The lady who writes The Housemaid just revealed her secret identity and fans are shook. Freida McFadden has held the mystery close to the vest for a while now.
But, this week, she made the decision to come forward and share her story. USA Today’s Clare Mulroy talked to McFadden about her choice and what sparked the surprising move. It seems like the success of the movie adaptation and some other recent bestsellers probably figured in heavily.
She had been wearing a wig and glasses to maintain her privacy in public. The pseudonym offered another layer of anonymity. It had previously been reported Mcfadden was a doctor in her spare time. But now those roles have flipped.
“I’m at a point in my career when I’m tired of this being a secret. I’m tired of people debating if I’m a real person or if I’m three men,” McFadden told USA Today. “I am a real person and I have a real identity and I don’t have anything to hide.”
As if the success of these books wasn’t enough, there’s another Housemaid movie. This time, Sidney Sweeney and Amanda of Seyfried are joined by Kirsten Dunst. It’s a lot of success over the last few years. So that made it a perfect time to come forward. It turns out that Frida McFadden is Sara Cohen.
Freida McFadden comes forward
USA Today’s reporting indicates that the doctor actually treats brain disorders during the day. Cohen told the outlet that she had been wearing a wig in this instance because she doesn’t know how to style her hair correctly. (We can assume this is just regular old modesty on the author’s part.) Book readers had their theories, but this new revelation can put all that to bed.
“My whole goal was to keep it a secret until I was (ready to) step back from my doctor job, so it wouldn’t be like everyone I work with suddenly knew and it compromised my ability to do my job,” McFadden explained. “But I have stepped away from my job. I’m only working like once or twice a month.”
The Housemaid author stopped working full-time in late 2023. While in her hospital job, she invented the pseudonym to avoid the conflict between her writing career and what she would do during her day shifts.
It turns out the people in her hospital figured the mystery out earlier. McFadden said that they were “really nice about it.” So nice in fact that they decided to keep her secret. Over time, she even gained some fans inside the hospital. They wouldn’t even realize that they were working with the author behind some of their favorite books.
The Housemaid Author is Sara Cohen
Though there has been some level of subterfuge, the author wants to remain known as McFadden. In fact, she hopes that can understand the need for some privacy. But, with that wall, maybe it’ll open the door to some even deeper conversation and connection with all those people reading out there.
“Even though I haven’t told my real name until now, I feel like I have shared the real me all along and everything I’ve told them has been the truth,” McFadden concluded. “Even though the name will be a surprise, nothing else will. I’ve always been genuine with my readers.”
(Photo Credit: Lionsgate)
Have a tip we should know? [email protected]
