I'm Glad My Mom Died

Jennette McCurdy

Aug 2022 · Simon and Schuster · Narrated by Jennette McCurdy

About this audiobook

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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 mother’s 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 doesn’t tint hers?” She was even showered by Mom until age sixteen while sharing her diaries, email, and all her income.

In I’m 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, I’m Glad My Mom Died is an inspiring story of resilience, independence, and the joy of shampooing your own hair.

Ratings and reviews

As much as I appreciate and respect the author for sharing her story, I have to admit this book is not living up to my hopes . I'm a little bit more than halfway through( chapter 66) and I find myself becoming annoyed listening to this book. Unfortunately it is voiced by the Arthur herself. She rushes through and doesn't have very much emotion while reading. The flow of the story is choppy and severely lacking in detail. The farther into the book I go the more cynical she becomes and just ends up hating everything which is doing nothing but giving me the eye rolls. Honestly don't even think I'll finish the book and if I do, I'll probably have to force myself through it.

I liked the book. It was somewhat relatable and nice to hear someone else has experienced similar things. Money doesn't mean anything, trauma and drama will happen to anyone. The ending left me a little unfulfilled but I like the closing line and realization she had about her mother. The eating disorder mentions were tough for me to sit through so if you're sensitive and easily triggered skip this book maybe.

This was good in the beginning but got a little weird. it got graphic toward the middle and end so watch out for those parts if you wish. it's comforting knowing she went through the same religious experiences and struggles with family not going to church, as I did and still do. it's nice to know that I'm not the only one who can't get their family to go to church. I wonder the real reason why she stopped going?

About the author

Jennette McCurdy starred in Nickelodeon’s hit show iCarly and its spin-off, Sam & Cat, as well as in the Netflix series Between. In 2017, she quit acting and began pursuing writing/directing. Her films have been featured in the Florida Film Festival, the Salute Your Shorts Film Festival, Short of the Week, and elsewhere. Her essays have appeared in HuffPost and The Wall Street Journal. Her one-woman show I’m Glad My Mom Died had two sold-out runs at the Lyric Hyperion Theatre and Hudson Theatre in Los Angeles. She hosts a podcast called Empty Inside, which has topped Apple’s charts and features guests speaking about uncomfortable topics. She lives in Los Angeles.