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Jennette McCurdy says she was pressured to try alcohol while underage to give the 'iCarly' cast 'a little edge' like the 'Victorious' stars

On the left: Jennette McCurdy and Miranda Cosgrove in "iCarly." On the right: Ariana Grande and Victoria Justice in "Victorious."
On the left: Jennette McCurdy and Miranda Cosgrove in "iCarly." On the right: Ariana Grande and Victoria Justice in "Victorious." Nickelodeon

  • Jennette McCurdy said that she was pressured to drink alcohol at 18 years old. 
  • In her memoir, McCurdy said that a man, whom she referred to as The Creator, told her that it would help her image.
  • McCurdy said he told her, "The 'iCarly' kids are so wholesome. We need to give you guys a little edge."
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"iCarly" star Jennette McCurdy said that she was encouraged to drink alcohol as a minor to give her an "edge" like the cast of fellow Nickelodeon show "Victorious."

The actress wrote about her time working for the network in her new memoir, "I'm Glad My Mom Died," set for release on Tuesday. McCurdy starred in "iCarly" and its spin-off "Sam & Cat," both of which were created by TV producer Dan Schneider.

In an excerpt published by Vanity Fair on Friday, McCurdy recalled a man — referred to only as "The Creator" —urging her to take a sip of an alcoholic beverage.

"I've never had alcohol before. And I'm only 18. Couldn't I get in trouble?" McCurdy said.

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In response, McCurdy said that she was told, "No one's looking, Jennetter. You're fine."

According to the actor, The Creator continued: "The 'Victorious' kids get drunk together all the time. The 'iCarly' kids are so wholesome. We need to give you guys a little edge."

Jennette McCurdy, Miranda Cosgrove, and Nathan Kress in "iCarly."
Jennette McCurdy, Miranda Cosgrove, and Nathan Kress in "iCarly." Nickelodeon

"iCarly" starred McCurdy and Miranda Cosgrove as best friends Sam Puckett and Carly Shay, respectively, who launch a hit web series while in high school. The show ran for six seasons between 2007 and 2012.

"Victorious," another sitcom created by Schneider, follows a teen named Tori Vega (Victoria Justice) who attends a performing-arts high school. The series, which costarred Ariana Grande and Elizabeth Gillies, lasted for four seasons between 2010 and 2013. 

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The success of both series resulted in a 2011 crossover TV movie titled "iParty With Victorious" as well as the spin-off "Sam & Cat" starring McCurdy and Grande. 

In her memoir, McCurdy said, "The Creator always compares us 'iCarly' kids to the kids on his other hit show, 'Victorious.' I think he thinks it'll make us try harder."

From left: Matt Bennett, Avan Jogia, Elizabeth Gillies, Leon Thomas III, Ariana Grande, and Victoria Justice in "Victorious."
From left: Matt Bennett, Avan Jogia, Elizabeth Gillies, Leon Thomas III, Ariana Grande, and Victoria Justice in "Victorious." Nickelodeon

"I don't know if drinking is what gives a person edge," the actor recalled telling him. 

McCurdy said that The Creator's drink looked like "some sort of whiskey mixed with coffee and cream" and he told her, again, to take "one sip."

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"The Creator hands me his glass and I take a sip. I hate it," McCurdy recalled.

McCurdy said that she fibbed about the drink tasting good and he called her out saying: "Don't lie to me. I don't like when you lie to me."

McCurdy said that The Creator was satisfied with her when she admitted that she hated the beverage. 

"I've done well. I've pleased him. Mission accomplished," McCurdy wrote in her memoir, explaining that at the time, she had been having more frequent dinners with The Creator amid a contract for her spin-off series.

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"The Creator is doing the thing that I've heard from my costars he does with every new star of a show that he's making — he takes you under his wing," she said. "You're his favorite. For now. I like being his favorite for now. I feel like I'm doing something right."

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