23 Jenny Humphrey GIFs from Gossip Girl History
Since the dawn of time, no television character has been quite as beloved, reviled, teased, and tormented as Jennifer Tallulah Humphrey, little sister of Dan “Lonely Boy” Humphrey, daughter of Rufus “Lincoln Hawk” Humphrey, stepdaughter of Lily van der Woodsen, former crush of Nate Archibald and Charles Bass, BFF of Eric van der Woodsen, sworn enemy of Blair Waldorf, fashion designer and protégée of Eleanor Waldorf, former Queen Bee of Constance Billiard School for Girls.
OK, wow — that’s a pretty long list of accomplishments, and Jenny wasn’t even on *Gossip Girl * for all of its six messy, dramatic, glorious seasons. Jenny Humphrey was created by *Gossip Girl * writer Cecily von Ziegesar but flawlessly brought to life by the young actress Taylor Momsen, whose transformation from chirpy goody two-shoes to dark and tortured bad girl made for excellent teen TV. Oh, Little J, you were so fraught with adolescent tension and turmoil — we loved you and hated you at the same time.
Little J doesn’t get the respect she deserves in the *Gossip Girl * canon, so in honor of Taylor’s 23rd birthday, we’re celebrating this iconic character with (some of) her greatest moments.
GIF: Courtesy of GIPHY1/23When she got real about being herself. Rufus would be so proud!
GIF: Courtesy of GIPHY2/23When she made a 180 from fresh-faced, perky Little J to the extensions-wearing, raccoon-eyed badass she became.
GIF: Courtesy of GIPHY3/23When she was just a cute little secondary character who never made any problems on the Upper East Side … Oh wait, that’s not quite true.
GIF: Courtesy of GIPHY4/23When she made Dan meet her at Bergdorf’s for a “fashion emergency.” And Dan went, because he’s the ultimate Nice Guy.
GIF: Courtesy of GIPHY5/23When Dan and Jenny were sibling goals … except for the whole “Dan was Gossip Girl” thing. He basically ruined Jenny’s life over and over.
GIF: Courtesy of GIPHY6/23When she got to fill her closet with all the designer clothes she wanted as the stepdaughter of Lily VDW, ultimate clotheshorse.
GIF: Courtesy of GIPHY7/23When she was a sweet and innocent Baby Blair, headband and all. That eyeliner is serious foreshadowing to her transformation.
GIF: Courtesy of GIPHY8/23When she looked too cute for words in her Constance uniform. (Seriously, what was the uniform there? It was incredibly vague.)
GIF: Courtesy of GIPHY9/23When she got Blair to give her most sage advice about being Queen.
GIF: Courtesy of GIPHY10/23When she overthrew Blair and had all the girls dressing like her at Constance and ruled the roost on the steps of the Met.
GIF: Courtesy of GIPHY11/23When she was the queen of the scheme. On the Upper East Side, that’s really saying something.
GIF: Courtesy of GIPHY12/23When she caught the eye of the adorable Nate … Blair’s ex. (And Serena’s, come to think of it.)
GIF: Courtesy of GIPHY13/23When she made out with Nate in front of EVERYONE. Wait, who *didn’t * kiss Nate?
GIF: Courtesy of GIPHY14/23When her crush on ol’ Archibald *definitely * seemed like a thing that could happen. There are totally Nate/Jenny shippers out there.
GIF: Courtesy of GIPHY15/23When she totally impressed Eleanor Waldorf with her sewing skills.
GIF: Courtesy of GIPHY16/23When her debut collection was ruined … in front of Tim Gunn! (Only on *Gossip Girl, * folks, only on *Gossip Girl. *)
GIF: Courtesy of GIPHY17/23When she fell for the kid from *Air Bud * whose new job was the furthest thing from Air Bud possible.
GIF: Courtesy of GIPHY18/23When she got really vulnerable in front of her friends and family after messing up over and over again.
GIF: Courtesy of GIPHY19/23When she was too emotional for words. This was like, every episode.
GIF: Courtesy of GIPHY20/23When she discovered the majesty and power of a dark, edgy lip. Take that, Serena’s lip gloss and Blair’s reliable reds and berries!
GIF: Courtesy of GIPHY21/23When Taylor Swift totally borrowed her signature look at the Met Gala. “Futuristic Gladiator” or Little J?
GIF: Courtesy of GIPHY22/23When she ran away from DUMBO to front a metal band. Oh wait, that was Taylor Momsen. Well, close enough.
GIF: Courtesy of GIPHY23/23When she and BFF/stepbrother Erik reunited at Dan and Serena’s wedding. Did Jenny design Serena’s dress? No, but she *did * create a line of handbags for Waldorf designs, finally finding her rightful place to reign alongside Blair. You know you love her.
