their art.
The reunion has garnered a lot of attention online, and it’s been mostly positive, with fans excited about the surprise meeting. The comments section for Momsen’s post was quickly loaded with posts from her followers who had also enjoyed the shows of both performers and were excited by this link between the two of their childhood entertainment. One fan that was really excited wrote, “BRING MILEY TO HER ROCK PHASE AND COLLAB!” It’s a musical duo, and you both can kill it together” sums up the universal wish of many to see these two artists perform together.
A few more followers chimed in, “my childhood in one photo” and “Ok but a Miley x Taylor Momsen collab… childhood truly healed. These are all empathetic reactions from fans who are bound by that performer to their youth and who are pleased to see them cross space and time. The get together appears to be a healing of some type, as two women are reunited who have both faced the pressures and oddities of being exposed to the entertainment industry light.
The Pretty Reckless’s latest album, Dear God, is on tour now and Momson is still performing at a number of venues as part of the Dear God Tour. This professional resurgence is another testament to the reunion, highlighting that both women are still active creatives in their respective musical fields. This meeting, when both Momsen is pushing the envelope on new work and Cyrus is developing her own artistry, seems to occur at a moment of collective self-worth among art peers following remarkably parallel yet different career paths.
The reunion also raises interesting questions about the nature of competition in the entertainment industry and how early professional rivalry can become a lifelong respect and love with the passage of time. From the demands of early success to the trials of building a career and maintaining the integrity of their art, both Cyrus and Momsen have been through it all in Hollywood. That they can sit down together in a true moment of warmth and love is an indication of their personal development and of the wisdom that comes with age and experience.
