Shirley J. Adult Biography Stage Mother, Abuse, Anorexia, Bulimia, etc.
I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy 320 pages
Wow! Jeanette McCurdy, former child star on Nickolodean in ICarly and Sam & Cat endured far more than the public had any idea. Growing up a Mormon, she and her brothers were home schooled. Her mother's dream for herself was to become a star (celebrity), so since she was unable to realize that in her own life she determined to live vicariously through her daughter who she would push to become a star. At 6 years old her mother took her to her first audition. Jennette loved her mother and tried her best to please her dutifully going to audition after audition though she personally had no interest in doing t.v., movies, commercials, none of that, she just wanted to make her mother happy. At 11 her mother starts forcing her to diet by telling her how fat she is getting, etc. Her mother pressed her so hard, Jennette became the sole source of income eventually for the family. Her mother had weird ideas on showering Jennette (up until the age of 16), giving her female examinations herself though she had no medical background, she raged at her for not being selected for roles, she hounded her to learn the lines and perform them as she thought she should. She demanded Jennette be able to cry on cue to the point she became dehydrated from being asked to do so often on sets, she suffered from anorexia, later bulimia. She even became an alcoholic from trying to deal with all the pressure and turmoil. There is so much to be found in this book, and while the title may grab readers judge not until you have read the book to find out the emotion behind the title. It was a good book, an eye-opener fly on the wall view of a child star through a young adult being so forcefully driven by the mad whims of a wanna be actress who made her daughter make her dreams come true. I recommend this book to middle schoolers on up as a cautionary tale.
No comments:
Post a Comment