'The Housemaid' author Freida McFadden reveals true identity after using pseudonym for 23 years
After 23 years of writing under a pseudonym, bestselling author Freida McFadden is finally stepping out from behind her pen name and revealed her true identity.
The author, who is notable for writing the 2022 psychological thriller The Housemaid, said that her real name is Sara Cohen in an interview with USA Today.
"I'm at a point in my career when I'm tired of this being a secret. I'm tired of people debating if I'm a real person or if I'm three men," she said. "I am a real person and I have a real identity and I don't have anything to hide."
Apart from being a novel writer, Cohen shared that she also works as a doctor who treats brain disorders. She admitted to wearing a wig as part of her public persona, jokingly noting she has "no idea" how to style her hair, though her glasses are real.
"It's so much more boring than anything that happens in my books," she quipped.
Cohen, who wrote her first novel The Devil Wears Scrubs back in 2013, initially opted to go by a pseudonym as she didn't want her writing career to conflict with her medical practice.
"My whole goal was to keep it a 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. But I have stepped away from my job. I'm only working like once or twice a month," Cohen explained.
Despite trying to keep her identity under wraps, a few of her co-workers, some were fans of her books, still found out. She said they were "really nice about it" and kept her secret.
"I just realized I was completely overwhelmed from trying to do both," Cohen said.
"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. Even though the name will be a surprise, nothing else will. I've always been genuine with my readers," she added.
Cohen's The Housemaid was recently adapted into a feature film starring Sydney Sweeney, Amanda Seyfried, and Brandon Sklenar. A sequel is now in development.
