Former iCarly star Jennette McCurdy has made a candid revelation about undergoing fertility preservation while simultaneously expressing her current ambivalence towards motherhood, a perspective deeply influenced by her traumatic upbringing.
Egg Freezing as an 'Insurance Policy'
The 33-year-old actress and author disclosed on the January 7 episode of the Call Her Daddy podcast that she chose to freeze her eggs in September of last year. She described the procedure as a pragmatic 'insurance policy' against future regret, despite being in a nine-year relationship where neither she nor her partner currently desires children.
'Because I don’t know if I’m going to change my mind,' McCurdy explained to host Alex Cooper. 'We’ve discussed it and neither of us really want kids, but we are also open to changing our minds... I didn’t want to change my mind 10 years from now and it’d be too late.'
A Childhood That Shaped Her View of Motherhood
The conversation turned deeply personal when Cooper asked how McCurdy's childhood influenced her ideas about parenthood. The actress, whose 2022 memoir I’m Glad My Mom Died detailed her allegedly abusive and controlling relationship with her late mother Debra, was unequivocal in her immediate response.
'I don’t want kids if that’s what you’re asking,' she stated plainly. She later elaborated, 'I know I don’t want kids at this point in my life. I’m also open to wanting kids at some point.'
McCurdy expressed surprise at Cooper's admission that her own desire for children had changed over time, remarking, 'That’s interesting, because most people know. I feel like most people know early on and they stick with that.'
The Practicalities of the Fertility Process
McCurdy shared detailed insights into her egg freezing journey, which began with a discouraging consultation two years prior. A Beverly Hills doctor allegedly frightened her by drawing anatomical diagrams and stating 'the best time to do this was two years ago.'
However, in the summer of 2025, she sought a second opinion. 'I went to a different doctor, and they seemed much more comforting. I felt much more safer in that environment, and I thought, "Okay, I’m gonna go for it."'
Contrary to warnings about emotional volatility and severe mood swings, McCurdy found the process 'really straightforward and simple.' A key factor was having a nurse visit her home nightly to administer the necessary hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) injections to trigger ovulation, which she said alleviated significant stress.
Looking Forward: New Projects with Jennifer Aniston
McCurdy's appearance on the podcast also served to promote her new novel, Half His Age. Meanwhile, a major television adaptation of her memoir is in development for Apple+.
The series, which she is writing and showrunning, will feature Jennifer Aniston in the role of McCurdy's mother, Debra. Aniston, 56, has spoken of her immediate connection to the material, citing similarities between their upbringings.
'When it came across my desk as an option, an offer to play this character, I was pretty much immediately intrigued and flattered and excited,' the Friends star said. She added with profound respect for McCurdy, 'The fact that she's the young woman that she is, having lived that life, is nothing short of remarkable.'
While no release date has been set, Aniston confirmed the project is moving forward, stating, 'It's going to be wonderful. It's going to be pretty great to start shooting it.'
