15 Juiciest Celeb Tell-All Books & Their Harsh AF Reviews
Everyone loves their fair share of drama. From "OITNB" to "Moonlight", Drama films and TV shows are serious presentations or stories with settings or life situations that portray realistic characters in conflict with either themselves, others, or forces of nature. A dramatic motion picture shows us human beings at their best, their worst, and everything in-between. Thus, for those that prefer drama at it's finest… the meat n' potatoes… the whole kit and caboodle - that's where you want to get your hands on a tell-all book.
Tell-all books do just that - TELL ALL! Don't you just love the idea of getting an in-depth insider viewpoint straight from the horse's mouth? It's rare we get such an intimate display from the celebrity's perception. Several celebrities have released memoirs that have told us some of their deepest darkest secrets, shocking revelations and compelling behind-the-scenes events. Their books have provided us with all of the dirt, juice and tea that one can bare to stand. The one advantage tell-all books have over dramatic TV shows and/or films is that they're filled with truths and provide you with nothing but facts! Facts according to the celeb, that is. Therefore, get your Kindle's out and get ready to assume the 15 Juiciest Celeb Tell-All Books (And Their Harsh AF Reviews, lol).
15 Brandi Glanville: Drinking & Tweeting: And Other Brandi Blunders
Brandi Glanville's tell-all, Drinking & Tweeting: And Other Brandi Blunders, summarized her ex-husband Eddie Cibrian's affair with LeAnn Rimes and even v**inal rejuvenation! Brandi gives the scoop on one of the biggest divorces of the decade, since her husband of 8 years abandoned her and their two sons to marry Rimes. Not only does Brandi spill the beans about her side of the breakup, the television personality/author/former model shares the improbable wild ride that took her from a life in the ghetto to Hollywood's most elite circles. Brandi discusses how she escaped a rough neighborhood on the outskirts of Sacramento and stumbled into a successful career that swept her into a world of Paris Fashion Weeks, private jets, and uncircumcised schlongs.
As you can imagine, the memoir made for a good read; even so, some individuals felt Glanville could of saved herself some trouble by leaving this book nonexistent. pegw0922: "Trash! Don't waste your time or money!" Kace: "The best part of this book was seeing Lisa Vanderpump in the dedication as a true friend and realizing how that went to hell. #JustSayin." Arizona Spirit Lady: "She is just as sl*tty in her book as she was on the "housewives" show." Julie S: "Snooooooooooze." Bethany Johnson: "TRAIN WRECK!!".
14 Keith Richards: Life
Life is a memoir by the Rolling Stones guitarist, Keith Richards. The book chronicles Richards' love of music, charting influences from his mother and maternal grandfather; through his discovery of blues music, the founding of the Rolling Stones, his often stormy relationship with Mick Jagger, his involvement with drugs, and his relationships with women, including Anita Pallenberg and his wife Patti Hansen. With the Rolling Stones, Richards created the riffs, the lyrics and the songs that frazzled the world, and over 4 decades he lived the original rock and roll life. If you love drug-fueled stories with a hint of sex and danger, Richards' book is for you.
Well actually, everything isn't for everybody - evidenced by some of the reviews! Dan Petegorsky: "Ok, I can't take any more. I hardly ever stop reading a book in the middle, but I'm making an exception." R. Kesler: "The only rock n' roll book worse than this was that written by Neil Young." William Towne: "Did you know that Keith Richards did drugs, slept with women (or just hugged them all night), and argued with Mick Jagger? If not, check out pages 13-412 of this book." Kimberly Ann: "Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwnnnnnnnn!"
13 Brooke Shields: There Was a Little Girl: The Real Story of My Mother and Me
In this emotive raw memoir, Brooke Shields exposed the turbulent relationship with her longtime momager, Teri Shields, outlining her alcoholism but defending her artistic choices in letting Brooke play controversial roles in her early teenage years. Brooke's iconic modeling career began by chance when she was only 11 months old. As Brooke became an adult, the two made choices and sacrifices that would affect their relationship eternally. Despite the many ups and downs, Brooke was by Teri's side when she died in 2012; a loving daughter until the end. She also dished on waiting until 22 years old to lose her virginity to college boyfriend (and eventual Superman), Dean Cain.
Shields received a bunch of criticism when she briefly dated Michael Jackson… but that was light in comparison to the shots her book took! Melissa: "First and foremost, I cannot believe that someone with a college degree, let alone one from PRINCETON, would be this HORRIBLE of a writer." Glenda Hickey: "I thought the details of her mother's death were so disrespectful and totally unnecessary to tell her story." Monica: "Oh my glorious goodness. I don't want to say anything bad about Brooke Shields, so I'll just say nothing at all… other than I am SO SO SO SO SO glad I am done with this book. Ugh.". S.: "☹".
12 Mia Farrow: What Falls Away
This detonative memoir described the actress's marriages to Frank Sinatra, pianist Andre Previn, and of course Woody Allen-who infamously had an an affair with Farrow's adopted daughter, Soon-Yi Previn. In the tell-all book, Mia strikingly accused Allen of focusing inappropriate sexual attention on their 7-year-old adoptive daughter, Dylan. It was this crisis that led her to reflect upon the events that had brought her to a place so incomprehensible. Told with favour and deep understanding, as well as humor, What Falls Away goes beneath the surface of Farrow's astonishing life, with all its drama, success, and pain.
The book got awing reviews largely, therefore making it tricky to find adverse reassessments - but, you know we still dug a few bones up out of the ground! Pam: "I am bored. And the writing is NOT fabulous. And in closing I WILL say, Woody Allen is truly creepy (and the every expanded 'Farrow Family' is truly melodramatic!)" Maggie: "The story expresses total rage, but I wonder why the rage is mostly at her child and not her lover, Woody Allen. All was fine for 14 years until she became jealous and enraged about his affair with her daughter. To her daughter, Soon Yi, Woody was not a father. I pray that Soon Yi and Mia resolved their differences.".
11 Janice Dickinson: No Lifeguard on Duty
No Lifeguard on Duty: The Accidental Life of the World's First Supermodel is an autobiography by fashion model/photographer/talent agent Janice Dickinson. After gaining sobriety, Dickinson started compiling her notes into book format. The tell-all's the optimal memoir of sex, drugs, rock & roll and redemption. From her supermodel glory days with Gia Carangi and Christie Brinkley to evenings with Warren Beatty, Jack Nicholson, Sylvester Stallone and Liam Neeson; from a dramatic drug and alcohol habit to 3 failed marriages; from frolicking around the globe to struggling to make it in Los Angeles as a working mom on America's Next Top Model and The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency, Janice discloses all. In November 2014, Dickinson contended in an interview that pressure from Bill Cosby and his lawyers resulted in the removal of an account of assault by Cosby when she visited him at a hotel in Lake Tahoe, California in 1982.
We wonder, if Bill had on a sweater that night… ? Anywho, Dickinson's book assuredly received it's fair share of inhospitality. Kennedy W.: "I had to force myself to stop reading this book and throw it away." Petra Camilla: "After reading the first 15 pages of the book, I was appalled at the numerous amounts of 4-letter words she used. A few 4-letter words are okay to make a point. But Janice couldn't write a book without using every other word as a 4-letter word starting with F and S." Ashley: "This woman is trash!!! She is a trashy, washed up HAG!!! I honestly think Bill Cosby could have picked a better person to assault".
10 Holly Madison: Down The Rabbit Hole
Down the Rabbit Hole tells the story of Holly Madison's time with Hugh Hefner from 2001 to 2008 and its aftermath. Madison's depression in the Playboy Mansion reached hellish depths, yet, she felt trapped there: by her fears about her restricted professional possibilities, by her unwillingness to admit to anyone how miserable she really was, and by Hefner's emotional control over her. The book goes into Madison contemplating suicide, and the demise of her friendship with Kendra Wilkinson. Down the Rabbit Hole stems mainly from Madison's newfound feminism. "I call myself a born-again feminist," she said. "I can't call myself a feminist, or people are going to attack me for that, like, How can you be a feminist, you lived with Hugh Hefner! But I feel like there comes a time in every woman's life when you have to become a feminist.".
Great for Madison to turn her life around; although, not so great for several that took the time to scan through the book's pages. Madeline: "Or, as I called the book in my head, Everyone is a Wh*re Except Me and Here's Why." Patrice Sedota: "Holly whines throughout the book. The way she talks you would think she was held prisoner at the mansion. She made the choice to stay there." Videoclimber(AKA)MTsLilSis: "The writing was terrible. Please Holly, decide how you would like to spell blonde, with or without an e, and stick to that!" Cindy King: "That's a day of my life I'll never get back! Would I recommend it to others? Absolutely not."
9 Leah Remini: Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology
Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology is a biographical memoir by American actress/producer/comedian Leah Remini; it chronicles her life, her acting career and her experiences as a member of the Church of Scientology. The book describes Remini's 30+ years in Scientology - which in retrospect she views as "often deeply strange" - joining as a child along with her parents. She alleges to have contributed millions of dollars to the Church Of Scientology. In time, however, Remini grew disillusioned with the church; in particular with its leader, David Miscavige, and fellow Scientologist Tom Cruise. She began getting herself into trouble for asking the wrong questions, especially about the unexplained disappearance of Miscavige's wife, Shelly. As a result, Remini was subjected to retaliatory write-ups and punishments and eventually quit the Church.
Sounds interesting, right? Well, not to some readers. Karen Weissert: "So boring I could not finish" Amanda Carruthers: "The one star is generous. Do not waste your time." Mandi: "I can't believe I just read that. Someone needs to wash my brain out." Bartleby: "I'm not sure I'll ever watch another episode of "King of Queens" knowing what I now know about Leah Remini." Robin Ragan: "The book is going in the garbage where it belongs."
8 Drew Barrymore: Little Girl Lost
Actress, Drew Barrymore, shook up the world with her tell-all book Little Girl Lost. In the memoir we learned that by the age of 9, Drew Barrymore was drinking alcohol; at 10 she took up marijuana, and by 12 she began snorting cocaine. Yes, Barrymore is the true definition of 'turn up'! A story of a childhood gone awry and a young woman battling to restore order to her chaotic life, Barrymore's gripping and heart-wrenching story leaves a lasting impression on whomever reads it.
Alright, maybe not on EVERYONE that reads it! Inevitably, there were some that felt the actress' book was certainly nothing worth writing home about. Customer: "This may not be the worst book ever written but it is somewhere near the bottom." Joy Holder Northrop: "I get that young Miss Barrymore had a co-writer as she was just 15 at the time it was published. However, it read like it was someone else's voice entirely. As if someone else wrote it and had the young actress skim it and give it her stamp of approval." Lady: "There was no reason to write this book. The normal working class girl would have taken these dirty experiences (like sexually pleasing her producer at aged 9) and turned them into something to fight for, fight towards; but, what we have here is a prime example of the type of desensitized woman our society produces- shallow ones."
7 Tina Turner: I, Tina: My Life Story
I, Tina is a 1986 autobiography by rock singer Tina Turner. The tell-all book describes Turner's story from a girl born and raised in Nutbush, Tennessee to her initial rise to fame under the tutelage of famed blues musician Ike Turner; it describes her abusive relationship with Ike that ended in 1976, to her fierce 1980s comeback. The book became a worldwide best-seller when it was released and led to the film adaptation, What's Love Got to Do with It, in 1993 starring Angela Bassett (as Turner) and Laurence Fishburne. Come on, you remember: "Now, eat the cake Anna Mae. Eat the cake,".
Just like anything else, some folks loved I, Tina and the movie and then there's others that felt the total opposite. Tamra: "Probably a great musical talent and her story is anything but dull. Still it was not a rewarding read. Just another how I found myself book." Alpine Plume: "Phil Spector may be nuts but he sure was right on about this lame excuse for a story and a book!!! Tina lies and catches herself in her lies in more places than one. In one place she tells about how her cousin was killed in a car accident and the body was found in the car, then she contradicts herself by saying the body was outside of the car. So many examples of this sort of thing. Bye Bye Tina, and good luck because you certainly are going to need it. Again DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY ON THIS or anything else Tina Turner."
6 Corey Feldman: Coreyography
The Goonies and The Lost Boys star, Corey Feldman, released a memoir in 2013 revealing the truth about what his life was like behind the scenes. In it, Feldman details the abuse he and fellow child star, Corey Haim, endured in Hollywood at the hands of men they worked with and considered friends. The book too elaborates on the actor's past that included physical & drug abuse, a dysfunctional family from which he was emancipated at age 15, three high-profile arrests for drug possession, a 9-month stint in rehab, and a long, slow crawl back to the top of the box office. In addition, Feldman details his childhood friendship with Michael Jackson; who stated Jackson, in fact, never molested him.
Overall, Coreyography received fairly good reviews; although, some people emphatically begged to differ. Pank Brown: "This book is trash and so is Corey Feldman. I'm sorry I wasted my time and money on a spoiled out of touch idiot." Boo hoo: "I can't even believe I purchased this ridiculous book. Let's call this, 'how many times can Corey name-drop'." Arnie Slab: "A bulls**t story by a great actor" Amy: "Here's the thing, if you want to convince people that you were an innocent kid trying cocaine, you don't describe in detail how you cut a line, snorted it then licked it off your fingers. An innocent kid doesn't know how to do that."
5 LaToya Jackson - Growing Up In the Jackson Family
We all know that The Jackson family is 'cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs', however, it's truly something different when you hear the story from someone that grew up in the house. La Toya: Growing up in the Jackson Family is an autobiography written by La Toya Jackson (sister of Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, etc). In the tell-all book, La Toya accuses her father, Joseph, of child abuse, and goes into detail on the personal lives of her superstar siblings. Today, Joseph is alienated from his children by the hard-driving personality that drove the Jacksons to success; so much so, Latoya refuses to be alone in a room with him.
No strangers to ridicule, Jackson's book naturally received some merciless critiques. Susie: "Every time La Toya asserted she never used the Jackson name to achieve fame/get anything, a kitten gets barfed on… By me." Appia: "LaToya wrote 2 completely different autobiographies in her life. Is she trustful? I don't know, judge for yourself." Hannah: "La Toya spends most of the time glorifying Michael and complaining about her father's abuse without going into any details at all. I had to force my way through this one." Claude Vertu: "I make it a point to read from time to time something that I feel doesn't really interest me in the off chance I might learn something. Simply stated, Ms Jackson can't really sing, but she also can't write."
4 Pamela Des Barres: I'm With the Band: Confessions of a Groupie
One of the most famous groupies of the 1960s and '70s, Pamela Des Barres, wrote an ebullient and stylish tell-all book of her groupie experience(s). Over the decade, Pamela had affairs with Mick Jagger, Jimmy Page, Keith Moon, Waylon Jennings, Chris Hillman, Noel Redding, and Jim Morrison, among others. She traveled with Led Zeppelin; lived in sweet sin with Don Johnson; turned down a date with Elvis Presley; and was close friends with Robert Plant, Ray Davies, Gram Parsons and Frank Zappa. Des Barres' book stands out as the ideal chronicle of one of rock 'n' roll's most thrilling eras.
While the memoir's celebrated by many music lovers, it's also rubbish to other readers/reviewers. julirug: "Why did I take the bait? Who cares about this woman? Not I." Hayley: "What an absolute piece of garbage, boring book. Waste of time. Don't bother with it." alissa riche: "Can I get a refund?" Dianne L. Melton: "This book sucks. You sure one of the Zappa's children didn't write it? Worse $10 I've ever spent." Richard Haseon: "Way over priced and way not as advertised. Frankly, this sucked and I wish I could sell it, but then I'd feel guilty."
3 Karrine Steffans: Confessions of a Video Vixen
Video vixen, Karrine "Superhead" Steffans, details her journey through the glitz & glamour of the hip-hop world. As a teenager, Steffans is brutally assaulted and is unable or unwilling to report/address the attacker. After a particularly harrowing beating at the age of 15, Steffans runs away from her heinous mother and creates a new life for herself by becoming a 'lady of the night'. She eventually makes a name for herself in the hip-hop world by appearing in videos; she mingles with a plethora of rap stars and engages in relationships with them. Steffans' sexual escapades with celebs such as Jay Z, Ray J, Ice T, Irv Gotti, DMX, Usher, P.Diddy, Ja Rule, Kool G Rap and many others are thoroughly detailed in the memoir.
Basically bragging about being a hussy, many reviewers dug their claws deep into Confessions Of A Video Vixen. Roy: "Mindlessly entertaining if reading about a floozy sleeping her way to the top of the bottom amuses you." Sarah: "Damn she a HO" Licha: "Is it possible to give a book 0 stars? Terrible, terrible, terrible." Kristen: "I made a brand new bookshelf, 'Trash', just for this book specifically. Hands-down this is the worst "book" in existence."
2 Caitlyn Jenner: The Secrets Of My Life
The Olympian-turned-reality star-turned female, tells her life story in an expressive yet astonishingly touching memoir. Touching, is putting it lightly… Caitlyn Jenner touched on EVERYTHING! - from banning O.J. Simpon's name from her household to admitting she was uncomfortable having relations with Kris Jenner. Caitlyn said that she had told Kris there had been a woman inside her the entire time, and that she even dressed in front of Kris as a woman 'several times'; Caitlyn even told Kris about her hormone therapy which gave her a 36B chest size. “I tell Kris about my gender issues before I make love to her. This will always be a subject of dispute between us,” Caitlyn wrote. “She insists that she was taken by surprise by my ultimate transition to Caitlyn, which obviously means in her mind that she did not know enough.”
Caitlyn's tell-all book received some of the most outlandish reviews ever; as you could imagine. Janet: "KUWTK is fluffy, inane and stupid… as is this book. Yes, a fluffy read-if you do not like my opinion, stick it in your pipe and smoke it." Customer: "Terrible. If I could give it 0 stars I would." Alan D. Quigley: "I wouldn't touch this piece of crap with a ten foot pole" Monique Flores: "This was awful. Deleting it from my kindle library… "
1 Ivanka Trump: Women Who Work
Leave it to a Trump to make our top spot! Ivanka Marie Trump, daughter of President Trump, published her book Women Who Work: Rewriting the Rules for Success this year in May. After appearing on The Apprentice years back and receiving a flood of letters from young women asking for guidance, Ivanka elected to tell-all her secrets to success, such as identifying opportunities, starting companies, negotiating, leading teams, helping change the system and managing work & family. Ivanka, however, soon faced backlash for her book; with critics saying the book is out of touch with the average woman.
Jennifer Senior (NY Times' book critic) called Trump's book "a strawberry milkshake of inspirational quotes" and wrote that the "why" of "Women Who Work" is that Trump is "extending the Trump brand." Emily Peck (HuffPost senior reporter) called Trump's book a "grab-bag of generic work-life advice for upper-middle-class white women", and wrote, "perhaps more remarkable, is Trump's inability to truly recognize how her own privileged upbringing was key to her success." Ouch!!!
Even customers dragged the book down the street by its neck. Lauren Cecile: "Zero stars!" Samantha Londer: "Step 1: Be born extremely rich. The end." Khadidja: "Thank you Ivanka, we appreciate your "Hard work" in googling inspirational quotes." Stephanie: "A slap in the face insult to intelligent, hard working women everywhere, this is the literary equivalent of those awful cheap looking knockoff "designs" she peddles." ?
