By: Chloe Perdue

Picture by Karolina Grabowska from Pexels

When we think about celebrities, we think they couldn’t possibly have the same problems as us. They have plenty of money and Status, they have the perfect life. But what if their life was all a fraud? 

Jennette McCurdy, mostly known for her role as Sam from the early 2000’s Nick Nickelodeon show iCarly, has paved the way for herself in her first book, “I’m Glad My Mom Died.” As odd and almost mean as that title sounds, it has garnered a lot of attention.

Jennette never wanted to act, but it was in fact her mother who would manipulate her into that life. She writes about how her eating disorders and unhealthy attachments to the men that she dated go back to her mother’s reign over her thoughts and feelings, Especially when it came to her looks. Which begs the question: how many other celebrities have gone through this? Was this their dream or someone else’s? 

I interviewed a Wesleyan student about what his impression was for the book, and what he thought about in terms of McCurdy’s growth as a person.

“Initially, I was excited that Jennette McCurdy was stepping back into the spotlight, even for a book deal. I loved her on iCarly as Sam Puckett and, with her glaring absence from the reboot of the show, I was curious as to what she would be doing next. The book was not expected, but I was curious as to what she would be writing about with a title like I’m Glad My Mom Died. I’m all about taking back your own story, especially after years of abuse, gaslighting, and public image. Overall, my thoughts on McCurdy and her memoir are positive, and I’m very happy that she’s receiving as much attention as she is.”

Seeing as there are so many celebrity books talking about their life, what makes this book more different than them?

“Other celebrity books feel like a cash grab, like a story they had someone else write so they could gain even more recognition, fame, and wealth. I know that McCurdy originally toured with the idea as either a comedy routine or a one-woman show–I can’t remember which–before adapting it to a novel, most likely because of how the post-COVID era is shaping up. I’m Glad My Mom Died feels different because is has that weight behind it–the material she uses to establish herself as an expert in her own abuse has already been put to work and strengthened by her prior uses. The importance of her storytelling and detail-work is made more important because of it.”

People highly recommend this book. It is raw and shows a different perspective on what Hollywood has done to young child-stars and the unhealthy impacts that has led them down some murky paths. We have to remember that celebrities are humans too, with complex stories that are just as important to understand and empathize with.