These celebrity autobiographies will keep you hooked
Go beyond the glam and get real
Celebrities and memoirs – a pairing that’s often as predictable as a chai and biscuit. Is it bad? No. But the market is pretty saturated with different variations of digestive biscuits. However, just when we thought we’d seen it all, enter global pop icon, Britney Spears, wielding a pen as mighty as her microphone. With the recent release of her solo memoir (she previously published work with her mother, Lynne, as co-writer), The Woman In Me, after her controversial conservatorship was lifted, she unleashed a seismic wave of revelations that shook social media to its core (has anyone checked in on Justin Timberlake?). It’s not just glossy, rehearsed tales, but raw truths and unfiltered experiences that break through the glittering facade of fame. Perhaps celebrity memoirs have more to offer than we thought.
Amidst the chaos of red carpets and airport looks, there’s a trove of celebrity memoirs that pack a punch, offering a window into the lives of those who live under the unforgiving glare of the spotlight.
So, get ready to explore the narratives that go beyond the glossy covers, the ones that offer genuine insights, heartfelt truths, and maybe even a few laughs and tears along the way. From the raw honesty of Viola Davis and candid revelations in Neena Gupta’s book, to Trevor Noah offering cultural insights that resonate far beyond the realms of fame, these celebrity memoirs aren’t just good reads; they’re worth the shelf space, the dog-eared pages, and the late-night reading sessions that turn into dawn.
The celebrity memoirs you should add to your reading list
I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
For those who grew up watching Nickelodeon, McCurdy’s face will be a familiar one. Her memoir explores her complex relationship with her abusive mother, highlighting the emotional challenges and personal growth she experienced after her mother’s passing. She confronts many difficult subjects and lays them out raw for the world to read.
She navigates grief, complicated family dynamics and finding her own identity beyond the shadows of her upbringing. The headline itself is a brave move, perhaps putting into the public space something many in similar situations have thought but wouldn’t dare say out loud. This isn’t an easy read, but it’s one you won’t be able to put down.
Finding Me by Viola Davis
A deeply personal account by Davis, this book takes us back to the actor’s childhood, growing up in poverty in Rhode Island. Davis candidly shares her experiences with racism, poverty and the struggle for identity, and the impact these factors can have on your self-esteem and sense of belonging.
From her early theatre days to becoming an Oscar-winning actress, she doesn’t shy away from discussing the obstacles she encountered, both personally and professionally, navigating the industry as a woman of colour.
Sach Kahun Toh: An Autobiography by Neena Gupta
Reading this book feels like you’re sitting down for an intimate and candid conversation with Gupta, who opens up in her quintessential humour and self-deprecating style. Nothing is held back—from the ripples her unconventional choices, relationships and motherhood caused in society, to her return with a bang and second innings in the film industry.
It’s not pretty when you smash taboos, especially as a young unwed mother of that generation in India in the public eye, but Gupta does it with grace and lays her cards out on the table in this inspirational read.
Spare by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex
The schadenfreude cannot be denied in watching our erstwhile colonisers getting publicly roasted by one of their own. But cheap thrills aside, we saw the royal family like never before. While some things came as a shock (certain frost-bitten phalluses come to mind), others are just reminders of the mindset of a group that managed to take over and breakdown societies with self-righteousness.
Delve into his upbringing, his experiences as a member of the British royal family, memories of his beloved mother, military service and his life after stepping back from royal duties, alongside Meghan Markle.
Fresh Off the Boat: A Memoir by Eddie Huang
Adapted into a hit TV series, Huang’s is a captivating memoir about growing up as a Taiwanese American. Embracing the term ‘Fresh Off the Boat,’ often used for new immigrants, Huang confronts stereotypes, while navigating the clash between his Taiwanese heritage and American culture.
He openly recounts his challenges as an outsider, addressing racism and assimilation pressures, while preserving his identity. Huang’s storytelling, filled with humour and honesty, offers an unfiltered view of his struggles and triumphs, including his passion for food, which weaves through his personal narrative and cultural journey.
Love, Pamela by Pamela Anderson
It’s rare to meet someone who doesn’t know who Anderson is. Unfortunately, she has rarely had control over what you know about her. From being the ‘blonde bombshell’ on Baywatch whose posters adorned the walls of teenagers, to the being at the centre of a paparazzi scandal that shook the world—through it all, we didn’t really get to see who the real woman was. Until now.
Anderson’s is an unconventional memoir with a unique blend of prose, poetry and candid truths about her life experiences beyond the headlines.
Less sensational gossip and more life truths about parenting, relationships, our relationship with nature and more. Though the style may not be for everyone, it’s worth reading about Anderson in her own words for a change.
Trejo: My Life of Crime, Redemption and Hollywood by Danny Trejo
A gripping account of his tumultuous journey from a life entrenched in crime to becoming a respected Hollywood actor. In this memoir, Trejo reflects on his troubled past, opening up about addiction, criminal activities and incarceration. He doesn’t shy away from addressing the difficulties he faced growing up in a rough neighbourhood, his involvement in gangs, and the challenges of being in and out of the prison system.
What sets Trejo’s memoir apart is his incredible transformation and redemption story. He shares how he turned his life around while serving time in San Quentin State Prison, embracing sobriety, and finding a new path through education and self-reflection.
Trejo’s memoir doesn’t solely focus on his criminal past. It also sheds light on his journey toward becoming an actor and his challenges while carving a niche for himself in Hollywood. From his early roles as an extra to becoming an iconic figure in action films, Trejo’s story is one of resilience, determination and seizing opportunities.
Born A Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah
Trevor Noah was born in South Africa under apartheid, where race mingling was a crime. Noah’s experiences growing up as the child of a black Xhosa mother and a white Swiss father—a union that was illegal under apartheid laws—gave the book its title.
Noah navigates the complexities of his mixed-race identity, recounting the challenges, absurdities and injustices he faced due to the racial segregation and discrimination prevalent in South Africa at the time. Through a series of poignant, humorous and often heart-breaking stories, Noah shares his childhood anecdotes, exploring themes of racism, poverty, resilience and the power of laughter in the face of adversity.
The memoir isn’t just a reflection on personal experiences; it’s also a tribute to his mother, whose strength, love and wisdom, he says, shaped his outlook on life.
The Office BFFs by Jenna Fischer & Angela Kinsey
This book is like having a backstage pass to one of the most beloved TV shows. It’s filled with insider stories, humorous behind-the-scenes moments and heartfelt reflections on their time working together on the set of The Office.
Fischer and Kinsey, who portrayed Pam Beesly and Angela Martin on the show, respectively, share their experiences, anecdotes and enduring friendship, both on and off-screen. They offer readers a glimpse into the show’s making, sharing memorable episodes, on-set pranks, and personal connections with the cast and crew.
The Office BFFs is filled with warmth, humour and a genuine love for the show, making it a must-read for any fan seeking a closer look at the magic behind The Office.
Open by Andre Agassi
A classic memoir about the life of the tennis legend, both on and off the court. From his early years as a tennis prodigy to the intense upbringing and pressures imposed by his father, who was determined to shape him into a tennis champion, Agassi’s account is raw and vulnerable.
Perhaps what touched every reader when the book first came out was the honesty about his love-hate relationship with tennis—the self-doubt and conflicting emotions as he delves into the triumphs and tribulations of his life.
Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology by Leah Remini
Little was known about the inner workings of Scientology—by design—and Remini’s book blew the lid off the whole thing. She recounts her years of growing up within and eventually leaving the Church of Scientology, the sense of belonging it gave her, as well as the pressures and expectations imposed by the organisation. Her disillusionment with Scientology, and decision to leave everything and everyone she knew behind, is a gripping read.
It was a brave move to put these words on paper given the alleged ways in which the Church goes after dissenters. And Remini’s doesn’t hold back in exposing the darker side of her life, discussing alleged abuse, control mechanisms and the impact on the personal freedoms of Scientologists.
Worthy by Jada Pinkett Smith
If you’ve opened social media at all over the past four months, you have definitely learnt a lot more about the Smith family than you’ve ever desired.
But there is a thrill in knowing the ins and outs of someone’s dirty laundry, especially a famous family, even if you don’t want to admit it.
So if you love piping hot tea and celebrity gossip, then you’ll love this one. Smith goes over everything, from her connection with Tupac, her secret separation from Will Smith, the infamous Oscar’s slap, doing psychedelics with her kids and oh-so much more.
Beyond the ‘drama’ that the gossip pages love, Smith talks about her unconventional upbringing, the struggle to make ends meet in Baltimore and an even more unconventional marriage and family.
