Born in 1992, Jennette McCurdy was a child star thrust into the spotlight by her mother. “I think [my mother] wanted me to have a better life than she had,” Jennette reflected. Her early career was shaped by her mother’s overbearing nature and personal struggles. At six, Jennette began acting, driven by her mother’s ambition to secure the family’s financial future, despite the challenges at home.

Jennette’s fame soared with her role on Nickelodeon’s “iCarly” in 2007, but this brought internal pressures. Her mother, Debra, imposed severe dietary restrictions and bathed her until age 16. Jennette developed an eating disorder, saying, “I’ve dreaded showers for a while… Whenever it was that I started to feel uncomfortable that Mom still showers me.” This control deeply affected Jennette’s relationship with her body and autonomy.

Debra’s death in 2013 profoundly impacted Jennette, leading to bulimia and alcoholism. She faced professional stagnation and jealousy towards co-star Ariana Grande. Jennette declined a $300,000 payout from Nickelodeon to stay silent, choosing to speak out about her experiences and advocate for better treatment of child actors.

Jennette left acting in 2018, focusing on recovery and personal growth. Her memoir, “I’m Glad My Mom Died,” candidly reflects on her painful childhood and complex relationship with her mother. “I used to have a complicated relationship with missing her; now I’m able to just miss her,” Jennette shared. She now uses her platform to advocate for child actors and discuss mental health, finding new creative outlets through writing and podcasting.