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I made a commitment this weekend to finish all the books on my Kindle that I've read over 40% of. Among them were two memoirs: Rebel Rising by Rebel Wilson and another by David Grohl of Foo Fighters. My reading habits span a variety of genres, starting with True Crime, Thrillers, and Horror, and expanding into memoirs and more. Here’s my take on Rebel Wilson’s memoir—what I liked and what didn’t quite hit the mark.
Rebel Wilson has always charmed audiences on screen with her humor and unique persona. However, as a writer, she comes across as a bit cocky, which clashes with the image I have of her. This dissonance might be why I found myself only able to rate Rebel Rising three stars.
I was eagerly anticipating Rebel Rising, but it left me with mixed feelings. As a super fan of her movies, I deeply respect Wilson for her achievements as a nonconforming Hollywood star. While her humor doesn’t always resonate with me, I feel a surge of pride whenever she releases a new production on a global scale.
The memoir is mostly easy and engaging, filled with personalized Hollywood anecdotes and a fierce drive for success that I find admirable. Wilson’s vulnerability in discussing personal topics—complex family dynamics, weight struggles, fertility issues, sexuality, and late-blooming romantic relationships—is commendable.
However, the overall tone of the book felt off. There was an air of conceit in her recounting of experiences, both good and bad. Even early childhood memories were told in a way that seemed to seek validation or agreement from the reader, which didn’t always sit well with me. Her youthful precociousness morphed into an adult “look how smart/talented I am” vibe, which felt a bit grating.
While ego often accompanies fame, I was unexpectedly put off by this aspect in Wilson’s memoir. Perhaps it’s because I wasn’t expecting it from her. This left me less impressed than I had hoped to be.
Overall, I enjoyed Rebel Rising, but it was just okay—I wanted more from it. Rebel Wilson remains a figure I respect, but her memoir didn’t quite capture the charm and relatability I associate with her on-screen presence.
