Joshua Bassett is opening up about his most intimate work yet. The 25-year-old actor and musician calls his forthcoming memoir “Rookie: My Public, Private, and Secret Life” his “most vulnerable and terrifying” project to date. Arriving May 5, the memoir in verse promises to reveal what his family doesn’t even know.

Why This Memoir Matters

Joshua Bassett has faced unprecedented scrutiny since his time on High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. What sets Rookie apart is his willingness to go deeper than ever before. “I’ve shared bits and pieces of my story,” he explained to PEOPLE, “but haven’t necessarily shared how I got through what I’ve been through.”

The singer-actor previously opened up about surviving childhood sexual abuse and battling heart failure. Now, he’s using poetry and prose to explore the darker moments most celebrities never discuss. “There’s a lot people don’t know. There’s a lot my family doesn’t even know that’s in there,” he revealed during his fashion week appearance.

A Memoir in Verse Like No Other

Rookie combines practical wisdom with raw poetry, creating something between a traditional memoir and a poetry collection. The work takes readers from the depths of addiction and suicidal thoughts to the hard-won lessons of recovery. Simon & Schuster describes it as “a love letter to the rookie in all of us.”

What makes this project unique is Bassett’s evolution as a writer. Since releasing his debut album The Golden Years in 2024, he’s proven his ability to translate personal pain into art. Now Rookie promises to deepen that vulnerability. Fans can already pre-order the book in hardcover format, with the audiobook (narrated by Bassett himself) rolling out on Spotify Premium the same day.

What’s Inside the 256 Pages

In interviews, Bassett explained the structure of his work. The first half celebrates pursuing dreams with the mantra “follow your dreams.” But the second half shifts tone dramatically, diving into existential questions. As he told BuzzFeed, “You can follow your dreams, you can do all these amazing things, but there’s so much more to life than just succeeding.” The ultimate question his book asks: “Who are you when you wake up?”

“I hope that it gives hope.”

— Joshua Bassett, on the impact he hopes his memoir will have

The Path to This Vulnerable Project

The road to Rookie started years ago when young Joshua had no formal schooling, only creative freedom. He taught himself guitar at age 14 (while grounded for not following rules) and eventually moved to Los Angeles at 16, living in his car. He attended industry events uninvited, mastering what he calls the “fake it till you make it” approach.

That hustle landed him a role in HSMMTS, where he had a breakdown before filming the season one finale. Showrunner Tim Federle told him something that changed his perspective: “Every day I show up on set, I’m worried people will find out that I have no idea what the hell I’m doing.” That moment crystallized the theme of Rookie. Everyone feels like a fraud. Everyone’s learning.

What Will Readers Take Away?

When Bassett‘s friend’s father read an early draft of Rookie, he quit his job as a lawyer the same day. He realized he wasn’t living his dream. That single impact reveals what Joshua hopes the book will accomplish for thousands of readers: courage, perspective, and hope. “I want people to have the courage to live their dream, and to know they are not alone,” he emphasized.

The Little Shop of Horrors star isn’t just promoting his book. He’s scheduled a celebration event at Barnes & Noble on May 12, 2026, where fans can meet him and hear readings from his most personal work. For those unable to attend, the Spotify audiobook version (with full narration by Bassett himself) offers an intimate experience of his voice guiding readers through his story.

Give your feedback

★★★★★

Be the first to rate this post
or leave a detailed review