Jennette McCurdy Launches Bold Novel Half His Age

Jennette McCurdy’s journey from beloved child star to acclaimed author has been nothing short of remarkable—and, at times, deeply personal. On January 20, 2026, McCurdy appeared on Live with Kelly and Mark to celebrate the release of her much-anticipated debut novel, Half His Age. The conversation, lively and candid, ranged from the physical toll of writing to the emotional depths mined in her new work, offering a window into McCurdy’s evolution as a storyteller—and as a person.

Mark Consuelos, co-host of the morning show, set the tone by recalling the massive success of McCurdy’s 2022 memoir, I’m Glad My Mom Died. He noted that the book was a “huge bestseller,” coming out just before Kelly Ripa’s own hit debut, Live Wire: Long-Winded Short Stories. Ripa chimed in with a laugh about the physical cost of penning her memoir: “I wore out the fabric” on her desk chair, she admitted, and even confessed that “my rear end changed shape” after so many hours at her desk. McCurdy, ever quick with a quip, replied, “I saw this video and you commented on, like, a pillow getting worn out, and I was laughing so hard because it’s such a truth. You just wear out your pillows because you’re leaning against them and shifting.”

But it wasn’t just pillows and chairs that bore the brunt of their creative efforts. Ripa’s revelation about her changing physique drew a knowing nod from McCurdy. “Yesterday I was like trying to—you know, press is rare for me, so beforehand I’ll think that I can change three years of not working out with 12 squats,” McCurdy joked. “Maybe I can make a difference. But for sure, the butt changes.” Ripa teased back, “But you know, I’m really proud of you because my butt changing has stopped me from ever writing again, while you went right into your second book.” With a smile, McCurdy replied, “The butt’s still changing.”

Physical transformations aside, McCurdy’s literary journey has been marked by a willingness to confront difficult truths. Her memoir, I’m Glad My Mom Died, made waves upon its 2022 release. According to FilmoGaz, the book has sold over three million copies and spent more than 80 weeks on the New York Times Best Seller list. Its unflinching look at a childhood shaped by maternal abuse resonated with readers and critics alike. The memoir’s impact has only grown, with Apple TV+ currently adapting it into a series starring Jennifer Aniston as McCurdy’s mother—a casting choice that McCurdy herself has described as deeply meaningful. “It would be a disservice… for anybody to be a part of it for any other reason,” she told FilmoGaz, emphasizing her desire for authenticity in telling her story.

Yet McCurdy’s ambitions extend well beyond memoir. At 33, she’s determined to carve out a new identity as a novelist and filmmaker. Half His Age, released in January 2026, marks her first foray into fiction. The novel explores the fraught relationship between a 17-year-old girl, Waldo, and her married English teacher—a provocative premise that McCurdy insists is not meant to shock, but to tell the truth. “I’m never writing something that’s intentionally provocative,” she explains. The explicit content, she says, is simply a reflection of the reality she wants to portray, and she hopes it will spark essential conversations about power dynamics and consent.

The story is rooted in McCurdy’s own experiences and introspection. She began writing Half His Age at age 24, while traveling in Japan, inspired by her own first serious relationship with a much older partner. After the runaway success of her memoir, she returned to the manuscript, determined to see it through. She even conducted research into the modern high school experience to ensure authenticity in her depiction of Waldo’s world. For McCurdy, the process was both cathartic and empowering. “Writing was where I found my voice and… my power,” she told FilmoGaz.

Her commitment to truth-telling is perhaps most evident in her approach to family dynamics. McCurdy has long drawn from her own complicated relationship with her mother, and those themes are woven throughout her work. “I’ll always write mother-daughter dynamics in a complicated, messy way,” she said, reflecting on the echoes of her own life in her fiction. In Half His Age, Waldo’s relationship with her mother is as central as the controversial romance at the heart of the novel, offering readers a nuanced look at the ways family shapes identity and choices.

McCurdy’s creative ambitions don’t stop at the printed page. She has written the script for the film adaptation of Half His Age and plans to direct the project herself. She’s also deeply involved in the Apple TV+ adaptation of her memoir, serving as co-showrunner and directing several episodes. Maintaining control over her stories is paramount. “These are my stories,” she stressed, “and I want to make sure they’re told the right way.”

Her career as a writer is all the more striking given her origins as a Nickelodeon star. Fans first met McCurdy as Sam Puckett on iCarly, where she played the loyal and irreverent sidekick to Miranda Cosgrove’s Carly Shay. In a delightful twist of fate, McCurdy’s first encounter with Jimmy Fallon came not on a real talk show, but in a fictional crossover episode of iCarly—the 2012 special “iShock America.” In the episode, the iCarly gang visits Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, only to spark a national scandal when a game goes awry. In reality, McCurdy would make her actual debut on The Tonight Show with Fallon years later, on January 20, 2026, to promote her new novel.

Since her days on children’s television, McCurdy has worked hard to distance herself from her acting past, focusing instead on storytelling that is honest, raw, and often uncomfortable. She’s spent years honing her craft, embracing longer-form writing and the discipline it demands. She often writes for hours at her home in Pasadena, California, channeling her experiences into stories that resonate with readers and viewers alike.

Looking ahead, McCurdy shows no signs of slowing down. With multiple projects in the works—including her directorial debut and ongoing involvement in the adaptation of her memoir—she’s determined to keep pushing boundaries, both creative and personal. Through it all, she remains steadfast in her belief that writing can be a source of healing and empowerment. As she told FilmoGaz, “Writing was where I found my voice and… my power.”

For Jennette McCurdy, the journey from child star to bestselling author and filmmaker has been paved with challenges, reinvention, and a relentless pursuit of truth. As she invites readers into new chapters of her life and work, one thing is clear: she’s just getting started.