Rock singer Taylor Momsen, the former actress turned frontwoman of The Pretty Reckless, was hospitalized while on tour with legendary rock band AC/DC after being bitten by a poisonous spider in Mexico. Momsen, who also played Jenny Humphrey on Gossip Girl and Cindy Lou Who in How the Grinch Stole Christmas, documented the frightening ordeal on Instagram, posting graphic photos of the bite on her leg, a spreading rash, and her subsequent hospital stay. “So it wouldn’t be a AC/DC tour if I didn’t get bit,” Momsen joked in her first post on April 8, 2026. But what began as a humorous anecdote quickly turned serious as the spider’s venom did a number on her system, requiring medical intervention and an overnight stay in the emergency room. Despite the health scare, Momsen insisted that the show must go on, and she performed as scheduled in Mexico City, thanking doctors and fans alike. The tour is set to continue, including a stop in Chicago at the Riviera Theatre in July 2026.

The Bite A Spider Takes a Chunk Out of the Rock Star

Taylor Momsen, 31, has been touring as a supporting act for AC/DC on their PWR UP tour. The tour has taken the band across the globe, and in early April, they were in Mexico. It was there, in a hotel room or perhaps backstage, that a spider decided to make a meal out of the rock singer.

In her initial Instagram post on April 8, Momsen wrote, “This time a massive spider decided to take a chunk out of me and its venom did a number on my system, so had to have the wonderful doctors in Mexico come and deliver quite the shot before the show last night.” The post included a photo of a doctor patching up the bite on her leg and administering a shot in her arm.

Momsen added a touch of dark humor to the situation, writing, “Add it to the list! Spider woman? Bat girl? When do my superpowers kick in? That’s what I want to know.” Her fans appreciated the levity, but the situation was about to get more serious.

The Venom Does a Number on Her System

At first, Momsen seemed to be recovering quickly. She said she was doing fine and planned to perform that night. But days later, things changed. On Tuesday, Momsen posted another update, this time with a photo of her leg showing a large, angry rash. “Hospital today, show tomorrow,” she wrote. “Poisonous spiders are no bueno, but the show must go on, see you tomorrow Mexico City.”

The rash was a clear sign that the spider’s venom was continuing to affect her body. The bite had not healed. Instead, the reaction was spreading. What had seemed like a minor annoyance was becoming a medical emergency.

Hours later, Momsen posted from a hospital bed. “Or I just spend the night in the hospital,” she wrote, with a picture of herself lying down, looking tired but determined. “Thank you to the amazing doctors who, well, they know.” The post confirmed that she had to stay overnight in the emergency room for observation and treatment.

The Spider Unknown Species, Serious Reaction

The original article does not specify what type of spider bit Momsen. Mexico is home to several venomous spider species, including the brown recluse and various species of wandering spiders. According to the Illinois Department of Health, yellow sac spiders are the most common species found indoors in the United States. They may instinctively bite when touched, though bites are not typical. Reactions to sac spider bites can include sharp pain, localized redness, and swelling that typically dissipates within two hours.

Brown recluse spiders are more common in the southwestern part of North America. They are most active at night and rest in hidden locations such as inside furniture, cardboard boxes, wall voids, and wood framing. Brown recluse bites are usually painless, but they can result in serious complications, including disfiguring wounds. Symptoms generally include redness, swelling, and a burning sensation developing within one hour. If the skin around the bite becomes purplish, necrosis or other infections are likely. If necrosis occurs, it usually does so within four days of the bite. Systemic involvement, including fever, nausea, and cramps, rarely develops but can occur.

Momsen’s symptoms the spreading rash, the need for hospitalization, and the administration of antivenom or other treatments suggest that she may have been bitten by a brown recluse or a similar venomous spider. The fact that she spent the night in the emergency room indicates that doctors were taking the situation seriously.

The Show Goes On Rock and Roll Resilience

Despite the hospitalization, Momsen was determined to perform. “Hospital today, show tomorrow,” she had promised her fans. And she kept that promise. After being discharged, she took the stage in Mexico City, delivering a performance that her fans will not soon forget.

Later, she posted another update, this one showing her on stage. “I’ll update you on my health another day, tonight was for all of you, Mexico you were amazing.” The post was a testament to her professionalism and her dedication to her fans. The show must go on, and for Taylor Momsen, it did.

A representative for Momsen did not immediately respond to NBC Chicago’s request for comment. But her Instagram posts told the story clearly. She was bitten, she was hospitalized, she recovered, and she performed. That is rock and roll.

From Child Star to Rock Frontwoman

Taylor Momsen is perhaps best known to the general public for her acting career. She played Cindy Lou Who in the 2000 film How the Grinch Stole Christmas, opposite Jim Carrey. She later played Jenny Humphrey on the hit CW series Gossip Girl, a role she held from 2007 to 2012.

But acting was never her true passion. Music was. In 2009, she formed The Pretty Reckless, a rock band that has since released several successful albums, including Light Me Up, Going to Hell, Who You Selling For, and Death by Rock and Roll. The band has toured extensively, opening for acts like Guns N’ Roses and, currently, AC/DC.

Momsen has fully embraced her identity as a rock singer. She is known for her powerful voice, her dark lyrics, and her intense stage presence. The spider bite is just the latest in a long line of tour mishaps, as she joked in her post. “So it wouldn’t be a AC/DC tour if I didn’t get bit.”

The Tour Continuing to the United States

The AC/DC PWR UP tour is set to continue, including stops in the United States this summer. According to The Pretty Reckless website, the band will stop in Chicago at the Riviera Theatre in July 2026. Other stops include Madison, Wisconsin, and Notre Dame, Indiana.

Momsen’s health scare in Mexico has not derailed the tour. She is expected to be fully recovered by the time the band reaches the United States. Fans who have tickets to the upcoming shows can expect to see Momsen and The Pretty Reckless deliver the same high energy performances they are known for.

Fan Reactions and Support

Momsen’s fans flooded her Instagram posts with messages of support and concern. “Take care of yourself, Taylor!” one fan wrote. “We need you healthy and rocking.” Another fan joked, “Spider woman indeed. Get well soon!” The outpouring of love and concern was a testament to the deep connection that Momsen has built with her audience over nearly two decades in the entertainment industry.

The original article notes that a representative for Momsen did not immediately respond to a request for comment. That is not unusual. In the immediate aftermath of a health scare, the focus is on recovery, not on media inquiries.

A Reminder of the Dangers of Venomous Spiders

Momsen’s spider bite is a reminder that venomous spiders are a real danger, especially in warmer climates like Mexico. Travelers and residents alike should be aware of the risks and take precautions. Shake out shoes before putting them on. Check bedding before climbing into bed. Be cautious when reaching into dark corners or storage areas.

If bitten by a spider, it is important to clean the wound, apply a cold compress, and seek medical attention if symptoms develop. Signs of a serious reaction include spreading redness, swelling, pain, fever, nausea, and the formation of a blister or ulcer. In some cases, antivenom may be required.

Momsen did the right thing by seeking medical attention. Her willingness to share her experience on Instagram may help others recognize the signs of a serious spider bite and seek help sooner.

Holding Onto Humor in the Face of Adversity

Throughout the ordeal, Momsen maintained her sense of humor. “When do my superpowers kick in?” she asked. “That’s what I want to know.” That humor is a survival mechanism. It is a way of taking control of a situation that is frightening and unpredictable. By joking about becoming Spider Woman or Bat Girl, Momsen reminded herself and her fans that she is not defined by the bite. She is defined by her resilience, her talent, and her ability to keep going no matter what.

The show must go on. And for Taylor Momsen, it always does.

Conclusion A Spider Bite, A Hospital Stay, and a Rock Show

Taylor Momsen, the former child star turned rock frontwoman, was hospitalized with a poisonous spider bite while on tour with AC/DC in Mexico. She shared the ordeal with her fans on Instagram, posting graphic photos of the bite, the spreading rash, and her hospital bed. Despite the health scare, she insisted that the show must go on, and she performed in Mexico City as scheduled.

Momsen is expected to make a full recovery. The tour will continue, including a stop in Chicago at the Riviera Theatre in July 2026. Fans can rest assured that their favorite rock singer is tough, resilient, and ready to rock.

As Momsen herself might say, spider bites are no bueno. But neither is missing a show. And Taylor Momsen does not miss shows.