Let’s be real for a second. If you grew up anywhere near a screen in 2010, you probably remember the high-pitched, window-shattering scream of Fred Figglehorn. And right next to him, usually looking like she wanted to be literally anywhere else, was Jennette McCurdy.
Back then, we all thought they were just another pair of Nickelodeon stars making a quick buck off a viral YouTube trend. But looking back now—especially with everything we know about Jennette’s life—the connection between Jennette McCurdy and Lucas Cruikshank feels a lot more human. It wasn't just a corporate crossover. It was two kids trying to navigate a very weird industry together.
The iCarly Meeting and the "Fred" Craze
The first time these two actually crossed paths was on the set of iCarly in 2009. The episode was "iMeet Fred."
Basically, the plot was that Freddie (the character, not the YouTuber) said he didn't like Fred’s videos, and the internet exploded. It was a classic "meta" moment. Lucas was already a massive deal—the first person to ever hit a million subscribers on YouTube—and Nick was desperate to capitalize on that energy.
Jennette played Sam Puckett, of course. She and Lucas hit it off almost immediately. It’s funny because their on-screen chemistry was built on this weird, antagonistic vibe, but off-camera, they were becoming genuine friends. Jennette has since mentioned that she was super impressed by his improv skills. On iCarly, they usually stuck to the script, but with Lucas, it was all about the chaos.
Working on Fred: The Movie
A year later, Jennette joined Lucas in his territory for Fred: The Movie. She played Bertha, Fred’s "frenemy" who wore weird clothes and had a very "I don't care about anything" attitude.
Honestly? It wasn't that far off from Sam Puckett, but weirder.
During the press junkets for that movie, you could see they were actually close. They were leaning on each other on the "orange carpet" and doing those awkward 2010s teen magazine interviews where they’d finish each other's sentences. Jennette once told an interviewer that Lucas was "awesome" and that the movie set was a blast because it was mostly improv.
But there was a darker side to those years that we didn't see until much later.
The "Food Snuggling" Secret
This is the part that most people missed. In her 2022 memoir, I’m Glad My Mom Died, Jennette goes into harrowing detail about her mother, Debra, and the restrictive eating habits she was forced into.
Recently, fans have been connecting some dots. Lucas and his brother, Jacob, have a podcast where they’ve talked about their early days on set. In one episode, Lucas’s mom mentioned that during the filming of Fred: The Movie (or potentially his iCarly guest spot), she noticed one of the kids wasn't being allowed to eat properly because of a "stage mom."
She actually admitted to sneaking food to that kid.
While she didn’t name Jennette explicitly, the timeline and the descriptions fit perfectly. It paints a heartbreaking picture: while the cameras were rolling on this loud, colorful, "happy" movie, Jennette was struggling with a real-life nightmare, and Lucas's family was quietly trying to help her survive it.
Where do Jennette and Lucas stand now?
So, are they still besties?
The short answer is: they’re cool, but life happened.
Jennette has famously retired from acting. She’s a writer and director now, and she’s been very vocal about how much she hated her time as a child star. She described herself as "embarrassed" by her past roles. Lucas, on the other hand, transitioned into being a full-time YouTuber and personality.
They don't hang out publicly every weekend, but the respect is still there.
Why the "Dating" Rumors Never Stuck
People always try to ship co-stars. It’s just what the internet does. But with Jennette and Lucas, the rumors never really had legs.
- The "Brother/Sister" Vibe: Both have described their relationship as more of a sibling bond.
- Lucas’s Coming Out: In 2013, Lucas came out as gay in a YouTube video.
- Jennette’s Focus: During the peak of their collaboration, Jennette was dealing with her mother’s declining health and her own mental health struggles. Dating was the last thing on her mind.
What we can learn from their story
Looking at the history of Jennette McCurdy and Lucas Cruikshank, it’s a reminder that child stardom is usually a lot heavier than the bright colors and laugh tracks suggest.
Lucas was a pioneer of the "influencer" age, and Jennette was the backbone of a TV empire. They were both under immense pressure. The fact that they managed to build a friendship that provided even a little bit of comfort—like sneaking snacks behind a stage mom's back—is actually pretty beautiful.
If you’re a fan of their old work, it’s worth revisiting it with this context. It makes Bertha and Fred look a little less like caricatures and a little more like two kids just trying to get through the day.
Actionable Next Steps
If you want to dive deeper into the reality of what Jennette and Lucas were going through during their Nickelodeon era, here is how to get the full story:
- Read "I'm Glad My Mom Died": Jennette’s book is the definitive source on her experience. It doesn't focus on Lucas, but it explains the "Bertha" era perfectly.
- Listen to the "Lucas and Jacob" Podcast: Look for the episodes where they talk about their "Nickelodeon days." The stories about stage moms are eye-opening.
- Check out Jennette’s "Hard Feelings" Podcast: She discusses her transition from acting to writing, which helps explain why she won't be doing a "Fred" reunion anytime soon.
The biggest takeaway? Support creators for who they are now, not just the characters they played when they were thirteen.
