'The Housemaid' author reveals her real identity: 'I'm tired of this being a secret'
Freida McFadden is coming clean.
The bestselling author of "The Housemaid," "The Housemaid's Secret," "The Tenant" and more has unveiled her true identity.
In an interview with USA Today published Wednesday, the author, who publishes her novels under a pseudonym and wears a wig and glasses to maintain her privacy in real life, revealed that her real name is Sara Cohen.
"I'm at a point in my career when I'm tired of this being a secret," she said. "I'm tired of people debating if I'm a real person or if I'm three men."
She added, "I am a real person and I have a real identity and I don't have anything to hide."
According to USA Today, McFadden is a doctor who treats brain disorders. She said she aimed to keep her life as an author 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 said she stopped working full-time in late 2023 and now only works once or twice a month.
"I just realized I was completely overwhelmed trying to do both," she said.
She added that she wants everyone to know her as "Freida."
"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 said. "Even though the name will be a surprise, nothing else will. I've always been genuine with my readers."
McFadden's novel "The Housemaid" was published in 2022 and was later adapted into a film, which premiered in 2025.
The film starred Amanda Seyfried, Sydney Sweeney and Brandon Sklenar.
Lionsgate announced in March that a sequel film, "The Housemaid's Secret," based on McFadden's 2023 novel of the same name, will be released in late 2027.
McFadden's latest novel, "Dear Debbie," was released in January. Ahead of its release, Amazon MGM Studios announced that it is adapting the novel for television.
