Frieda McFadden reveals what she really is - single

Freida McFadden revealed her identity exclusively to USA TODAY.“The Housemaid” actress says she doesn't want her nickname to be a big secret.

'The Handmaid' author Freda McFadden reveals her true identity - EXCLUSIVELY

World-renowned bestselling author Freida McFadden reveals her true self.

McFadden, whose credits include "The Maid" and other domestic thrillers, uses a pseudonym, a wig and glasses to maintain her privacy in public.When she first started publishing, she led a Hannah Montana-worthy double life as a doctor, but separated the two personas.

It seems like a mystery to come out of her books, but McFadden never wanted to.But as her fame grew, so did the mystery.With the first "Housemaid" movie (starring Sidney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried) and a second on the way, not to mention a slew of new bestsellers, McFadden says it's "time" to reveal her identity.

"I'm at a point in my career where I'm tired of it being a secret. I'm tired of people debating whether I'm a real person or whether I'm three men," says McFadden. "I'm a real person, my personality is real and I have nothing to hide."

Freida McFadden reveals her true identity to USA TODAY

Outside of the book world, McFadden is Sara Cohen, a doctor who treats brain disorders.And although it looks like a disguise, she actually wears glasses.The hair is a wig, but only because “I have no idea how to style my hair,” she told USA TODAY in a phone interview.

"It's more boring than anything that happens in my books," McFadden said.

McFadden did not want his writing career to conflict with his medical work, so he only used a pseudonym.

"My whole goal was to keep it a secret until (I was ready) to retire from my practice as a doctor so that everyone I worked with would suddenly know and it wouldn't affect my ability to do my job," McFadden said.At the end of 2023, he stopped working full-time.

But her colleagues found out, she said, and they were "very real about it" and kept it a secret.Many of them love his book and don't know that they are working with the author himself.He has started bringing books to the hospital.

"I just realized that I'm completely overwhelmed trying to do both," she says.

Even though McFadden is now "infuriated," she is a diamond in the rough, an author her readers know and love.She is happy to let go of the secret she never wanted to keep, but she wants the book world to still know her as "Frieda".

"Even though I haven't given my real name yet, I feel like I've been real this whole time and everything I've told them is true," says McFadden."Although the name will be amazing, nothing else.

Clare Mulroy is the Books Correspondent for USA TODAY, where she covers notable publications, chats with authors and digs deep into reading culture.Find her on Instagram, sign up for our weekly book newsletter, or let her know what you're reading at cmulroy@usatoday.com.