Freida McFadden Dismisses Outlandish Speculations About Her True Identity
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Freida McFadden has stepped up to address the far-fetched rumours swirling around her concealed identity. The renowned author, who also practises as a doctor, chooses to write her novels under a pseudonym to safeguard her privacy in everyday life.
In a recent appearance on Jenna Bush Hager’s Open Book podcast aired on December 11, 2025, Freida McFadden candidly tackled the speculations surrounding her undisclosed persona. When quizzed about the peculiar hearsay, McFadden, aged 45, remarked, “Some of them are just so out there. Some of it is great. I think every author gets ‘AI is writing her books,’ even though most of them were written before AI. One that’s very funny is people saying that I’m three men, and I think that’s hilarious.”
The Housemaid author further indulged in the amusing anecdotes surrounding her enigmatic persona. She recalled, “I saw a post somebody made where somebody said that in my author photo, my cleavage was photoshopped. The funniest part was that in the post, he said he discussed it with his wife. And they had a whole conversation about how my cleavage is photoshopped and why.”
McFadden also delved into the challenges she faces while maintaining a low profile during promotional activities for her work. Expressing her apprehensions, she disclosed, “It’s very hard… I see all these authors doing these huge book tours, which I never do, and I feel so bad that I never do it. But I’m so scared of all of this stuff. I get these lovely, lovely invitations, and I turn a lot of them down.”
The talented author also discussed her aspirations to engage with her readers more intimately. She shared, “I sometimes cry because they’re so nice. I so wish I was the sort of person who could jet off to Paris and give a talk … some of the stuff, I wish I could do it because it’s just so cool.”
During the podcast, when Bush Hager inquired if McFadden would consider participating in larger events, the author expressed her uncertainties, stating, “I don’t know. I just get really scared and I think it’s a mental health thing I need to protect… I get very anxious and I want to be healthy because I want to keep writing books, which is what I love doing.”
In addition to her prolific writing career, McFadden also serves as a doctor specialising in brain disorders, showcasing a fine balance between her dual vocations. Opening up about the intricacies of managing her demanding schedule, she revealed, “Some people go into writing hoping to quit their day job, but I didn’t do it [for that reason]. I was just having fun.”
Despite her efforts to segregate her writing and medical pursuits, McFadden occasionally finds herself recognised in the hospital setting, blurring the lines between her two worlds. She dismissed any claims of being in witness protection but emphasised her desire to remain focused on her medical practice without the distraction of undue attention on her authorial endeavours.
As the acclaimed author gears up for the release of her upcoming book “Dear Debbie” on January 27, 2026, and the premiere of the film adaptation of “The Housemaid” on December 19, fans eagerly anticipate delving into McFadden’s captivating narratives across various mediums.