Jennette McCurdy, a well-known actress on Nickelodeon’s hit TV shows “iCarly” and “Sam & Cat,” says she was offered hush money and told to drink alcohol as a child star.
In her upcoming memoir, “I’m Glad My Mom Died,” she notes that during a wardrobe fitting, someone took a picture of her in a bikini. She called the person who took the photo “Creator.” This photographer pressured her to drink alcohol when she was a teenager and an actress on Nickelodeon, as well as massaging her at work.
i’m so excited for my book to come out lol
— Jennette McCurdy (@jennettemccurdy) July 24, 2022
McCurdy’s mother, Debra, who passed away in 2013, reportedly said these types of things were simply the consequences of fame.
McCurdy told the New York Times:
“My whole childhood and adolescence were very exploited … It still gives my nervous system a reaction to say it. There were cases where people had the best intentions and maybe didn’t know what they were doing. And also cases where they did — they knew exactly what they were doing.”
Ariana Grande, the co-star of “Sam & Cat,” was able to do other acting jobs while they filmed the show, but McCurdy called out Nickolodean’s double standard. McCurdy claims that the network barred her from doing other acting jobs.
McCurdy also noted that Nickolodeon did not want her publicly speaking about her time on the network. So they offered her $300,000 in hush money, she claims, to keep her quiet about what took place.
McCurdy noted in her book:
“What finally undid me was when Ariana came whistle-toning in with excitement because she had spent the previous evening playing charades at Tom Hanks’s house … That was the moment I broke.”
McCurdy also described how her mother controlled her career and caused her anxiety. In an audition, she recalls, she was told to cry. McCurdy said:
“I’m sitting in the waiting room mustering up all my sadness when something shifts in me. It feels strange.”
Her audition did not work out the way she wanted to. She told Debra that she did not want to continue acting. But her mother made McCurdy feel guilty about wanting to leave, and she continued acting.
During her time at “iCarly,” McCurdy says her relationship with Debra began to soften.
“I jump into Mom’s arms. She squeezes me. I’m elated … Everything’s going to be different now. Everything’s going to be better. Mom will finally be happy. Her dream has come true.”
Even in the show itself, McCurdy (Sam) never had a warm relationship with her mother until late in the “iCarly” episodes.
As RedState’s Kira Davis reported about the media ignoring Hollywood’s pedophilia problem, she highlighted Nickolodean’s Dan Schneider and his quiet exit from the network. This is another prime example of actors, producers, and people in high places thinking that they are above the law.
The EXPLOSIVE claim from writer @RealKiraDavis about former Nickelodeon creative guru Dan Schneider. pic.twitter.com/UBE5CUeBEK
— Wade (@wadewire) May 3, 2018
Some might not know this, but the creator of “iCarly” is Dan Schneider. McCurdy referred to the photographer as “Creator,” indicating she could very well be referring to Schneider.
Unfortunately, the reality is that Hollywood is not some fantasy land where everything is perfect, people are treated with respect, and there is no better place to be. The reality of Hollywood is stories like McCurdy’s, Rose McGowan’s, and so many others who had the courage to speak out — and those who have not spoken out yet but were abused by producers, colleagues, and others.
More should speak out about the abuse of Hollywood elitists and expose them as McCurdy did. Otherwise, these abuses and bribes to cover them up will continue.