(Fwrd Axis) — Actress Jennette McCurdy is speaking out about her time at Nickelodeon, including some eye-popping allegations against the network in her new book I’m Glad My Mom Died.
In her new memoir, the 30-year-old actress detailed not being allowed the same privileges as her co-star Ariana Grande to being offered $300,000 if she agreed to never speak out about her experiences while at the network.
In an excerpt published by Vanity Fair from McCurdy’s new book, she wrote about an unnamed man, referred to as “the Creator,” who allegedly pressured her to drink while underage, and gave her massages that made her uncomfortable. While “the Creator” is not named in the book, the speculation is that McCurdy is referring to Dan Schneider, who created hit shows like Victorious, iCarly, and Sam & Cat.
“The Victorious kids get drunk together all the time. The iCarly kids are so wholesome. We need to give you guys a little edge,” McCurdy recalls “the Creator” as saying.
“The Creator always compares us, iCarly kids, to the kids on his other hit show, Victorious. I think he thinks it’ll make us try harder,” McCurdy wrote.
McCurdy alleged “the Creator” had a two-face personality that was “generous and over-the-top complimentary” at one moment and “mean-spirited, controlling, and terrifying” that could make “grown men and women cry with his insults and degradation.”
Schneider was investigated by ViacomCBS prior to his departure from Nickelodeon and found he could be verbally abusive at times to coworkers, with tantrums and angry emails a part of the claims. Those interviewed said the director would request shoulder and neck massages and had a habit of texting child actors outside of work hours.
“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,” Schneider told The New York Times in an interview last year.
“I never interacted with actors in any way, texting or otherwise, that should make anyone uncomfortable,” he added.
McCurdy wrote how she learned Sam & Cat had been canceled and was offered $300,000 as a “thank-you gift” as long as she agreed never to talk publicly about her experience at Nickelodeon. She chose not to accept it.
“What the f**k? Nickelodeon is offering me three hundred thousand dollars in hush money to not talk publicly about my experience on the show? My personal experience of The Creator’s abuse?” McCurdy wrote. “This is a network with shows made for children. Shouldn’t they have some sort of moral compass? Shouldn’t they at least try to report to some sort of ethical standard?”
Grande was allowed to pursue work opportunities outside the show but McCurdy was not, she says that is what would break her.
“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 wrote.
Other topics covered in the book include McCurdy’s eating disorder, the shocking final days at the network, and her relationship with her mother.
“I know if my mom were alive, I’d still have an eating disorder,” McCurdy shared. “It was only distance from her that allowed me to get healthy.”
