Taylor Momsen, star of the US TV series 'Gossip' and lead singer with rock band, 'The Pretty Reckless' was resting in her hotel suite this afternoon after falling victim to a 'happy slapping' incident in London's Leicester Square, in the heart of the city's theatreland.
Early reports indicate that Momsen had been accompanied by a friend and was passing the Odeon cinema, when a young girl, described as 'of mixed race' ran past the young star and slapped her around the face.
Although eye witness accounts vary wildly, most seem to agree that Momsen was slapped, as opposed to punched.
"It was a pretty hefty slap," tourist Arnold Muhren from the Netherlands told reporters. "It knocked the girl's head right around and almost knocked her off her feet. I have no clue what it was all about, but hey, this is London. Anything can, and probably will happen here if you hang around long enough."
At this point in time, the motive for the attack remains unclear, but one youngster explained that it was probably motivated by Momsen's portrayal of herself as a knife carrying hard core rock chick on Good Morning on daytime TV with Richard and Judy.
"I seen her on This Morning with Richard and Judy," a young girl told reporters. "Looked like she just staggered out of a club, innit. She finks she's all dat and more and comes across all hard core, so if you axing me she deserved a good slap innit. I hope she comes out again and somebody else slaps da bitch."
Police investigating the incident are waiting to study footage when it appears eventually on You Tube.
A person claiming to be Taylor Momsen's representative told the press:
"Taylor's upset and a little tearful about the incident, and says that if London punks want to play it rough, then so be it. In future, she'll only venture out onto the streets of London armed with two knives, a machete, and a .357 Magnum."
More as we get it.
