I'm Glad My Mom Died

I read this entire book in a day. Jennette is an unbelievably good writer, and captures the main points of her life that have led her to where she is today very well. It is very sad, but an important read for those of us who grew up watching her on Nickelodeon. Child actors often suffer more than we know or think, as they have little to no control of their lives, and basically no one to trust if their parent(s) are not truly supporting them. This book takes you behind the scenes of Jennette's life from being forced into acting as a six year old, to growing up with an overbearing, abusive, manipulative mother, to beginning her healing journey only a few years ago. I will not give any spoilers at all, but will say that this extremely well written, captivating, depressing, funny (in rather twisted ways), and illuminating. I highly recommend this book - I know I will be reading it again!

I have never watched Jeanette McCurdy in anything. I read this book after a friend recommended it. I could not put this book down. It disturbed me beyond belief and I found it so inspiring at how Jeanette was able to overcome what she endured. I'd like to think that her story is come crazy one off, however I think it's probably more common than any of us realise. She is so incredibly brave to share her story.

I can’t say that I loved this book because 95% of it is terribly things being done to a child without any control over their actions.But it was written very well. Jennette has a distinct voice, a sharp wit, and an incredible amount of resilience, given her story and how she is doing now. I pray for her continued happiness and strength.

My kids grew up watching the crazy antics of Samantha Puckett on “iCarly “and “Sam & Cat” – Nickelodeon shows that were popular in the 2010s when my children were the target market for such entertainment. Jeanette is a natural at embodying the eccentric Sam. It is a testament to her acting ability that no one knew that she was secretly enduring terrible pressure and pain in her personal life.Although very successful in her career, Jeanette never wanted to be an actress, much less famous. It was the dream of her narcissistic, manipulative, and abusive mother. Jeanette, the devoted and loyal daughter, embraced these goals never wanting to disappoint or upset “Nonny Mommy.” This came at a high price.Jeanette outlines growing up in a “hoarder house” with brothers, grandparents, and dysfunctional parents all living under one roof. Her life involved acting classes/auditions, religious guilt, being taught and constantly encouraged to engage in eating disorders while dealing with the pressure of financially supporting her family from a young age. Not her dream, but totally her responsibility. It is no wonder that there is fallout: addictions, unhealthy relationships, sexual hang-ups, misguided loyalty, stunted growth, anxiety, and secrets. With the recent release of the documentary, “All Quiet On Set,” this memoir adds to the uncomfortable and painful glimpse into the child star experience.Jeanette is truly an exceptional writer – her words are raw, deeply honest, and laugh out loud funny, completely capturing the absurdity of the situations she finds herself in, whether by choice or circumstance. She lays it all out there as she struggles to break free from the abusive bonds. Ultimately, it is very satisfying to see her walk away from acting and walk toward personal growth and redemption.

It is a very thoughtful, honest, serious, and revealing autobiography by a sweet, child actress who was stuck in a bad situation. It's NOT funny, as reviewers claimed it was. But it gives insight into the reality of being a child actress and the impact it had upon her life and family.

This book was eye opening, relatable in some ways to my own life and just upsetting at some parts. It’s so sad to see what child actresses and actors go through growing up. I recommend this book!

Jennette McCurdy, child Star of Kids shows iCarly, and Sam and Cat is a gifted, storyteller. Now 31, Jennette hasn’t written another self-help workbook or how-to book. She reveals her domineering, maniacal mother and their dynamics with hilarity, pathos, and agony.“Naked” is the best way to describe how our author depicts her fascinating journey. She was not without a plethora of trauma:• Waking at 4am for her first day at age 6 as background on the show X-files• Growing up in a hoarder household• The impact of being a Mormon• Stardom• Emancipating herself from the bondage of an eating disorder instigated by mom• Her struggle to develop into a womanThe reader is sucked into Jennette’s very entertaining, pungently real, and disturbing world. “How many times can you pratfall over a carpet or sell a line you don’t believe in before your soul dies?”Debra McCurdy was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer when Jennette was two. Jennette’s two purposes growing up were; 1) to be the closest person in the world to her mother and 2) keeping her mother alive. Every birthday Jennette wished her mother to live another year believing her mother’s life was in her little hands.Debra loved to recount her cancer story to the family. “She goes so far as to MC a weekly rewatch of a home video she made shortly after learning of her diagnosis. ‘All right, everyone, shhhh. Let’s be quiet. Let’s watch and be grateful for where Mommy is now’ “Mom says.” Jennette reveals the fragility of her Mom’s life became the center of hers.It was drilled into Jennette’s consciousness that her grandparents killed her mother’s dream of a life of fame and fortune as an actress. Therefore, mom was hell-bent on giving the life her parents wouldn’t let her have to “Net”, Jennette’s nickname. When she asked Jennette if she wanted to be “mommy’s little actress,” there was only one right answer. “Yes, mommy.”If you’re struggling with a love/hate relationship with mom, need validation on how heroic you are for your independence from mom, or just want to read a terrific memoir, this is a must-read.

It was a really good read, sad but good. She went through a lot at a young age.

Crecí con icarly y leer su autobiografía fue un gran abrir de ojos, la otra cara de la fama es muy fuerte y también, darte cuenta que todos somos humanos, idealizaba a las estrellas de vivir perfectamente, y leer este tipo de biografías te ayudar a dejar de compararte con personas de la fama

O título chamou minha atenção , mas o conteúdo não me decepcionou. A biografia da autora é escrita com muita honestidade e transparência , além de senso de humor. Ela faz um relato detalhado sobre os bastidores da vida da uma atriz mirim, além de descrever sua dinâmica familiar , mostrando como sua mãe ocupou o centro dos seus anos de infância e adolescência.

Very well written book. Finished it in a day! Many thanks to Jennette for sharing this intimate story with the world!

Jennette McCurdy unveils the poignant narrative of her challenging childhood. The book, echoing the title of her one-woman performance, serves as a poignant reflection on the tumultuous years marked by what the author characterizes as enduring emotional abuse inflicted by her demanding and emotionally unstable stage mom, Debra.Hailing from Los Angeles, McCurdy, alongside three older brothers, navigated a home dominated by her mother's control. At the tender age of 3, her mother faced a diagnosis of breast cancer, a battle she initially survived but one that would ultimately claim her life when the author was 21. McCurdy courageously lays bare the intervening years, delving into the depths of how "my mom emotionally, mentally, and physically abused me in ways that will forever impact me."Debra, driven by an unrelenting desire to mold her only daughter into "Mommy's little actress," orchestrated auditions for McCurdy starting at the tender age of 6. As the author matured and secured acting roles, she found herself caught in a relentless pursuit to impress her mother, who, in turn, grew increasingly fixated on her daughter's physical appearance. The narrative unfolds to reveal a mother who, with a cruel perfectionist demeanor, subjected McCurdy to extreme measures—tinting her eyelashes, whitening her teeth, enforcing strict calorie restrictions, and conducting invasive examinations during her teenage years.As McCurdy naturally sought independence and distance from her mother, her burgeoning celebrity status exposed her to the perils of eating disorders, alcohol addiction, self-loathing, and tumultuous relationships. Throughout the memoir, McCurdy candidly portrays Debra's abusive behavior patterns, showcasing a woman prone to rage triggered by everything from crooked eyeliner to spilled milk. Despite the cruelty, the author approaches her deeply flawed mother with a sense of compassion.Towards the conclusion, McCurdy shares a heart-wrenching secret unveiled by her father in adulthood. While she didn't emerge unscathed from her tumultuous childhood, McCurdy transforms her harrowing experience into a powerful stage act, achieving a catharsis that brings solace to her mind, body, and acting career.The memoir unfolds as a heartbreaking account of an emotionally battered child, narrated with captivating candor and grace, showcasing McCurdy's resilience and ability to find healing through her artistic expression.