(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Taylor Momsen says she was weird and shy when she was growing up.

The 17-year-old actress shot to fame playing edgy teenager Jenny Humphrey in US series Gossip Girl. She is also the lead singer of rock band The Pretty Reckless, and has become renowned for her skimpy outfits.

Taylor describes her style as stripper chic, and is rarely seen without her long blonde hair extensions, thick black eyeliner, thigh high stockings and eight-inch heels. Despite her extroverted style and public persona, Taylor insists she was an outcast at school, with no friends or confidence.

I havent lived a normal life and even though I did go to school I was in and out. I had like, two friends growing up, but now my band is like my family, she told British newspaper The Daily Mirror.

I didnt have the chance to go to school and be normal. I was always kind of the weird kid who was in movies and I was very shy. And when I was at elementary school in Missouri I used to wear knee-high socks and got made fun of all the time, now Im famous for my thigh-highs. Ironic.

The Pretty Reckless recently released their debut album Light Me Up to rave reviews. Taylor is thrilled she is finally getting recognition as a singer because it gives her the chance to show the world her true personality, instead of everyone assuming she is just like her Gossip Girl character.

Well Im not my character, Im an actress and Im a completely different person to Jenny, Taylor explained. You see me on TV every week and I look the same, so fans think they know me and my life. But its not my life, my life is very, very different.

I mean its dark and twisty and whatever people might say about the record its all, Oh shes crazy but they dont mean it in a negative way. Yes, I have a personality. (C) Cover Media