I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy Book Cover

Jennette McCurdy’s I’m Glad My Mom Died is not your typical celebrity memoir — it’s a raw, sharp, and emotionally charged account of a former child star’s journey through trauma, fame, and ultimately, self-liberation.

McCurdy takes readers behind the scenes of her early life, beginning with her mother’s obsession with making Jennette a star. From as young as six, Jennette was pushed into acting, enduring invasive “makeovers,” extreme calorie restrictions, and suffocating control, including being showered by her mother into her teens. Her prose doesn’t shy away from the grim details, capturing her intense pressure and isolation, even as she rose to fame on Nickelodeon’s iCarly and later Sam & Cat.

McCurdy’s striking balance of heartbreak and biting humor makes this memoir so powerful. She recounts moments of deep pain — eating disorders, addiction, anxiety, and toxic relationships — with a wry, darkly funny voice that pulls no punches. The memoir doesn’t glorify or sugarcoat; instead, it exposes the harsh realities of child stardom and the devastating impact of an overbearing, controlling parent.

Perhaps most moving is the story’s second act, when Jennette’s mother dies of cancer. Rather than bringing peace, the loss forces Jennette to confront years of emotional damage and face the hard work of recovery. Through therapy and ultimately walking away from acting, she reclaims her identity, not as the girl her mother molded, but as the woman she chooses to become.

🌿 Key Themes

✅ Mother-Daughter Trauma
Jennette’s complicated, often toxic relationship with her mother. Her mom’s obsessive control over Jennette’s appearance, diet, career, and even personal thoughts leaves deep emotional scars. The memoir explores how love and abuse can tragically coexist — how Jennette, as a child, both craved her mother’s approval and felt crushed by her demands.

✅ The Cost of Child Stardom
Jennette pulls back the curtain on what it’s like to grow up on camera. Beneath the glitter of iCarly and Sam & Cat lies a world of exhaustion, exploitation, and the constant fear of disappointing producers, fans, or her mother. You could tell she wanted to say something about the producer/director but she kept to the line. After seeing the documentary on Nickelodean and then listening to her storyIt just all fit.

✅ Eating Disorders and Addiction
Jeanette writes candidly about the eating disorders she developed under her mother’s influence and how they spiraled into self-destruction after her mother’s death. I completely felt for her and could understand how she struggled. I often felt like her mom was her addiction as well.

✅ Humor as a Survival Mechanism
Despite the heavy subject matter, Jennette’s voice is laced with dark humor. She uses wit and sharp observations to survive and retell her story, making even the bleakest moments readable. This is a testament to resilience—that humor can be both a defense mechanism and a path toward healing. When you listen to her read her story, you can hear her dark wit come through. She is a great comedic actor.

✅ Identity and Autonomy
The memoir ultimately becomes a story of reclaiming identity. Jennette’s journey away from acting and toward self-discovery is about learning to live for herself, not for others. Her provocative and blunt title is a powerful symbol of breaking free from years of control.

💬 Powerful Quotes

“I’m glad my mom died. It was a relief.”
This opening statement sets the tone. It’s not said lightly — it’s the raw truth of someone who spent years trapped and finally feels free, though the freedom comes with guilt and grief.

“Mom didn’t get better. She just got worse.”
Jennette doesn’t romanticize her mother’s decline; instead, she shows how the abusive patterns only intensified, even under the shadow of illness.

“I want my own life.”
She came to a pivotal realization: she no longer wants to perform—not on stage, not for TV, not for her family.

“My entire identity — all I knew, all I was — revolved around Mom.”
This underscores the heart of the memoir: losing her mother forces Jennette to confront how much she’s lost herself.

Final Verdict:
I’m Glad My Mom Died is a fearless and unflinchingly honest exploration of trauma, grief, and survival. It’s funny, heartbreaking, and deeply human. Whether or not you’re familiar with McCurdy’s work on screen, her memoir stands out as one of the most candid and compelling celebrity accounts in recent years — a story of breaking free and learning to live for oneself.

Started: 10 April 2025

Completed: 12 April 2025

Total Pages Read: 320

Total Listening Time: 6 Hours: 26 Minutes

Format: Audible (own the eBook)

Rating: 5 stars