By Haley Murphy
Despite what "My Super Sweet 16" has told us, most Sweet 16 birthdays are low-key affairs: Dinner with the family, maybe get your driver's license or have a small gathering with friends. I should have known better when I was invited to Taylor Momsen's sixteenth birthday party that she would take it a huge step past the usual celebrations.
When we first walked into the Hiro Ballroom, we were quickly escorted backstage as friends and fans began trickling in. We saw Taylor sitting and her band the Pretty Reckless warming up with an acoustic version of Britney Spears' "...Baby One More Time." Her raspy voice resonated in the room, and I was quite shocked that such a mature sound was coming out of such a tiny body.
Before the interview, Taylor joked about how she refuses to move her own equipment but then followed up with talking about roughing it on tour. Taylor just got off her tour opening for the Veronicas and admitted it was less than glamorous. She said that on tour, she became quite nocturnal and lived the typical tour life in and out of a big van. Although she is currently busy filming the third season of "Gossip Girl," she still makes time to play with her band and wanted to perform with her crew for her big birthday.
Despite her rocker glam look, she was quite sweet and bubbly. Once she hit the stage, I was amazed at not only her voice talent but also her stage presence. With the spotlights moving and a huge "Happy Birthday Taylor" sign illuminated on a projector, I felt like I was in the hottest club in NYC — ot a bad spot for your sixteenth birthday! I nearly had a heart attack as the Gossip Girl crew stood next to me which watching the show. As I watched Chase "Nate" Crawford with Ed "Chuck Bass" Westwick cheer on their cast mate from the VIP section of the venue, I couldn't help but feel like it was somehow my birthday as well.
After Taylor blew out some birthday candles, made some more music and gave the crowd (and me!) some cupcakes, I walked away feeling 16 again. If I were Taylor Momsen, I'd celebrate my birthday every night.