If you like your memoirs with a bit of star power, you’re in luck—2023 was quite the year for celeb storytelling. These 20 listens showcase a diverse range of professionals and performers, from acclaimed musicians and sports game-changers to world-class actors, filmmakers, and comedians. Encompassing vulnerable tell-alls, deep-dives from creatives, and journeys of self-discovery, these personal accounts offer a valuable, unvarnished window into the private lives of some familiar famous faces.
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In his memoir, actor Elliot Page proves that his story, his reality, and his identity belong only to him and are his alone to share. In this exquisitely written, delicately performed listen, Page explores the pursuit of authenticity and the fight for survival. Whether unearthing the trauma of a stalker who stole his sense of safety or exploring queer desire and joy in all its multifaceted glory, Page does not once flinch or equivocate. Instead, he stands fully in his truth, recognizing the darkest moments of his path while inviting others burdened by repression into the light. —Alanna M.
This memoir is roaringly funny, but Leslie Jones’s life is no joke. In her audiobook, she ditches the script and tells each story in her life exactly how it went. The former SNL cast member grew up in a stable household until her father accepted a radio gig in LA. All was well until he lost that job, and the family's lights went off. Things changed in college after Jones won a comedy contest, and the victory lap hasn’t stopped since. A favorite moment of mine comes when Jones tries out a Nadia Comăneci gymnastics routine in the bathroom. Her father’s reaction is priceless, just like his daughter. —Yvonne D.
Much like Yes I Am, the album that skyrocketed the singer-songwriter into global rock-star status, Melissa Etheridge’s memoir is composed of strength and hard-won wisdom. This, though, is not the Etheridge that rose to fame in the ‘90s—this Etheridge has loved and lost repeatedly, battled cancer, and experienced the unimaginable grief of losing a child. In this deeply spiritual and arrestingly personal memoir, she reflects on her exceptional journey with an overwhelming sense of calm. And as a listener, you are struck with the feeling that Etheridge is speaking to you exactly the way she would speak to a dear friend. —Madeline A.
The legendary filmmaker's work spans more than 70 features and documentaries, so you should expect that his autobiography would be dense with detail. But it's Werner Herzog's iconic, German-accented voice that will keep you enthralled—even if you're not familiar with all the characters he recounts on his globe-spanning, head-spinning journey. Hearing him share passages from his diary, we are privy to poetic digressions and anecdotes that are resplendent with inspiring imagery. Once you finish, don't worry if you're tempted to replay and listen over and over again—or even long to be rocked to sleep by his rhythmic voice. —Jerry P.
With countless albums, television appearances, and business ventures, it is no exaggeration to say that Snoop Dogg is a cultural fixture. While his image today is that of beloved icon and paragon of success and swagger, things were not always this way. From the Streets to the Suites takes listeners on a personal voyage through Snoop Dogg’s life. Narrated by the artist himself in his own unmistakable voice, this personal account tracks the rise of a hip-hop megastar, from the streets of Long Beach, California, to the highest echelons of music, business, and entrepreneurial success. —Seth H.
If you've watched the YouTube documentary This Is Paris, you're already familiar with some of Paris Hilton’s experiences while at three different behavior modification schools. But did you know that the only "Hilton" money she has actually comes from the commercials she's done? Hilton elaborates on these truths and more in her captivating memoir, Paris. Narrated by Hilton herself, the memoir takes listeners on a journey through her remarkable life, providing sincere glimpses at some of her most personal, traumatic, and happiest moments—from co-starring in the reality TV hit The Simple Life to sitting in front of Congress advocating for an end to institutional child abuse. Paris is a candid reflection of the author’s current state of mind as she continues to heal from her past and advocate for teens facing similar challenges. —Patty R.
This sweet gem of a memoir, told in conversations between legendary mother-daughter duo Diane Ladd and Laura Dern, is a moving homage to love, transparency, and trust. Honey, Baby, Mine is compiled from chats the pair shared on strolls meant to help Ladd improve her breathwork in the face of a potentially fatal pulmonary condition. The result was healing in more ways than one. Immensely moving, this testament to oral storytelling is reminiscent of those cherished, intimate moments only amplified by hindsight—a conversation on the sofa over old photo albums or a well-loved family story recounted innumerable times. —A.M.
Much as Jada Pinkett Smith famously rolled her eyes during the unforgettable Oscars slap episode, one might feel compelled to do the same at another celeb tell-all. But the moment I heard her narration of her suicidal ideation, I found myself transfixed by her emotional honesty. She credits friend and lifestyle guru Jay Shetty with urging her to write about her journey to finding self-worth—a theme many can relate to (even if they don't possess her immense wealth and privilege to tackle the problem). In it, she reflects on her relationships with husband Will Smith, the late Tupac, and the media, but it's the vulnerable moments of clarity that will persist long after the headlines have subsided. —J.P.
Like many Hollywood stars, actress Minka Kelly is largely misunderstood. Despite a history of playing "queen bee" types on shows like Friday Night Lights and Euphoria, she has not had an easy, let alone privileged, life. In her singular voice, Kelly expounds on her upbringing, bouncing from apartment to apartment with her mother, who struggled with drug addiction, got caught up in toxic relationships, and was briefly incarcerated. Despite Kelly's fraught childhood, Tell Me Everything is a story of triumph and perseverance no matter the circumstances. —S.H.
Britney Spears has been in the limelight in one way or another since her Mouseketeer debut, and by 17 she was one of the most famous human beings on the planet. All this time, her narrative was so seldom her own, dominated instead by exploitative media coverage and a recently dissolved conservatorship. In an echo of her defiant pop anthem “Stronger” (“I’ve had enough, I’m not your property as from today”), a liberated Spears reclaims her story with hard-won candor. And her bombshell of a memoir couldn’t be in the hands of a better performer, with acclaimed actor Michelle Williams's delicate yet emotionally commanding timbre at the helm. —A.M.
The anticipation surrounding the release of Spare by Prince Harry reached a fever pitch unlike anything I can recall in recent memory. And as a listen, it delivers. With deft vulnerability, he leads us through the grief, anger, and denial that shaped his adolescence and early adulthood. What is evident in every minute of listening is that Prince Harry is his mother’s son. His honesty may be shocking to some, but it’s the voice of a man who has had other people speak for him his whole life. And it’s that very voice, intimate and poignant, that makes this author-narrated listen so exemplary. —Katie O.
Philippines-born Geena Rocero credits the vibrant culture that shaped her childhood—with its gender-fluid history, performative Catholic customs, and unique love of pageantry—for helping her become the model, filmmaker, and activist she is today. Titled after her pageant stage name, which she says means “part equine and all fashion,” Horse Barbie is an empowering memoir that explores performance as a means of self-discovery and sheds fascinating light on the cultural paradoxes surrounding trans visibility in the United States and abroad. —Haley H.
Acclaimed for his work spanning slapstick comedy to thoughtful historical dramas, Jeff Daniels proved long ago that he’s as versatile as he is talented. Now, the multifaceted performer demonstrates yet another range of abilities with Alive and Well Enough, a 12-part audio-only memoir that blends personal recollection with original music to craft a nonlinear history spanning Daniels’s journey so far. It’s a vibrant showcase of boundless audio storytelling, alight with Midwestern heart, a rich, familiar voice practically made for narrative work, and the twang of an acoustic guitar. As genre-bending as its creator’s filmography and career, this Audible Original is a standout you won’t soon forget. —A.M.
While many may know Kerry Washington first for her trailblazing role as Olivia Pope, I'll be honest and admit that I've never watched a single episode of Scandal. That's why I believe in the power of her memoir—she hooked me with her quest to find her truth. Listening to her narrate painful tales of childhood trauma and microaggressions, I felt the vulnerability below the steely exterior—and was impressed that she made difficult choices rather than place blame in expected ways. By giving voice to the many unspoken secrets, Washington seems to be set free. —J.P.
Though he’s in good company among other classically trained performers, Sir Patrick Stewart is a true original. In his profoundly modest memoir, Stewart recounts his journey from humble beginnings to playing pop culture icons including Professor Charles Xavier and Captain Jean-Luc Picard. Whether recalling the shames of a childhood marred by violence and unease or those first few forays into theater, Stewart remains honest and warm. In his signature baritone, pleasantly wavering with a mellifluous rasp, Stewart’s narration captivates with all the charm and depth that’s made him such a beloved fixture of stage and screen. —A.M.
If you love musical theater, especially Broadway's Golden Age, you'll find it hard to resist a peek into the life of Mary Rodgers, the daughter of acclaimed composer Richard Rodgers and a composer herself, best known for Once Upon a Mattress. This is a delicious two-hander of sorts, with Christine Baranski delivering the juicy gossip with élan and Jesse Green, the co-author of this showbiz memoir and chief theater critic of The New York Times, who voices his abundant footnotes as deadpan (and welcome) interruptions. Simply magnificent. —J.P.
Award-winning journalist and former NPR host Michele Norris wants to know all about Your Mama’s Kitchen. Yep. That’s the question she asks each celebrity guest on this heartwarming and fun episodic audio show. While the question remains the same, the answers vary widely, bringing listeners down personal rabbit holes of interesting, funny, and sometimes painful stories of life growing up around assorted kitchen tables. As distinctive as the recipes themselves, each segment is its own thought-provoking journey that leaves the listener feeling like they just pulled up a chair. —M.A.
From the very first line of Sam Neill’s endlessly charming memoir, it’s clear that the acclaimed Kiwi actor has a true gift for storytelling off-screen too. Rich, warm, wry, and down-to-earth, Did I Ever Tell You This? crackles with humor and brims with heart. The memoir, written after Neill’s cancer diagnosis, is as much a smorgasbord of personal experiences, both shattering and side-splitting, as it is a genuine love letter to life itself. It’s a pure delight, one that pairs perfectly with a bottle of Two Paddocks Pinot, a cozy armchair, and a rescue animal curled at your feet. —A.M.
As the founder and CEO of Klutch Sports Group, Rich Paul is known to many as a powerful sports agent (as well as the right-hand guy to LeBron James and romantic partner to Adele). By detailing his traumatic childhood—including having a mother, known as Peaches, who struggled with drug addiction—he reveals a more vulnerable side. Listen along as he shares the lessons the OGs and elders in his native Cleveland community taught him, and learn how he managed to overcome the dangers of the streets to achieve his dreams of a different future. —J.P.
Perhaps you’re inclined to hit play on If You Would Have Told Me because you’re a Blackie Parrish fan, an Uncle Jesse fan, or even a Beach Boys fan. But you will linger for the deeply human narrative that unfolds in John Stamos’s memoir. With themes of grief, resilience, and the importance of family, Stamos recounts many of the best (and worst) moments of his often-charmed life. With a voice that could bewitch even the deepest cynics among us, Stamos deftly demonstrates why he has remained a fixture in our collective culture for decades.—K.O.
