This is a safe space, so let’s admit it: we’ve all kind of wanted to read someone else’s diary before. You know, to get rumors cleared, tea spilled, or just to try to understand them a little bit better. Aside from people in my personal life (don’t act like you haven’t thought about it, too), a few celeb’s diaries are what I’d love to get my hands on. Not in a weird way, like to sell its contents to TMZ or pass any kind of judgment, but simply to get to know a more realistic version of these people that we talk about non-stop but know so little about. Well, lucky for us, celebrity memoirs do just that.
Whether it’s a deep dive into their personal life and upbringing, obstacles they’ve faced, juicy tell-alls of Hollywood drama, or anything in between, celebrity memoirs are packed to the brim with content that’ll keep you sucked in just as much as a good mystery or true crime read. It feels like every celeb and their mom has written one at this point, so we’ve gathered some top-tier picks to help narrow down the search. With summer finally, here, you won’t be short of any 10/10 beach reads to enjoy this season. Here are 20 celebrity memoirs you need to add to your reading list ASAP:
Pageboy
ELLIOT PAGE
As he navigated criticism and abuse from some of the most powerful people in Hollywood, a painful past, and a society dead set on forcing him into a binary, Elliot Page often stayed silent, unsure of what to do. Until enough was enough. The Oscar-nominated star who captivated the world with his performance in Juno finally shares his story in a groundbreaking memoir about love, family, fame, and stepping into who we truly are with strength and joy.
Paris: The Memoir
PARIS HILTON
Paris Hilton is the most recognizable influencer in the world, but getting to this point was anything but easy. This powerful memoir follows her story of growing up in the spotlight and the struggles she faced behind closed doors, detailing the evolution of celebrity culture and emphasizing that everything is almost never as it seems. But most importantly, she shows us her path to peace while she challenges us to question the world’s role in her story and in our very own.
Spare
PRINCE HARRY THE DUKE OF SUSSEX
Before losing his mother, Prince Harry was known as the carefree one, the happy-go-lucky Spare to the more serious Heir. However, grief changed everything. He struggled at school, experienced anger and loneliness, and because he blamed the press for his mother’s death, he struggled to accept life in the spotlight. He went on to find discipline and peace in his life, but he still struggled to find love—until he met Meghan. The world was swept away by the couple’s cinematic romance, but from the beginning, Harry and Meghan were preyed upon by the press, subjected to waves of abuse, racism, and lies. Watching his wife suffer, their safety and mental health were at risk, so Harry saw no other way to prevent the tragedy of history repeating itself but to flee the Royal Family. For the first time, Prince Harry tells his own story, chronicling his journey with raw, unflinching honesty and diving into a life of love over grief and power.
I’m No Philosopher, But I Got Thoughts
KRISTIN CHENOWETH
From television actress, Broadway star, and New York Times bestselling author, Kristin Chenoweth, comes an inspiring memoir featuring philosophical-ish musings on connection, creativity, loss, love, faith, and closure. Just like Kristin’s grandmother inspired her to trust her heart and develop her own belief system, this memoir will inspire you to develop your own life philosophies, as you journey through some of Kristin’s most vulnerable and humorous personal stories.
Beyond the Wand
TOM FELTON
From the magical moments on set as Draco Malfoy to the challenges of growing up in the spotlight, we get a backstage pass into Tom Felton’s life on and off the big screen. His adolescence was anything but ordinary. His early rise to fame in beloved films like The Borrowers catapulted him into the limelight, but nothing could prepare him for what was to come after he landed the iconic role of Draco Malfoy, the bleached blonde villain of the Harry Potter movies. For the next 10 years, he was at the center of a huge pop culture phenomenon and yet, in between filming, he would go back to being a normal teenager trying to fit into a normal school. Tom shares his experience growing up as part of the wizarding world while also trying to navigate the real world in this entertaining, funny, and poignant must-read for any Harry Potter fan.
Down The Drain
JULIA FOX
Julia Fox is famous for many things: her captivating acting, such as her breakout role in the film Uncut Gems, her trendsetting style (including bleached eyebrows, exaggerated eyeshadow, and cutout dresses), and her mastery of social media, where she entertains and educates her millions of followers. But, all these share the trait for which she is most famous: being unapologetically herself. This commitment to authenticity has never been more on display than in this beautifully written memoir in which she dives into her upbringing, inspirations, lessons learned, and the unique transition from girlhood to womanhood while being a spectacle of the public eye.
I’m Glad My Mom Died
JENNETTE MCCURDY
Now if that’s not a title that grabs your attention, I literally don’t know what will. Jennette McCurdy, most famous for her beloved role as Sam on “iCarly,” talks about her struggles as a former child actor—touching on addiction, eating disorders, and of course her very complicated relationship with her mother. This memoir will have you crying on one page and cracking up on the next as it indulges you in the beautifully written story of how McCurdy found herself and retook control over her life.
Dear Girls
ALI WONG
Imagine if your mom wrote a book compiled of letters addressed to you in which she reveals her most wild life stories and all the valuable lessons she’s learned from them. That’d be unreal, right? Well, that’s exactly what Asian-American comedian Ali Wong does in her hilarious and heartfelt book written for her two baby girls. They’ll probably have to wait until they’re 18 to indulge, but it’ll definitely be worth the wait.
Over The Top
JONATHAN VAN NESS
If you fell in love with Jonathon watching his lovable, larger than life personality on “Queer Eye,” you absolutely must snag a copy of “Over the Top.” This memoir uncovers the pain and passion it took for them to end up becoming the model of self-love and acceptance (and slay-ness) we’ve come to know and love. Jonathan shares never-before-told secrets and reveals sides of himself fans have never seen in this genuine, raw, and 10/10 read.
Is Everyone Hanging Out With Me? (And Other Concerns)
MINDY KALING
Actress, screenwriter, and comedian Mindy Kaling invites readers on a tour of her life and her hot takes on romance, friendship, and being a woman in Hollywood in this memoir that makes you feel as if you’re just chatting over coffee with your BFF. From reminiscing on her squeaky-clean childhood to thoughts on body image, topics of all kinds are talked about through the charismatic tone and girl next door vibe we all know and love.
Bossypants
TINA FEY
One of the most well-known female comedians of all time, Tina Fey, gives us an equally funny and intriguing run down of her life from beginning to now in this humorous memoir. Starting from her childhood as a nerdy, smart-mouthed girl all the way to how she found such great success in show business, we get to hear from Tina Fey in a way we’ve never been able to before.
Unprotected
BILLY PORTER
Emmy, Grammy, and Tony award winner Billy Porter (SO close to EGOT status—you got this, Billy) recounts what it was like to grow up Black and gay in America, and his resilient determination to overcome the barriers set before him and discover his talents and voice. A multitalented, multifaceted icon gives us one of the most highly praised celebrity memoirs to date with his powerful voice and important messages.
Finding Me
VIOLA DAVIS
In this incredibly written and revealing memoir, Oscar-winning actress Viola Davis shares an intimate look at her childhood and how she grew into the woman she is today, including what it was like growing up in poverty with an abusive father and healing along the way to becoming the Viola Davis we know now.
Wildflower
DREW BARRYMORE
While Drew Barrymore’s first memoir recounts her younger days of fame and darker life moments, “Wildflower” meets an older, more confident Barrymore reflecting on her larger-than-life existence, from being emancipated from her parents and paving her own distinct path. It’s a story of how she successfully rescued herself and created a legacy of her own—a tear-jerker, for sure.
The Princess Diarist
CARRIE FISHER
“Star Wars” fanatics, this one is for you. Entertainment industry icon Carrie Fisher tells an intimate, hilarious, and revealing recollection of what really happened behind the scenes of one of the most famous film sets of all time, the very first “Star Wars” movie.
The Office BFFs: Tales of The Office from Two Best Friends Who Were There
JENNA FISCHER & ANGELA KINSEY
“The Office” is one of the most beloved sitcoms of all time, and stars of the show Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey put aside their on-screen rivalry to become real life besties and create this sweet recollection of memories and never before heard details of the making of this cult-favorite series. Imagine getting to write a book with your BFF about all of your most memorable times together—the dream, really.
The Last Black Unicorn
TIFFANY HADDISH
We all know that comedian and actress Tiffany Haddish is undeniably hilarious, but in this memoir, we learn that she had to be funny at an early age out of necessity, as it helped her get by in school and the foster care system. She writes so genuinely about how she came from nothing to become one of the most successful comedians in Hollywood, and how her old survivor tactic led her to her dream career.
Yearbook
SETH ROGEN
Iconic comedian and newly renowned pottery artist Seth Rogen is basically the cool dad of Hollywood, and this incredibly funny take on a memoir shows just that. He shares a collection of personal essays and hilarious anecdotes about doing stand-up comedy as a teen, attending Jewish summer camp, moving to LA, and some of his favorite high stories, obviously.
Making a Scene
CONSTANCE WU
Wildly talented actress Constance Wu, best known for her roles in “Crazy Rich Asians” and “Fresh Off the Boat,” delivers a powerful and poignant new book about family, romance, sex, shame, trauma, and how she found her voice on the stage as an Asian American woman.
My Body
EMILY RATAJKOWSKI
In this unexpectedly brilliant memoir, model, actress, and activist Emily Ratajkowski talks about her own experiences navigating complicated and sometimes sexually abusive environments as a hypersexualized woman working in entertainment with crucial messages about feminism, power, and gender woven throughout.
