Jennette McCurdy’s memoir I’m Glad My Mom Died tells her emotional, gut-wrenching life story. One which is unexpected coming from someone who brought so much laughter and excitement to children who watched McCurdy on her hit Nickelodeon shows.
TW: Mentions of abuse and eating disorders.
The Dark Side of Child Stardom
I’m Glad My Mom Died does an excellent job of showing how child stardom is not always as exciting and fun as it may seem.
Upon reading the book you’ll learn about Jennette McCurdy’s not-so-glamorous home life. For McCurdy, abuse and controlling behaviour from her mother overshadowed her experience of child stardom. Her mother forced her into the entertainment industry, while McCurdy felt obliged to perform well to please her parent.
Forcing her into the entertainment industry was not the only thing McCurdy suffered at the hands of her mother. The abuse her mother subjected her to includes, but is not limited to, controlling her meals, shaving her legs and showering her.
My mom emotionally, mentally and physically abused me in ways that will forever impact me
At most times, the memoir is difficult to read and even more difficult to believe. How could someone who appears so happy and hyper on Nickelodeon be suffering so much behind the scenes? Even iCarly co-star Miranda Cosgrove said that she didn’t know what McCurdy was going through at home.
McCurdy’s mother’s obsession with what the actress ate led to McCurdy displaying disordered eating behaviours and developing eating disorders from the age of 11. McCurdy was still grappling with that until recently and, as she states at the end of her book, the abuse she experienced is something that will forever impact her.
While working on Nickelodeon shows, McCurdy also cites negative experiences with someone she calls “The Creator”. Being forced into the entertainment industry subjected McCurdy to further harm on top of what she already experienced at the hands of her mother.
We’re Glad McCurdy’s Healing
The book was released on the August 9, 2022 and just a week later it is already a New York Times Best Seller!
Initially, the name caused controversy. Death and parents put together are very touchy subjects. However, when reading McCurdy’s book, it is impossible not to sympathise with her. Although I wouldn’t be glad if either of my parents died, McCurdy shows us exactly why the same was not applicable to her.
Judging by the book sales, it seems that many support McCurdy and want a glimpse into the star’s life.
In an interview with the Hollywood Reporter, McCurdy mentions that she didn’t begin writing her memoir until she had gone through several years of therapy. She goes on to say that processing what she has been through had to be done before she could approach her experiences in a creative way.
To further understand McCurdy’s life story, you should definitely read her memoir. Perhaps even listen to the audiobook version to gain an even more personal insight.
