Jennette McCurdy Claims Nickelodeon Offered Her $300,000 in Hush Money

Former iCarly star Jennette McCurdy has written a memoir titled "I'm Glad My Mom Died," in which she details her life as a child star, her relationship with her mother, and her experiences with Nickelodeon.

In the book, which hits bookstores August 9, McCurdy details the humiliations and mistreatment she endured while growing up in the public eye. According to the New York Times, McCurdy writes about being photographed in a bikini at a wardrobe fitting and being encouraged to drink alcohol by a person she simply refers to as the "Creator."

Although she doesn't reveal the Creator's identity, she may be referring to iCarly creator Dan Schneider, who left the network in 2018 amid rumors that he was "verbally abusive" and "difficult to work with." Some who worked with him also said they felt "uncomfortable when he frequently asked an employee from the costume department for shoulder and neck massages, or texted child actors outside of work hours," according to a Times article published in June 2021.

When McCurdy was told that she was getting an iCarly spinoff, she writes in her book, she assumed she'd be getting her own show but instead got a co-starring role alongside Ariana Grande in Sam & Cat.

McCurdy claims that Nickelodeon unfairly prevented her from pursuing opportunities outside the show, while Grande was allowed to do other work.

"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," McCurdy writes. "That was the moment I broke."

After both iCarly and Sam & Cat ended, McCurdy says she turned down a $300,000 offer from Nickelodeon in exchange for never speaking publicly about her experiences at the network.

Primetimer has reached out to Nickelodeon for comment but had not heard back by the time of publication.

iCarly and Sam & Cat are both available to stream on Netflix.

Deena ElGenaidi's writing has been featured in Nylon, MTV News, Insider, The AV Club, and more. You can follow her on Twitter @deenaelg.