the maid Delivering twists and turns in her best-selling thrillers, author Freda McFadden has maintained a mystery of her own – until now.
In an interview with usa today, The author publicly revealed her true identity for the first time after using a pseudonym for her books.
“At some point in my career I got tired of this being a secret. I got tired of people debating whether I was a real person or whether I was three guys,” the author said. “I am a real person, I have a real identity, and I have nothing to hide.”
Her real name is Sarah Cohen, and in addition to being an author, she is also a doctor who treats brain disorders.
The writer, also known for her signature glasses and bob, confirms that she wears glasses but her hair is a wig simply because “I have no idea how to style my hair.”
The reason Cohen created the pseudonym in the first place is because she didn’t want her writing and medical careers to conflict.
“My whole goal was to keep it a secret until I was[prepared]to step back from my job as a doctor, so it wouldn’t be as if everyone I work with suddenly knew, and it hurts my ability to do my job,” Cohen explained.
However, in late 2023, Cohen stopped working as a full-time doctor: “But I quit my job. I only work once or twice a month.”
“I just realized I was completely overwhelmed trying to do both,” she adds.
The hospital staff were privy to her double life as an author and kept her true identity a secret. Despite her name being publicly revealed, Cohen maintains that everything else she shared was true and she will continue to publish under her pseudonym McFadden.
“Even though I haven’t told my real name yet, I feel like I shared my truth the whole time and everything I told them was the truth,” Cohen said. “Although the name will be a surprise, nothing else will be. I have always been honest with my readers.”
the maidThe first in a trilogy, It was first published in 2022 with the psychological thriller that was later made into a feature film starring Sidney Sweeney, Amanda Seyfried, Brandon Sklenar, and Michele Morrone.
The film opened with $19 million before grossing $125 million domestically and nearly $400 million globally at the box office. Lionsgate announced that Paul Feig will direct the sequel, The secret of the domestic maidwhich will have a theatrical release on December 17, 2027. The film adaptation of Freda Macfadyen’s novel sees Sweeney reprise her role, while Kirsten Dunst joins the series. Moroni will also return.
