PEOPLE Picks The Best Celebrity Memoirs of 2024

Mar. 15, 2025

Celebrities from all walks of life stocked bookstore shelves with new memoirs, this year.

Athletes like record-breaking queenSydney McLaughlin-Levroneand WNBA star released from Russian custody,Brittney Griner, politicians likeBill ClintonandAnthony Fauciand a whole slew of celebrities fromChertoMoon Unit Zappaall put out must-read memoirs in 2024.

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HarperCollins

There’s simply no one like Cher. In part one of two, she shares her extraordinary life and rise to fame, including her relationship with Sonny Bono, in revelatory detail.

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Knopf

With a frank, candid look back at Clinton’s post-White House life after serving nearly 30 years in the public sphere, this memoir is rich with reflections on our country’s journey and lessons to carry us forward.

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Keke Palmer grew up a child star, but she’s so much more than that. In this powerful new account, the actress and singer takes readers through her journey of finding herself amidst success and life’s challenges while showing readers how to empower themselves in the process, too.

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Joey Feldman

The actor, best known for roles in classics likeThe GooniesandNo Country for Old Men, looks back on his unconventional childhood amongst animals on a California ranch, the tragic death of his mother, Jane, and the journey that brought him to Hollywood fame. With insights on fatherhood, addiction and relationships, Brolin’s “un-celebrity memoir” is a thought-provoking read.

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Dutton

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While Bethany Joy Lenz rose to fame playing Haley James Scott on the early 2000’s dramaOne Tree Hill, the actress was simultaneously involved with a Christian cult, which would soon take both Lenz’s earnings and autonomy. In her revealing new memoir, Lenz shares how she escaped a cult life with honesty and dark humor.

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Random House

Before Lisa Marie Presley passed in 2023 at age 54, she asked her daughter, actressRiley Keough, to help her finish her memoir. Taken from recordings her mother left behind, Keough completed this poignant, moving memoir about Presley’s life, which recounts Presley’s childhood in Graceland with parentsElvisandPriscilla, the crushing grief that followed after the death of her son Ben and more.

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Penguin Press

Before he was the Oscar-winning actor known for movies likeScent of a Woman,ScarfaceandThe Godfather,Al Pacino was a boy growing up in the South Bronx, in a tenement apartment with his mentally unwell mother and grandparents. In his long-awaited memoir, the star looks back on it all, from his rise in Hollywood to his dedication to his craft.

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© Annie Leibovitz

After returning to the classroom as a college professor, Hillary Rodham Clinton reflects on her dream of becoming president and stories from her lifelong political journey.

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Blackstone

Put a record on and dive into this heartfelt memoir that goes backstage in the 70s with Kenny and greats like John Coltrane and Barry White — and offers some useful life lessons along the way.

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Gallery Books

Actress Kelly Bishop has lived quite a life on both stage and screen. She won a Tony Award for her groundbreaking role in the Broadway musicalA Chorus Line, played Jennifer Grey’s mother inDirty Dancingand, of course, became beloved for her time as matriarch Emily Gilmore on the drama-comedy seriesGilmore Girls.

In her new memoir, Bishop is looking back on her decision transitioning from dance to drama as well as the roles that have shaped her beyond show business, including failed relationships, life-altering decisions and personal loss. This warm and witty read is an ode to following your heart.

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Grammy-winning rapper, actress and talk show hostEveJihan Cooper has made history with her music, from her 1999 debut albumLet There Be Eve…Ruff Ryders' First Ladyto her acclaimed single in collaboration withGwen Stefani, “Let Me Blow Ya Mind.” In her new memoir, the star is opening up about that career, along with motherhood, infertility issues mental health and more.

“The book is about a woman who went through a lot,” she tells PEOPLE. “That’s a lot of us. If I can help someone feel less alone, that’s what I care about.”

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Grand Central Publishing

The broadcast journalist reports her own story of becoming the first Asian woman to break through in television. She gives a witty and honest look at her career, marriage, motherhood and what it means to break barriers.

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Moon Unit Zappa’s father, the late musician Frank Zappa, was known for his legendary rock career. But he was largely absent during his daughter’s childhood. It wasn’t until he was diagnosed with prostate cancer that the two began to reconcile their differences. In this touching memoir, Moon looks back on her unconventional childhood, her family’s complicated relationships and how she and her father finally began to connect.

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Courtesy of AUWA Books

In 2020, Drew Afualo, fed up with the sexist, racist and bigoted content she saw online, took to social media to call out misogyny. Now, the rising internet star, known as the “Crusader for Women,” is sharing her message of inclusivity in her empowering debut memoir.

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Viking

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Penguin Random House

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Dey Street Books

From his boyhood in Missouri to his struggles with addiction — not to forget his legendary career in music — McDonald, with help from his co-author, actor Paul Reiser, chronicles his life and lessons learned as a Grammy-winning solo artist and member of bands Steely Dan and the Doobie Brothers.

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The world was watching when WNBA star Brittney Griner was taken into Russian custody on drug-related charges in 2022. In her much-anticipated memoir, the athlete is speaking out about her wrongful detainment in a Russian penal colony — and the journey back home to her family.

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TheViewcohost is opening up about the influence of her late mother and brother, Emma and Clyde. From coming of age in New York City’s housing projects to witnessing her mother’s mental breakdown as a child, Goldberg looks back on the experiences that impacted her in this moving tribute to family.

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Diversion Books

In the follow-up to her 2017 bestsellerThe Last Black Unicorn, Haddish returns with a new collection of insightful, reflective essays, focusing on lessons she’s learned on turning pain into joy as well as receiving comedy mentorship from Bob Saget.

“I’ve learned to take tomatoes being thrown at me and turn them into tomato sauce,” the actresstells PEOPLE. “And I’m going to make some spaghetti.”

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TheEmmy Award-winning actor is looking back on his “lucky life” and accidental career, from his days onMagnum, P.I. to his never-before-told stories.

“I don’t have the hooks that a lot of people do,” Sellecktells PEOPLE. “I didn’t rehabilitate myself or have this tragic life. I had my share of certainly ups and downs, but I’ve been very fortunate.”

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Forefront Books

“I know there were people who were shocked and did not understand,” Simpkinstells PEOPLE. “But when I got to a point that I could process the things that she was saying, I understood the place where she was.”

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ThePitch PerfectandBridesmaidsstar opens up about motherhood, finding true love and growing up surprisingly shy. A bold memoir filled with humor and heart.

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After the 2022 attack that nearly took the novelist’s life comes a thoughtful, intimate meditation on finding the courage to stand tall again.

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This meditative memoir travels the Pope’s eight-decade journey paralleling the history of the world he’s observed and participated in. His eventful life story, calling to the priesthood and rise to the highest office in the church is interwoven with his involvement with world events ranging from sports to politics.

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Spencer, the younger brother of the latePrincess Diana, gives an honest, and heartbreaking, look athis experienceat the elite boarding school Maidwell Hall through his childhood letters and diaries.

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The Emmy Award-winning host ofRuPaul’s Drag Racedelves into the ups and downs of his storied life, from his childhood in San Diego to the birth of his drag persona. An intimate look at the supermogul.

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Thomas Nelson

The TODAY show co-anchor touches upon faith and encountering divine love in this inspiring collection of essays.

“What I write about in the book is processing that grief and processing the fact of losing my dad at the age of 16, after years and years,” shetold PEOPLE. “And through faith, starting to try to understand it in a larger sense and in larger terms, and in God’s terms.”

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The acclaimed actor who had his small beginnings in Harlem, writes of his memorable Hollywood career, including his Star Wars reign as Lando — and the strong reactions he got from some fans.

“I’d go on an airplane and the airplane stewards would say, ‘You betrayed Han Solo!," Williamstold PEOPLEof the experience, included in the magazine’s Feb. 19 issue.

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Olympian Gracie Gold is more than an “ice princess,” as she reveals in this riveting memoir, which details her private life of dealing with an eating disorder, depression and her high-stakes career.

“A lot of people in skating don’t really know me at all,” shetold PEOPLE. “This book dives deeper into [who I am].”

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“I think when you’re in a profession where you’re fighting for gold, silver and bronze, it’s always going to be an opportunity to look at yourself and want to be that perfect,” the multi-gold-winning Olympic hurdlertold PEOPLE. In her inspiring memoir, she shares her experience of facing down obstacles and overcoming perfectionism.

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“For years, I had been keeping up the Playboy charade for Hef, for the public,” she writes in this revealing memoir.

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Courtesy of Macmillan

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The “Karma Chameleon” singer writes of his English upbringing, his iconic music career and his relationship with Culture Club bandmate Jon Moss. Oh, and there are memorable interactions with Janet Jackson, Madonna and Prince too in this memoir that’s written like a good talk with an old friend.

source: people.com