I Shouldn't Be Telling You This: But I'm Going to Anyway BY Chelsea Devantez

I Shouldn't Be Telling You This is a dynamic and candid memoir-in-essays by comedian, screenwriter, and podcaster Chelsea Devantez. With a blend of humor, vulnerability, and sharp wit, Devantez takes readers on a rollercoaster journey through her tumultuous upbringing and unconventional path into Hollywood. Each chapter reveals a different facet of her life, focusing on the women who shaped her, from her childhood struggles to her career triumphs.

Devantez doesn’t shy away from sharing the most personal and sometimes embarrassing details. She recounts the time she tried to end a three-year spell of celibacy using a guide of seduction tips, her experiences with Mormon church camp (where she was sentenced to the infamous “hell hill”), and a series of absurd doctor visits that culminated in a misdiagnosis of pregnancy. But beyond the humor and TMI moments, Devantez also dives into deeper, more painful memories, like surviving drive-by shootings and domestic violence, and the public outing of her family’s biggest secret.

Throughout these stories, it’s the women in Devantez’s life who keep her grounded—from her mother, who supported her during the lowest points of her childhood, to the influential figures in her career, including her time as the Emmy-nominated Head Writer for The Problem with Jon Stewart. Devantez expertly centers each essay around a different woman who has influenced her, offering a rich tapestry of experiences that defy stereotypes and redefine what it means to be a “strong female lead.”

Listening to I Shouldn't Be Telling You This feels like a late-night conversation with a close friend, full of secrets, laughter, and hard-won wisdom. Devantez’s memoir is a refreshing and relatable exploration of the power of women’s relationships and the unpredictable paths they lead us on.