Jennette McCurdy Reflects on Age-Gap Relationship

Jennette McCurdy recently shared her thoughts on a past relationship where she dated a man twice her age when she was just 18. This revelation came as she promoted her debut film, which is based on her own experiences and titled “Half His Age.”

McCurdy explained that at the time, she felt justified in dating older men, believing herself to be unusually mature and independent. “I thought I was an adult, and he was so intelligent that this seemed normal,” she reflected. She recalled feeling special, thinking she connected better with older individuals than her peers. “Younger people just didn’t get me,” she added during her appearance on the podcast “Call Her Daddy.”

She further elaborated on how her then-boyfriend utilized her perception of maturity as a way to justify the age difference. “He would say things like, ‘You’re so grown up; you can’t talk to anyone like this.’ Looking back, I’m really embarrassed by that. It’s humiliating to realize he used my maturity as a manipulation tactic,” McCurdy admitted.

Podcast host Alexandra Cooper chimed in, noting that comments about a woman’s maturity can indeed be a “red flag.” They both agreed that in such situations, it’s crucial for people around the young woman to step in and provide support. “If a man is calling a woman mature for her age, stop and protect that young woman,” Cooper emphasized.

The former Nickelodeon star also discussed how her boyfriend disguised the power imbalance in their relationship by making her feel as if she was in control. “He made it seem like it was all my choice, which was misleading. If you’re feeling powerless, you might grab onto any belief of power you’re offered, even if your gut tells you otherwise,” McCurdy said.

Her upcoming novel is an adaptation of her memoir, “I’m Glad My Mom Died,” which touches on her childhood trauma following her mother’s passing in 2013 after battling cancer. The memoir explored her early foray into acting, heavily influenced by her mother’s encouragement. McCurdy is well-known for her roles in Nickelodeon’s “iCarly” and “Sam & Cat.”

McCurdy also revealed struggles with eating disorders and anxiety, which stemmed from her relationship with her mother. She described an emotional encounter when she tried to express her desire to quit acting. “When I told my mom I wanted to stop, her reaction was intense,” she recalled. The memory remains vivid for McCurdy, encapsulating the emotional complexities of her upbringing.