First published 2016
Anna Kendrick opens her life to readers through personal essays that blend the extraordinary with the everyday. The Academy Award-nominated actress traces her unconventional journey from a thirteen-year-old determined to keep her quirks hidden to a performer who embraces them. Kendrick reveals how Vanilla Ice and neon clothing influenced her path to performing arts, describes juggling middle school with Broadway stardom, and recounts her early romantic mishaps with boys who ignored her. She takes readers behind Hollywood scenes, from reviewing potential body doubles to navigating the entertainment industry's absurdities. The actress confronts her struggle to mature beyond what she calls her "man-child" tendencies into genuine adulthood. Through sharp wit and honest reflection, Kendrick transforms from someone who saw herself as small, weird, and defiant into a confident performer. Her essays capture both the glamorous and mundane aspects of her rise to fame, offering readers an unfiltered look at celebrity life. The book showcases Kendrick's distinctive voice as she examines her evolution from theatrical nobody to recognized talent across stage and screen.
Genres: autobiography, biography-memoir, 21st-century
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: personal-journey, self-discovery
275 pages · Hardcover · Gallery Books