#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER #1 INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER A heartbreaking and hilarious memoir by iCarly and Sam & Cat star Jennette McCurdy about her struggles as a former child actor—including eating disorders, addiction, and a complicated relationship with her overbearing mother—and how she retook control of her life. Jennette McCurdy was six years old when she had her first acting audition. Her mothers dream was for her only daughter to become a star, and Jennette would do anything to make her mother happy. So she went along with what Mom called “calorie restriction,” eating little and weighing herself five times a day. She endured extensive at-home makeovers while Mom chided, “Your eyelashes are invisible, okay? You think Dakota Fanning doesnt tint hers?” She was even showered by Mom until age sixteen while sharing her diaries, email, and all her income. In Im Glad My Mom Died, Jennette recounts all this in unflinching detail—just as she chronicles what happens when the dream finally comes true. Cast in a new Nickelodeon series called iCarly, she is thrust into fame. Though Mom is ecstatic, emailing fan club moderators and getting on a first-name basis with the paparazzi (“Hi Gale!”), Jennette is riddled with anxiety, shame, and self-loathing, which manifest into eating disorders, addiction, and a series of unhealthy relationships. These issues only get worse when, soon after taking the lead in the iCarly spinoff Sam & Cat alongside Ariana Grande, her mother dies of cancer. Finally, after discovering therapy and quitting acting, Jennette embarks on recovery and decides for the first time in her life what she really wants. Told with refreshing candor and dark humor, Im Glad My Mom Died is an inspiring story of resilience, independence, and the joy of shampooing your own hair.
I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy is a poignant and powerful memoir that delves into the complexities of familial relationships and the devastating impact of childhood trauma.
McCurdy, known for her role as Sam Puckett in the popular Nickelodeon sitcom iCarly, recounts her tumultuous upbringing with a narcissistic and emotionally abusive mother. She vividly portrays the physical, emotional, and psychological abuse she endured at the hands of her mother, leaving readers with a profound sense of empathy and outrage.
McCurdy's writing is raw, honest, and unflinching as she explores the lasting effects of her mother's abuse on her life. She delves into the depths of her pain, recounting incidents of manipulation, neglect, and verbal and emotional abuse that shaped her childhood and adolescence.
Despite the darkness that pervades much of the narrative, I'm Glad My Mom Died is ultimately a story of resilience and triumph. McCurdy's resilience shines through as she recounts her journey of healing, self-discovery, and finding her own voice. She empowers readers to confront their own traumas and find the strength to break free from the shackles of the past.
This book is a must-read for anyone who has experienced childhood trauma or familial abuse. McCurdy's story serves as a reminder of the profound impact that abuse can have on an individual's life, but it also offers a beacon of hope and inspiration for those seeking healing and liberation.
