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Freida McFadden Reveals Real Name With First Wig-Free Photo

She says she hid in plain sight to keep her hospital job separate from her growing fame.

Overview

  • The bestselling author shared an exclusive lab-coat portrait Monday on Today.com after an April 8 USA Today interview disclosed her real name.
  • She confirmed she is Dr. Sara Cohen, a physician who treats brain disorders, and said the wig and pen name helped protect her clinical work.
  • She will keep publishing under the Freida McFadden byline and now works hospital shifts only once or twice a month.
  • She described an outpouring of support since the reveal and said colleagues had already figured it out and kept her secret.
  • Her breakout novel The Housemaid became a 2025 film with Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried, and a sequel is in development.