Jennette McCurdy didn’t hold back when writing her newly released book, “I’m Glad My Mom Died.” The Nickelodeon child actress details her life in her memoir – from the toxic relationship she had with her mom to wanting to quit the industry and everything in between. She also discusses her struggles with addiction and eating disorders and alleged abuse on the set of the show that made her a household name – “iCarly.”
Jennette McCurdy – InstagramOpening the Conversation About “The Creator”
Ahead of the book’s release, Vanity Fair published an excerpt in which the actress, 30, discusses a relationship with someone she refers to as “The Creator.” The speculation among many is “The Creator” is the show’s creator and producer, Dan Schneider. In the excerpt from her book released on August 9, she claims that “The Creator” pressured her to drink while underage and massaged her while on set. McCurdy also claims that Nickelodeon offered her $300,000 to keep it all hush-hush.
“Come on, take a sip.”
“No thanks.”
“Come on.”
“I’ve never had alcohol before. And I’m only eighteen. Couldn’t I get in trouble?”
“No one’s looking, Jennetter. You’re fine.”
“I dunno.”
“The ‘Victorious’ kids get drunk together all the time. The ‘iCarly’ kids are so wholesome. We need to give you guys a little edge.”
“I don’t know if drinking is what gives a person edge.”
I look at The Creator’s drink. He picks it up and sloshes it around.
It’s some sort of whiskey mixed with coffee and cream. I do like coffee. “One sip.”
“Okay.”
The Creator hands me his glass and I take a sip. I hate it.
“It’s great.”
“Don’t lie to me. I don’t like when you lie to me.”
“I hate it.”
“That’s better, Jennetter.”
MegaWhat it was Like on Set for the Young Actress
The “Sam And Cat” star claimed that “The Creator” compared the stars from “iCarly” and one of his other shows “Victorious” all the time in the hopes that it would make the “iCarly” stars try harder. The book also details many other accusations on Schneider’s behavior. “The Creator is doing the thing that I’ve heard from many co-stars he does with every new star of a show that he’s making – takes you under his wing,” she wrote in the book. “You’re his favorite. For now. I like being his favorite for now. I feel like I’m doing something right.”
She later writes about how “The Creator” got into trouble with the network over “allegations of emotional abuse” and that she felt a punishment was “a long time coming.” At that point, he was no longer allowed to be on set with the actors.
MegaThe Network and Schneider Parted Ways
Back in March 2018 Deadline reported that Nickelodeon parted ways with Schneider. “Following many conversations together about next directions and future opportunities, Nickelodeon and our long-time creative partner Dan Schneider/Schneider’s Bakery have agreed to not extend the current deal,” Nickelodeon and Schneider said in a joint statement to Deadline. “Since several Schneider’s Bakery projects are wrapping up, both sides agreed that this is a natural time for Nickelodeon and Schneider’s Bakery to pursue other opportunities and projects.”
Schneider and his team have created multiple hit shows over the years for the network – “iCarly,” “Drake & Josh,” “Kenan & Kel,” “Victorious,” “Sam and Cat,” “Zoey 101,” and “Henry Danger.” Along with all the success he brought to the network, there was a lot of rumors and suspicion over how the young stars were treated by Schneider, especially the female stars. Alongside abuse allegations, there were issues with inflated budgets, long production days, and Schneider’s temper issues.
ViacomCBS investigated Schneider after he left the network but found no evidence of sexual misconduct. They did, however, say that there could have been verbal abuse towards others on set. Schneider continues to deny any abuse allegations saying to the New York Times in 2021 “I couldn’t, and I wouldn’t have the long-term friendships and continued loyalty from so many reputable people if I’d mistreated my actors of any age, especially minors.”
MEGASupport from her Co-Star
“iCarly” costar Miranda Cosgrove said she didn’t realize all that was going on behind the scenes with her on-screen best friend. She recently told the New York Times, “When you’re young, you’re so in your own head. You can’t imagine that people around you are having much harder struggles. You don’t expect things like that from the person in the room who’s making everyone laugh.”
