Jennette McCurdy's new memoir, 'I'm Glad My Mom Died," examines her relationship with her mom, as well as her relationship with fame. She is most known for the series iCarly.
iCarly appeared on Nickelodeon from 2007-2012. The series starred Miranda Cosgrove and Jennette McCurdy as teens Carly Shay and Sam Puckett. Carly and Sam, along with their friend Freddie Benson, played by Nathan Kress, create their own web show. The show takes place in the loft apartment Carly lives in with her older brother, Spencer Shay, played by Jerry Trainor. The web show, also called iCarly, becomes an internet sensation and the teens balance regular teen life with their fame.
iCarly was a huge hit for Nickelodeon and was one of the most popular shows for kids at the time. It was nominated five times for Outstanding Children's Program. It also made stars out of its young actors. Fans went crazy for them, and they became teen sensations.
Former first lady, Michelle Obama, even appeared on an episode of the show.
8 Miranda Cosgrove - From Drake & Josh To iCarly
Miranda Cosgrove was a child star way before iCarly came around. From 2004 to 2006 she starred as Megan Parker on another hit Nickelodeon series, Drake & Josh. Megan was the scheming little sister of the boys, and always getting them into trouble. Megan and Miranda were both an instant hit.
When Drake & Josh ended, Nickelodeon gave Miranda the starring role in a new series, iCarly. In 2012, she became the highest paid child actor. She then took a break from acting to attend USC.
Miranda Cosgrove and her former co-star, Josh Peck, are still good friends.
7 Jennette McCurdy's Rise To Fame
Jennette McCurdy was also a child actor. She had a small role in another Nickelodeon hit, Zoey 101, but her big break came as Sam on iCarly. McCurdy claims that she wanted to quit acting before she even got the role as Sam, but her mother wouldn't let her.
After the end of iCarly, Jennette went on to star in the Nick series, Sam & Cat. She continued to play Sam Puckett and now-superstar Ariana Grande played Cat Valentine, her character from another Nickelodeon series, Victorious. The show only lasted one season, and Jennette admits she was not a big fan of Ariana's while they worked together.
6 How Close Were Miranda Cosgrove And Jennette McCurdy During iCarly?
Carly and Sam were best friends, and apparently so were Miranda Cosgrove and Jennette McCurdy. Unlike her relationship with Ariana Grande, these two were super close and loved each other. They were both inconsolable on the last day of taping iCarly. Jennette was terribly afraid that their friendship would change, or even end, at the conclusion of the show.
"The reason I'm crying is that I don't know what will become of my friendship with Miranda," Jennette said. "We've gotten so close. Like sisters, but without the passive-aggression and weird tensions. I have my judgments around female friends being catty and petty and backstabby, but that couldn't be further from the truth with Miranda."
5 Jennette McCurdy Had A Troubled Childhood
"I'm Glad My Mom Died" is certainly an interesting name for a memoir. In the book, Jennette explains the title and why she felt the way she did.
Jennette's mom, Debra McCurdy, died of breast cancer in 2013.
Growing up, Jennette McCurdy says that her mom was obsessed with her daughter's acting career because she never got to live out her own childhood dream. This put immense pressure on the young star. Debra wanted to keep her daughter "small and young" and her solution was to count calories, which eventually led to an eating disorder. Jennette also writes how her mother used to bathe her and check for "mysterious lumps or bumps".
Jennette says that her mom physically, emotionally abused her throughout her childhood. Her mom's death left her with grief, not only for the loss of her mother, but also the grief of accepting her abuse.
4 Was Jennette McCurdy Abused On Set?
In her memoir, Jennette McCurdy talks about life on the set of iCarly. She refers to many inappropriate incidents by a man she calls "The Creator". These incidents include encouraging underage drinking and an unwanted shoulder massage. Many believe the man she is referring to was iCarly creator Dan Schneider, but McCurdy did not confirm this. Dan and Nickelodeon parted ways in 2018.
Jennette claims in her memoir that she was offered $300,000.00 to never speak publicly about the network. She declined the offer.
3 The iCarly Reboot Without Sam
In 2021, Paramount+ debuted the reboot of iCarly, and fans were thrilled. Most of the original cast returned, with the addition of two new characters. Harper (Laci Mosley) is Carly's new roommate, and Millicent (Jaidyn Triplett) is Freddie's daughter. Critics and audiences love the new show.
Jennette McCurdy declined to return to the show. Sam's absence is explained by saying that she is on the road with a biker gang. They mention her often.
Miranda Cosgrove offered her friend the role of Sam again, but Jennette did not want it. She says in her book that she was in a good mental place, and did not want to compromise that.
2 What Is Jennette McCurdy Doing Today?
Jennette McCurdy is not in the iCarly reboot, and she has pretty much quit acting. She took some time writing and directing short films.
In 2021, she had a one-woman show in LA, also called "I'm Glad My Mom Died". She also has a podcast, "Empty Inside", where she discusses comedy, eating disorders, therapy, and much more with a guest each week.
Her memoir has become a bestseller already. She has recently said that her three brothers are very supportive of the book, and that they "get the title".
1 Are Miranda Cosgrove And Jennette McCurdy Still Friends?
Sam and Carly are no longer together on iCarly, but that doesn't mean that Jennette McCurdy and Miranda Cosgrove are no longer friends. The two had a wonderful relationship while filming the original series, and they both still feel the same way about each other. Their careers have gone in separate ways, but they still keep in touch.
McCurdy writes in her memoir, “With Miranda, it’s always been so easy. Our friendship is so pure.” Jennette recently stated that she cannot wait for her friend to read her memoir, and she thinks she will like it.
As for Cosgrove, she said in a 2018 Instagram post that Jennette is "the friend that everybody should have. She's the friend that everyone deserves."
