Jennette McCurdy talks about getting support from her brothers. Image Source: NewsWeek
Jennette McCurdy talks about getting support from her brothers.
Actress Jennette McCurdy, who recently published her memoir ‘I’m Glad My Mom Died,’ shared during an interview with The Hollywood Reporter that her brothers have been very supportive of her and are cheering her on. She explains that her brothers get the title of her memoir and are understanding why she decided to revisit the trauma.
The actress claimed that she was honest about the title and that she had wanted to preserve it because she wanted something attention-grabbing but also real. She added that she would never use a strong title if it weren't genuine. She claimed that she was confident that both people with a sense of humor and those who have experienced parental abuse would be able to relate to the title.
During the interview, the 30-year-old actress said that the response she has received from the audience and some of the celebrities has been overwhelming in the best way possible and she is still trying to believe that her memoir has received the reaction it has. Jennette said that she is incredibly grateful that people could relate to her story and she feels for the one who had to go through something similar like her.
On asking about how long she waited to write the memoir, Jennette McCurdy said having been in therapy for six years, she has secretly uncovered a great deal about her emotional and mental health background, and avoiding the spotlight has allowed her to concentrate on herself. Having done so much of the work initially privately and for herself, she felt that she was in a position where she could kind of discern what aspects of her life are genuinely entertaining and worth people reading about, and what are not. She added that writing a good book and letting the fact remain the way it is was her goal and the later book happening to be about her was a secondary thing, and she said that she laughed a lot and cried while writing.
Jennette said that she waited for an appropriate amount of time in processing before approaching the events of her past in any sort of creative way. She added that if an individual prematurely starts approaching something creatively that has to do with their own life, they risk just overstepping the private boundaries. And she was conscious not to do that to herself.
On asking about how difficult it was for her to trust the memories she had or if she had a way of tapping into the memories to make sure she was getting all of it right, Jennette said that actors have the best memories and explained that she has three brothers who went through the same thing as her. Jennette continued that it helped, but she was extremely happy to have their support and validation throughout all of it.
When pressed more about the reasoning for her decision to inject comedy into her writing about the tragedy, Jennette responded that she loves to connect deeply and truly with people. She added that this is very important to her, and she makes an effort to create work that does the same. For her, that means being open and honest about the range of emotions that come with being a person, including the highs and lows, the hilarious and the sad, the drama and the comedy. When asked what the book's purpose was, the actress responded that it was to connect with readers. She is delighted that it has proven to be one of the most effective methods and she is astounded by the response.
Jennette McCurdy revealed that she is working on a novel and a collection of essays now, and she just finds writing fulfilling. She hopes to do more directing. She has previously directed five short films and a lot of her projects, and she hopes to do more of that —more writing and directing. Jennette lastly shared what she would have said to the younger version of herself, which is to tell her that she is going to be fine, going to be able to fulfill her dreams of writing and directing. The actress expressed that she is grateful for the life she has now and that she is in a healthy place now.
The memoir details the emotional and physical abuse the actress endured from her mother, Debra McCurdy, who passed away after battling cancer, the way she was exploited by the channel and was offered hush money and never to talk about her time on the show. In some parts, Jennette McCurdy also mentioned how the channel's decision to allow Ariana Grande to pursue her music career and not let Jennette do the same made her bitter toward Ariana Grande.
The memoir, I’m Glad My Mom Died, is currently available from Simon & Schuster.
