Book Review - I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jenette McCurdy

Title: I’m Glad My Mom Died
Series: -
Author: Jenette McCurdy
 
Description: Jenette 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 Jenette 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, e-mail and all her income.
 
In “I’m Glad My Mom Died”, Jenette recounts all this in unflinching detail. Just as she chronicles what happens when the dream family comes true. Cast in a new Nickelodeon series called “iCarly”, she is thrust into fame. Though mom is ecstatic, Jenette is riddled with anxiety, shame and self-loathing, which manifests in eating disorders, addiction and a series of unhealthy relationships. After her mom dies of cancer, Jenette embarks on a recovery and decides for the first time in her life what she really wants.
 
Review: When Jenette McCurdy was two years old, her mother Debra was diagnosed with breast cancer. From then on, Jenette felt she had to take care of her mother and did everything her mother wanted, to make her happy. Her mother’s dream was to make Jenette famous, and so Jenette was forced into acting.
 
To fit into the perfect picture of Debra and Hollywood, Jenette’s mother talked her into an eating disorder. At 14, Jenette had to start counting calories from her mother to stay young. As a result, according to Debra, she would get roles more often. In addition, her mother did not want Jenette to grow up, because then she could no longer dictate to her what she wanted. Jenette had to be weighed five times a day and on Sundays she measured her upper legs with a tape measure.
 
Debra was a control fread and still wiped Jenette’s butt until she was 10 years old. Furthermore, she regularly performed medical check-ups to make sure Jenette din not have cancer. Debra did this by feeling Jenette’s breasts and vagina. In addition, Debra showered Jenette up until she was 16 years old and did the same to Jenette’s youngest brother Scott.
 
In her book, Jenette writes that she never wanted to act and wanted to quit doing so. She told this to her mother before she was cast for the hit series “iCarly”, but she became hysterical. Jenette continued acting. When she finally stars in the show, Jenette was severely exploited. She had to wear bikinis and was forced to kiss. Her self-worth diminished. In contrast, her bond with co-star Miranda Cosgrove has always been good and she has been incredibly supportive of Jenette.  
 
While starring on the spin-off series “Sam & Kat”, Jenette was comparing herself to counterpart Ariane Grande. She was jealous of her career and youth and at first didn’t even know she was going to be a part of the show. She thought the spin-off was just about her. And Grande was paid more than Jenette for the same amount of acting.
 
When Debra died in 2013, Jenette was only 21 years old. Soon after Jenette suffered a relapse of her eating disorder and later alcohol addiction. She still adhered strictly to her mother’s rules in order to keep her legacy alive. She went to therapy several times and had to face her life as it was. Jenette had been abused by her mother and is now living with the consequences. And where people think the title of the book is tasteless and disrespectful, Jenette McCurdy things very differently. She claims that people who have been abuse by their parents understand this title. And people with a sense of humor understand the title. This book is meant for them.
 
I’m not a big memoir reader, but I believe this should be read by everyone. It touched me, grabbed me and I felt heartbroken about her story. The way McCurdy writes her story is so honest, raw and heartbreaking. I read this while listening to the audiobook, which is narrated by McCurdy herself. Would recommend, it’s such a beautiful book.
 
Rating: 4,5/ 5