Taylor Momsen recently addressed the topic of gender double standards in the music industry during an interview on Call Her Daddy. The rock artist offered a candid perspective on how she navigates being a woman in a male-dominated field.
When asked about the double standards she has experienced as a woman in rock and music, Momsen explained that she approaches the industry differently than many of her peers. Rather than focusing on gender-based obstacles, she emphasized her commitment to competing on merit alone.
“I’ll be honest. It’s probably an unpopular answer. I get asked a lot what it’s like to be a woman in rock and roll and a woman in music and the double standards. And while yes, it exists, I kind of don’t look at it that way,” Momsen said. “I kind of live in my own world, my own mental bubble. I look at it like music is music, good music is good music, gender doesn’t really matter, and most music’s crap.”
Momsen further elaborated on how gender-based comparisons in the industry can be limiting. Such categorizations prevent a fuller evaluation of talent across the board.
“I want to compete with the best people. The thing with being a woman in the music industry is that you get compared to women in the music industry,” she explained. “There’s a lot of amazing women, which is not a bad thing. However, you’re cutting out an entire sect of musicians and not even putting those two next to each other because of a gender thing.”
Momsen concluded by noting that her perspective on femininity and gender does not influence her artistic pursuits. “It doesn’t affect what I’m doing at all. I own my femininity and I love being a woman most of the time. You just have to look at it like you don’t let it affect what you’re doing.”
Momsen’s pragmatic approach to gender in the music industry reflects her broader philosophy as a musician. She focuses on the quality of the work rather than external categorizations. This mindset has served her well throughout her career with The Pretty Reckless, the rock band she formed in 2009 after transitioning from acting to music.
The Pretty Reckless has achieved remarkable chart success. According to Wikipedia, the band became the first female-fronted band to reach five number-one singles on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs chart. Their debut album, Light Me Up (2010), went Gold and reached No. 1 in the UK. The album established Momsen as a serious rock vocalist from the outset and featured the hit single “Make Me Wanna Die,” which helped propel the band into the mainstream rock scene.
The band’s trajectory has only strengthened over the years. Louder Sound noted that their second album, Going to Hell (2014), was critically acclaimed. It included the chart-topping hit “Heaven Knows,” which topped the Mainstream Rock chart. The album debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200, solidifying The Pretty Reckless as a major force in contemporary rock music.
Most notably, Apple Music documented that The Pretty Reckless became the first female-fronted band to have seven number-one singles on the Mainstream Rock chart. Their 2021 album Death by Rock and Roll extended this record-breaking achievement. This milestone underscores Momsen’s point about competing with the best musicians regardless of gender. Her band’s success speaks for itself on the charts and in the hearts of rock fans worldwide.
Momsen’s career demonstrates that her refusal to be limited by gender categories has not hindered her success. Rather, it has allowed her to focus entirely on creating compelling rock music that resonates with audiences. The Pretty Reckless continues to prove that quality music transcends gender boundaries with multiple platinum certifications and a devoted fanbase. Momsen’s philosophy that “good music is good music” has been validated by her achievements.
