Book Summary Contents
- 1 The Liberation Memoir: Shocking I’m Glad My Mom Died Summary
- 2 I’m Glad My Mom Died Summary and Review
- 3 The Painful Road to Recovery
- 4 Why This Memoir Resonates
- 5 I’m Glad My Mom Died Summary by Chapter
- 6 Jennette McCurdy: More Than Sam Puckett
- 7 Your Burning Questions Answered
- 8 Conclusion: The Freedom in Unflinching Truth
The Liberation Memoir: Shocking I’m Glad My Mom Died Summary
Introduction: The Confession That Broke the Internet
“My life purpose was to make Mom happy. So without her… who was I?”
When I read Jennette McCurdy’s opening lines, I froze. How could the bubbly iCarly star write such a brutally titled memoir? This isn’t cruelty – it’s the cry of a survivor finally breaking free.
After devouring this book in one sleepless night, I understood: that shocking title is her hard-won liberation anthem. In this I’m Glad My Mom Died summary, I’ll unpack McCurdy’s journey from controlled child star to empowered artist.
Trigger warning: This isn’t just Hollywood gossip. It’s a masterclass in surviving narcissistic parenting and industry exploitation.
TL;DR: Key Insights at a Glance
Core Trauma: McCurdy’s mom controlled her body, career, and identity (showers at 16, enforced anorexia, invasion).
Industry Abuse: Nickelodeon’s “Creator” exploited her; offered $300K silence money after Sam & Cat.
Liberation Irony: Mom’s death triggered bulimia/alcoholism but enabled her recovery journey.
Healing Milestones:
Therapy breakthrough: “Mom was a narcissist”
Throwing out her scale
Rejecting acting for writing
Rating: 4.5/5 – Brutally honest, darkly funny, essential read (minus 0.5 for extreme triggers).
Perfect For: Survivors of narcissistic parents, eating disorder warriors, child rights advocates.
Pros: Unmatched vulnerability, industry exposé, cathartic humor.
Cons: Graphic descriptions of abuse/eating disorders.
One-Sentence Summary: A child star’s journey from maternal enslavement to fierce self-ownership through unflinching truth-telling.
5 Questions This Memoir Answers
How did McCurdy’s mom control her body?
Why did Nickelodeon offer hush money?
What triggered her eating disorders?
How did her mom’s death paradoxically save her?
What’s the truth about “The Creator” (Dan Schneider)?
Explore Similar Books Summaries:
I’m Glad My Mom Died Summary and Review
What “I’m Glad My Mom Died” Actually Reveals?
The Unflinching Core: A Prisoner Set Free
McCurdy’s memoir isn’t about mom-hatred. It’s about escaping a lifetime of suffocating control. Through 91 raw chapters, she exposes:
Mom’s Web of Control:
Showering Jennette until age 16
Performing invasive “cancer checks” (breast/genital exams)
Enforcing calorie restriction at age 11 to “delay puberty” for roles
My stomach churned reading how her mom celebrated Jennette weighing 89lbs on her deathbed.
Hollywood’s Complicity:
Nickelodeon’s “Creator” (Dan Schneider) offering her own show if she’d “listen to him”
Being pressured to wear bikinis at 13
$300K hush money offer after Sam & Cat cancellation
Her description of vomiting between takes? Heartbreaking.
The Survival Mechanisms:
Anorexia: To stay “small” for Mom/roles
Bulimia: Post-mom’s death coping tool
Alcoholism: Silencing Mom’s critical voice
Her lost molar from stomach acid haunts me.
The Turning Point: Death as Liberation
When Mom dies of cancer, Jennette’s first reaction isn’t grief – it’s relief. Finally, she can:
Quit acting without guilt
Eat without being monitored
Discover her own identity
But freedom’s messy. She spirals into bulimia, toxic relationships, and rock bottom before therapy saves her.
The Real Villain? Enmeshment
The memoir’s genius is showing how “love” masked abuse:
Mom calling Jennette her “best friend” while controlling her body
Forcing her to sing Wind Beneath My Wings at her funeral
Using cancer as ultimate guilt weapon (“You caused my relapse”)
The Painful Road to Recovery
Four Stages of Reclaiming Self
Phase | Breaking Point | McCurdy’s Turning Point |
---|---|---|
Denial | Defending Mom in therapy | Therapist stating: “Her condoning your anorexia was abuse” |
Awakening | Learning Mom’s affair secret | Discovering 3 siblings had different biological father |
Collapse | Dating “Jesus reincarnated” | Boyfriend’s schizophrenia diagnosis |
Rebirth | Purging until teeth fell out | Throwing out her scale on her 24th birthday |
Therapy Breakthroughs That Stuck
McCurdy’s path to healing involved brutal realizations:
“My worth wasn’t tied to my weight”: Letting go of the 89lbs obsession
“Mom was a narcissist”: Accepting the label she’d resisted
“I was parentified”: Recognizing she’d been Mom’s emotional spouse
Her therapist Jeff’s mantra: “Slips aren’t failures – shame spirals are.”
Why This Memoir Resonates
Writing Style: Unfiltered & Unforgettable
McCurdy writes like she’s ripping off bandages:
Dark humor: Calling bulimia “poor man’s anorexia”
Vivid metaphors: Fame feels like “being owned by strangers”
Raw dialogue: Mom’s exact words during abuse chills you
Pacing: A Emotional Rollercoaster
The book’s structure mirrors her chaos:
Part 1 (Ch 1-55): Relentless childhood trauma (hardest to read)
Part 2 (Ch 56-77): Post-mom spiral (exhausting but necessary)
Part 3 (Ch 78-91): Healing climb (cathartic payoff)
Fair warning: The invasive exam scenes (Ch 27) may require breathers.
The Satisfying Conclusion
The ending at Mom’s grave isn’t tidy closure. Jennette calls her a “narcissist” aloud – not for revenge, but truth. Her final line to readers? “You deserved better too.”
My Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
This book reshaped how I view child stardom. Minus 0.5 for extremely triggering content. But its bravery? Unmatched.
Genre-Defining
Compared to other celeb memoirs:
More vulnerable than Leah Remini’s Troublemaker
Funnier than Tara Westover’s Educated during darkness
As industry-exposing as Ronan Farrow’s Catch and Kill
I’m Glad My Mom Died Summary by Chapter
Chapter 1: People-Pleasing Foundations & Birthday Anxiety
Demonstrates ingrained people-pleasing behavior through meticulous gift unwrapping and feigned excitement over disliked presents to avoid maternal disappointment.
Reveals Jennette’s core trauma: suppressing her own desires for her mother’s emotional stability.
Her secret birthday wish (“stay alive another year”) highlights the immense burden of responsibility and anxiety she carried for her mother’s survival.
Chapter 2: The Imposed Dream & Emotional Manipulation
Debra McCurdy projects her unfulfilled acting ambitions onto Jennette using emotional manipulation (“giving you the life I deserved,” “making sacrifices”).
Jennette’s reluctant agreement showcases her lack of childhood agency and profound need for maternal approval.
Chapter 3: Audition Anxiety & Lost Autonomy
First agent audition (Jell-O monologue) reveals Jennette’s nervousness and rigid adherence to mother’s instructions.
Prioritizing agent acquisition to avoid maternal disappointment, even over casting director expectations.
Mother immediately reframes background work as “potential” for stardom, illustrating relentless parental ambition and Jennette’s internal conflict: “Mom wants this more than anything”.
Chapter 4: Early Career Exploitation & Projection
Mother’s excitement over The X-Files background work focuses on “free” craft services and proximity to fame.
Declarations like “You’re gonna be a star” underscore the parental projection of dreams and pressure Jennette internalizes.
Chapter 5: Chaotic Home Life & Seeking Refuge
Highlights “Second-Rate Mormon” status and family financial struggles.
Home life dominated by mother’s hoarding disorder, creating chaos and shame.
Church becomes Jennette’s weekly “reprieve,” reflecting her desire for control and escape from dysfunction.
Chapter 6: Dysfunctional Family Dynamics & Parentification
Vivid portrayal of volatile parental arguments, often instigated by mother.
Jennette acts as emotional caretaker, attempting to de-escalate and prioritize her mother’s unstable emotions, showcasing childhood parentification.
Chapter 7: Early Success & Relentless Pressure
Secures first principal role (Golden Dreams) due to “great sad face.”
Mother dismisses agency advice (“core background”) as insufficient, pushing relentlessly for greater fame, ignoring Jennette’s comfort – toxic parental pressure.
Chapter 8: Manipulation & Securing Representation
Mother’s persistent pleading convinces prominent youth agent Barbara Cameron to represent Jennette despite a poor audition, conditional on acting classes.
Highlights parental manipulation and Jennette’s internal conflict between obligation and discomfort.
Chapter 9: Acting Class Humiliation & Parental Intrusion
Jennette hates acting class (humiliating exercises, forced emotions).
Mother’s intrusive “sideline coaching” violates rules and exacerbates Jennette’s discomfort, intensifying scrutiny and pressure.
Chapter 10: Suppressing Identity & Booking the Role
Discomfort with a line containing “gay” overridden by mother’s insistence to please the agent.
Mother’s reaction to Jennette choosing a different ice cream flavor (“You’re changing”) underscores pressure to maintain a child persona for love and control.
Books first speaking role, fueling mother’s happiness.
Chapter 11: Codependency & The “Best Friend” Facade
Mother projects her insecurity and need for friendship onto Jennette (“You’re my best friend, Net”).
This enmeshed, codependent relationship provides Jennette validation and a sense of purpose.
Chapter 12: Extreme Control, Rage, & Fleeting Freedom
Mother’s erratic, controlling behavior: demanding chores, imposing 14 dance classes/week after perceived failure.
Jennette finds solace in dance (less maternal monitoring).
Mother’s violent rage over a missed acting class shatters a rare father-daughter bonding moment, revealing emotional abuse and extreme volatility.
Chapter 13: “Little Breaks” & Insatiable Ambition
Roles on Malcolm in the Middle and CSI provide financial stability.
Mother remains impatient for the “big break,” showcasing insatiable desire for fame.
Chapter 14: OCD Emergence & Parental Denial
Onset of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) during a callback; rituals interpreted as guidance from the “Holy Ghost.”
Mother dismisses talk of the Holy Ghost, highlighting denial of mental health struggles.
Chapter 15: Beauty Standards & Maternal Investment
Mother’s obsession with Jennette’s appearance: constant “enhancements” (eyelash tint, whitening strips).
Breakdown after Jennette rejected for being “homely” reveals intense pressure to conform and mother’s emotional stake in her looks.
Chapter 16: Objectification & Validation
Forced to wear inappropriate outfits for auditions, feeling embarrassed.
Mother finds validation in Jennette being deemed “too pretty” for a role, prioritizing perceived attractiveness over acting success – exploitation and objectification.
Chapter 17: The Demand for Perfection & Early Self-Doubt
Grandfather suggests OCD/need for therapy; mother fiercely denies: “Jennette’s perfect… does not need help.”
Forces Jennette to internalize the need for perfection.
Jennette questions if rituals are Holy Ghost or OCD, showing growing self-doubt.
Chapter 18: Catharsis Through Performance
Channels mother’s “erratic and violent behavior” for a powerful audition (Strong Medicine).
Experiences catharsis, releasing pent-up emotions, bringing both her and mother “good” feelings despite discomfort.
Chapter 19: Image Over Reality
Mother fixates on showcasing “fire in her eyes” on demo reel, ignoring Jennette’s feeling of underperforming.
Prioritizes impressive public image over Jennette’s reality, reinforcing her internalized pressure.
Chapter 20: Career Over Well-Being
Forced to audition (Karen Sisco) with 103-degree fever.
Mother prioritizes career over health; Jennette books the role, mother boasts about her “edge.”
Chapter 21: The Cost of “Crying on Cue”
“Crying on cue” touted as crucial skill; requires exploiting personal tragedies.
Reveals the emotional toll and commodification of Jennette’s feelings.
Chapter 22: Suppressed Rebellion & Manipulation
Jennette resists crying on cue, declares “I don’t want to act anymore.”
Mother’s hysterical reaction (banging steering wheel, sobbing) causes immediate retraction and a “fake smile” – emotional manipulation triumphing over autonomy.
Chapter 23: A Glimpse of Normalcy
Grandfather encourages Jennette to “be a kid” and “have fun,” concepts foreign to her.
Gift symbolizes the contrast between her controlled childhood and carefree potential.
Chapter 24: Identity Suppression
Mother dismisses Jennette’s screenplay (Henry Road) with warnings about writers becoming “frumpy” and “fat.”
Highlights maternal control over identity and career path, suppressing Jennette’s authentic self-expression.
Chapter 25: Eating Disorder Origin
Views breast development as a threat to career and maternal approval.
Mother introduces “calorie restriction” as a “secret” to “stay small,” linking it to her own body issues.
Jennette embraces disordered eating (anorexia) as bonding and career strategy.
Chapter 26: Religious Hierarchy & Dismissiveness
“Assistant secretary” role in Mormon Beehives seen as sign of family becoming “inactive.”
Reinforces “Second-Rate Mormon” status and mother’s dismissive attitude towards judgment/religion.
Chapter 27: Violated Boundaries & Coercive Control
Extreme discomfort with mother’s continued showering and intrusive “exams,” requiring dissociation to cope.
Mother justifies as necessary care, masking controlling behavior and violation of bodily autonomy.
Chapter 28: The Culmination: Booking iCarly
Books “first series regular role” on iCarly after screen test.
Mutual elation symbolizes culmination of mother’s dreams and Jennette’s hope for family stability.
Chapter 29: Unrelenting Pressure Post-Success
Receives perks (gift baskets) but mother remains critical during line practice and restricts food.
Control and pressure persist despite achieved fame, highlighting the internal-external disconnect.
Chapter 30: Seeking Autonomy & Friendship
Developing friendship with co-star Miranda exposes Jennette to independence and contrasts her controlled life.
Lies to mother about AIM conversations signal growing desire for autonomy.
Chapter 31: Body Shame & Industry Exploitation
Extreme discomfort and shame during bikini fittings; wishes to look like a child.
Mother insists on “options” despite discomfort, revealing exploitation of developing body for industry demands.
Chapter 32: Performative Intimacy & Disconnect
“First kiss” on-screen is terrifying, disconnected; director demands “More. Head. Movement.”
Solidifies disdain for inauthentic acting, especially intimacy.
Chapter 33: The Spin-Off Offer & New Control
Offered spin-off (Just Puckett) contingent on obeying “The Creator.”
Mother’s joy masks Jennette’s apprehension about the controlling nature mirroring her mother.
Chapter 34: Resentment & Exploitation
Miranda’s friendship provides crucial support against mother’s pressure.
Fame escalates anxiety; Jennette feels profound resentment towards mother for imposing this despised life – “robbed and exploited.”
Chapter 35: Shifting Faith & Motivation
Mother’s disinterest in church as fame/health improve.
Jennette reinterprets “inactive” status: desires met, no longer “need” God – shift in understanding maternal motivations.
Chapter 36: Menarche & Anorexia Intensification
First period brings shame/horror; mother dismisses anorexia concerns.
Triggers decision to intensify anorexia to “be a kid again,” countering maturation.
Chapter 37: Cancer’s Return & Prioritizing Career
Mother cries listening to Jennette’s country song, revealing cancer recurrence.
Confirms cancer but insists Jennette continue tour: prioritizing daughter’s career over own health.
Chapter 38: Tour Freedom & Disordered Eating Shift
Experiences freedom and enjoyment away from mother’s monitoring during tour.
Leads to significant bingeing (“out of control”), showing link between maternal absence and bulimic patterns.
Chapter 39: Struggling with Intimacy
First “real kiss” (18) feels “more natural” than on-screen.
Relationship with Lucas marked by her inability to genuinely reciprocate, highlighting struggles with emotional intimacy and detachment.
Chapter 40: The Twisted Comfort of Control
Returns anxious about weight gain; shocked by mother’s emaciation from cancer.
Mother’s first words: “You’re getting chunky… get you on a diet.” Re-establishes toxic dynamic; Jennette feels perverse comfort in the familiar control.
Chapter 41: Mirroring Dynamics & Lack of Control
“The Creator” mirrors mother’s controlling/terrifying nature; Jennette feels compelled to cater to him.
Cannot maintain diet without mother’s supervision, showing lack of independent self-regulation.
Chapter 42: False Independence & Suffocating Bond
“Solo apartment” immediately commandeered by mother nightly.
Mother’s declining health fuels Jennette’s anger, revealing the suffocating codependency and unspoken acknowledgment of impending death.
Chapter 43: Exploring Genuine Intimacy
Develops “flirty” friendship with crew member Joe; finds touch “exhilarating… scary.” A step towards authentic connection.
Chapter 44: Punishment & Boundary Violation
Lies about sleepover to see Joe; mother’s response: violent outburst (“filthy little lying whore,” throws remote).
Jennette gives Joe a blow job feeling pressured/stupid, showing lack of boundaries and self-sacrifice.
Chapter 45: Public Shaming & Internalized Abuse
Paparazzi photos lead to mother’s vicious email (“slut,” “ugly monster,” “liar,” blames Jennette for cancer).
Jennette internalizes abuse: self-loathing, body repulsion, belief she’s an “evil monster.” A “wedge” of hatred grows.
Chapter 46: The Funeral Song & Emotional Burden
Mother demands Jennette sing “Wind Beneath My Wings” at her funeral, breaking the no-death-talk rule. Uses “hopefully” manipulatively.
Jennette feels “furious” guilt, unable to sing due to range – emotional burden of dying wish.
Chapter 47: Contrasting Realities
Mother has severe seizure (“frothing at mouth”).
Jennette passes giant iCarly billboard with her “dead-eyed grin,” highlighting stark contrast between public facade and harrowing private reality.
Chapter 48: Control in Coma & Bingeing
Attempts to purge Burger King (stress-induced binge) fails.
Mother awakens from coma: first words criticize Whopper’s fat content. Ultimate symbol of unwavering control; Jennette clings to it as a sign of life.
Chapter 49: Valuing Authentic Connection
Cries as iCarly ends, fearing loss of genuine friendship with Miranda, not the show itself.
Yearns for unconditional, non-contextual relationships.
Chapter 50: Emotional Numbness & Detachment
Ends relationship with Joe bluntly (“Look, I just am”), citing mother’s dying and his flaws.
Reflects growing numbness and detachment from unfulfilling relationships.
Chapter 51: Crisis & Friend Support
Mother enters coma after failed implant surgery.
Jennette’s shock; Miranda’s immediate support contrasts father’s stoicism – reliance on friends during trauma.
Chapter 52: Clinging to Hope & Insensitivity
Clings to hope despite grim prognosis; rapid weight loss from stress.
Brief moment (“Canada Dry”) misinterpreted. Nurse’s fan question about Sam & Cat underscores public insensitivity during private grief.
Chapter 53: Alcohol as Escape
First alcohol experience provides “incredible” escape from worries, body image, grief, bulimia, career pressure.
“The voice of Mom judging me evaporates completely.”
Chapter 54: Escalation & The Call
First hangover signals escalating alcohol use.
Amidst personal chaos, father calls: mother “gonna die today.” Overwhelming reality crashes in.
Chapter 55: Numbness & Isolation
Mother dies in hoarder house. Jennette and brothers “numb,” having rehearsed this “dozen” times.
News breaks immediately on E! Ends superficial relationship, feeling alienated from those with “no concept of loss” – profound grief and isolation.
Chapter 56: Bulimia Cycle Begins
Initially restricts food to “honor Mom,” feeling “thin and valuable.”
Quickly binges at sushi restaurant, leading to first successful purge – feels “victorious,” marking the start of bulimic coping.
Chapter 57: The Funeral & Unsingable Song
Prepares for funeral using mother’s preferred makeup/hair.
Attempts to sing requested song but overcome by a “guttural cry” – release of pent-up emotion beyond performance.
Chapter 58: Resentment & Envy
Resentment towards Ariana Grande grows on Sam & Cat set due to absences/music career.
Envies Ariana’s “easier upbringing,” fueling bitterness over missed opportunities and unfairness, intensifying hatred for acting.
Chapter 59: Detached Intimacy & Relapse
Casually loses virginity to Liam while drunk, prioritizing getting it “over with,” avoiding emotion (“feminine weakness”).
Immediately engages in binge/purge cycle – reliance on disordered eating and alcohol to numb turmoil.
Chapter 60: Society’s Distorted Mirror
Receives “positive—and creepy” comments on body due to bulimia, highlighting unhealthy societal beauty standards equating thinness with “goodness.”
Recognizes body is not a “reliable reflection” of internal misery.
Chapter 61: Betrayal & Loss of Control
Promised directing opportunity revoked without explanation.
Triggers intense panic attack on set – symbolizes loss of agency and control; confirmation of being robbed.
Chapter 62: Seeking Control & Toxic Grandparent
Attempts to control bulimia by restricting, longing for anorexia’s perceived “control.”
Strained, abusive relationship with grandmother (“wailing,” “guilting,” “bitch”) exacerbates depletion, leading to purge – toxic family patterns persist.
Chapter 63: Despair & Creator Consequences
Feels “miserable,” “depleted” by unchecked bulimia, stagnant career, disappointments.
“The Creator” faces consequences for “emotional abuse.” Jennette uses alcohol, detaches from work – deep despair and desire to escape.
Chapter 64: Hush Money & Moral Conflict
Nickelodeon offers $300,000 “hush money” regarding “The Creator’s abuse.”
Instinctively refuses (unethical), then second-guesses due to financial impact – internal conflict: integrity vs. practicality.
Chapter 65: Reclaiming Narrative & Resentment
Expresses deep resentment towards fame and “Sam” persona.
Views child stardom as a “trap” and “career death sentence” that “robbed me of my youth.”
Explicitly attributes blame: “Mom pushed this on me. I’m allowed to hate someone else’s dream.”
Chapter 66: Purpose Lost & Identity Search
Bulimia causes weight gain obsession. On 22nd birthday, feels “wishless” – life’s purpose (pleasing mother) gone.
Realizes she lived to understand/please mother “at the expense of ever really knowing myself.” Purges cake to cope with identity crisis.
Chapter 67: False Fresh Start & Distraction
Accepts “Netflix” role hoping for fresh start away from “kid show” identity. Reads self-help, creates mission statement.
Learns show is Canadian co-prod, disappointment. Infatuation with Steven becomes distraction from self-improvement goal.
Chapter 68: “Real” Love & Persistent Bulimia
Dates Steven (“sweet,” “edgy”). Continues bingeing/purging after dates.
Experiences “incredible,” connected sex (“forget myself”). Feels “real,” significant step up, but bulimia remains entrenched.
Chapter 69: The Ultimatum
Steven discovers bulimia evidence, delivers ultimatum: “You need to get help… or I can’t be with you.”
Jennette shocked by his resolve, realizing the severity and impact of her disorder.
Chapter 70: Shattering the Perfect Mom Myth
Begins therapy with Laura (skeptical, for Steven).
Laura suggests mother teaching “calorie restriction” was “abuse.” Jennette stunned, defensive, leaves session.
Shatters lifelong narrative of “perfect mom”; triggers severe relapse.
Chapter 71: Rock Bottom & “Bullshit” Recovery
Feels worse after a month: severe alcohol, bulimia (5-10x/day, 8-9 shots/night), grief.
Laura supports at red carpet; Jennette fails to eat healthy, binges sliders, has breakdown in car.
Laura: “This is what recovery looks like.” Jennette: “complete bullshit.”
Chapter 72: Milestone & Defensive Relapse
Achieves 24 hours purge-free, feels pride.
Laura pushes deeper into childhood/mother relationship, reiterating “abuse.”
Jennette ends session, rejects “demolishing” mother’s narrative, relapses into self-harming purge – defense of core identity.
Chapter 73: Religious Delusion & Relationship Strain
Steven moves in, declares himself “Jesus Christ reincarnated” after God’s Not Dead, vows celibacy.
Jennette “distraught” by his apparent mental unwellness but tries to maintain relationship.
Chapter 74: Lost Reprieve
Steven’s celibacy vow deeply upsets Jennette; sex was crucial “reprieve” from misery.
Desperately seduces him (blow job “150,000%”), but he remains celibate. Feels lost, used.
Chapter 75: Paternity Revelation & Shock
Father casually reveals he is not Jennette/ brothers’ biological father.
Jennette shocked, numb, confused, but with hidden relief. Grapples with mother’s lifelong deception and shattered identity.
Chapter 76: Compounding Crises
Struggles to process paternity revelation, relies heavily on purge/alcohol.
Anger intensifies at mother’s betrayal: “center of my existence.”
Steven confirms “Jesus” delusion. Jennette leaves for Australia, feeling powerless.
Chapter 77: Breaking Point & Turning Point
Bulimia spirals on flight to Sydney; loses a tooth from enamel erosion.
Lands to voicemail: Steven hospitalized (suspected schizophrenia).
Overwhelmed, hears Ariana Grande’s “Focus on Me,” decides: “time to focus on me” – pivotal moment of self-prioritization.
Chapter 78: Specialized Therapy & Facing Reality
Begins therapy with Jeff (eating disorder specialist). Initial weigh-in triggers anxiety.
Jeff’s calm, direct demeanor earns respect; encourages facing emotions around food/body – foundation for true recovery.
Chapter 79: Reconciliation & Hope?
Steven recovering (therapy, meds), lighthearted about past delusion.
They reconcile, expressing belief they can “be there for each other” – hopeful but complex outlook.
Chapter 80: Normalizing Eating & Relapse
Starts normalizing eating (3 meals, 2 snacks) in therapy, despite fear of weight gain/mother’s voice.
Jeff explains restriction -> binge/purge cycle. Struggles emotionally, relapses (purges spaghetti) – difficult early recovery phase.
Chapter 81: Understanding “Slips”
Jeff introduces concept: “slips” don’t define you; prevent “slip” becoming “slide.”
Explains perfectionism and shame spirals perpetuate disorder.
Jennette begins to see “acceptance of slips is the missing piece” – crucial mindset shift.
Chapter 82: Supporting Addiction & Growing Apart
Steven’s marijuana addiction worsens (catatonic, withdrawn).
Jennette’s interventions fail; feels powerless. Emotional distance grows as she focuses on own recovery.
Chapter 83: Prioritizing Mental Health
Sells stressful, lonely house despite grandparents’ “good investment” objections.
Jeff supports prioritizing mental health and safety. Moves to apartment symbolizing self-aligned life.
Chapter 84: Meeting Bio-Dad & Emotional Identification
Meets biological father (with Miranda/Colton) at jazz concert; brief, awkward encounter confirms he knew about them.
Feels relief, disappointment, confusion – progress in identifying complex emotions.
Chapter 85: Reclaiming Self-Worth
On 24th birthday, throws away the scale that “defined me for so long.”
Symbolic act of dismantling disordered beliefs, embracing life “beyond the scale.”
Chapter 86: Ending Codependency
Ends relationship with Steven, realizing it was based on “fixing” each other (Jeff’s guidance on codependency).
Decision made with mutual tears/acknowledgment – commitment to prioritizing own recovery and healthy boundaries.
Chapter 87: Quitting Acting & Taking Control
“Netflix” show cancelled; Jennette makes definitive decision to quit acting.
Feels peace, recognizes lack of control in acting career and its mental health toll.
Asserts: “I want my life to be in my hands” – not ED, casting, agents, or mother.
Chapter 88: Managing Recovery in Reality
Celebrates 26th birthday at Disneyland with Miranda.
Acknowledges ongoing struggle but celebrates progress: slips don’t become slides. Food causes anxiety, but prioritizes experiences – conscious management of ED in real life, determined to “outgrow eating disorders.”
Chapter 89: Finding Joy in Food
Enjoys chocolate chip cookie without anxiety/calorie counting.
Signifies over a year purge-free, finding enjoyment in food. Takes pride in facing issues (grief, lost childhood).
Chapter 90: Prioritizing Well-being Over Money/Fame
Declines iCarly reboot offer (“good money”), prioritizing “mental health and happiness.”
Confidently articulates reasoning: reboots entrench performers, hinder growth. Demonstrates strong self-agency, boundaries, and values beyond fame/wealth.
Chapter 91 (After): Liberation & Truth at the Grave
Visits mother’s grave, directly confronts “romanticized” mother image.
Explicitly names mother as a “narcissist” and perpetrator of “emotional, mental, and physical abuse” (exams, forced acting, teaching ED).
Acknowledges trauma while recognizing mother’s endearing qualities and own lingering grief.
Walks away resolved not to return – final liberation from maternal control and the defining painful narrative.
Jennette McCurdy: More Than Sam Puckett

Her Past | Her Reinvention | Why It Matters |
---|---|---|
Nickelodeon’s “tough girl” | Sold-out solo show writer | Proves talent beyond Mom’s script |
Mom’s “best friend” | Podcast host (Empty Inside) | Creates space for uncomfortable truths |
$300K silence offer | Bestselling memoirist | Chooses integrity over money |
Her greatest triumph? Quitting acting at 24 despite industry pressure.
Your Burning Questions Answered
Q: What’s this memoir really about?
A: McCurdy’s survival of maternal abuse, child stardom exploitation, and eating disorders – culminating in hard-won self-liberation.
Q: How long is the book?
A: 304 pages in hardcover. The audiobook (narrated by McCurdy) runs 6h 26m.
Q: How many copies sold?
A: Over 2 million in 6 months. #1 NYT Bestseller for 24+ weeks.
Q: Who is it dedicated to?
A: “To my child self – you deserved better.” (Proof this isn’t mom-bashing but self-reclamation)
Q: Is it just about her mom?
A: No – equally exposes Hollywood’s abuse of child actors and her eating disorder battle.
Q: How truthful is it?
A: Nickelodeon never disputed claims. Co-stars like Miranda Cosgrove praised its courage.
Conclusion: The Freedom in Unflinching Truth
Finishing this I’m Glad My Mom Died summary, I’m haunted by McCurdy’s resilience. This isn’t a revenge memoir – it’s a testament to how truth sets us free.
Her greatest lesson? “Healing begins when we stop protecting our abusers.” From throwing out her scale to rejecting $300K hush money, every act of selfhood chips at the prison Mom built.
If you’ve ever felt trapped by family duty or others’ expectations, READ THIS BOOK. It’s not easy, but freedom never is.
Get Your Copy
Sources & References
- Amazon’s book page
- Goodreaders’s book page
- Author’s image source: Wikipedia.org
- Book Cover: Amazon.com
- Quotes Source: Goodreads.com