Cry for Me, Argentina: My Life as a Failed Child Star

by Tamara Yajia

Bloomsbury presents Cry for Me, Argentina written and read by Tamara Yajia

NAMED A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR BY VULTURE AND NPR

“Tamara is one of the funniest people I know and her memoir is as hilarious as she is.” --Cecily Strong

“Tamara’s life story is fascinating.” --Taika Waititi

A hilarious, moving memoir by Argentine-American comedian Tamara Yajia about growing up between two worlds.

From the day she was born, Tamara Yajia entered the world on a wave of absurdity. She was the newest member of a family no one would call normal, from her grandfather the salami obsessed poppers salesman, to her mother, the OnlyFans model. Not only will her family try anything once, like moving to the United States and opening a food stand named Sexy Chicken; they'll try anything multiple times, like moving back to Argentina, then back to the United States, all while Tamara manages to achieve some success as a preteen child actress after a jaw-dropping performance where she strips down to a garter belt in front of a crowd of rabbis.

The road doesn't get easier for a twelve-year-old Argentinian Jew trying to make it big in Orange County. The disappointment of giving up her childhood career as a performer makes for a rather tumultuous coming of age. But through grit, hustle, and a series of creative endeavours like joining a girl band, and performing her own one-woman show, Cumming of Age, Tam has made it through, and she's ready to spill some shit—figuratively and literally.

Featuring an unlikely combination of comedy and tragedy, generational struggle, and filthy sex jokes, Tamara Yajia's debut memoir is the messy, blazing story of a young Argentine trying to survive while holding on to her confidence, ambition, and sense of humor.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Humor, Biography, Jewish, Mental Health

Audible Audio

First published July 1, 2025

About the author

Tamara Yajia is an Argentine writer, musician, and ex child star. Tamara has written for ClickHole, Funny or Die, and several TV series, including Acapulco, This Fool, and the upcoming Netflix series Strip Law.

Reviews

[Anna Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

For me, Tamara’s story—exactly the way she tells it—was the antidote to whatever black and white thinking I’ve absorbed through the algorithm. She lights a path toward self acceptance that begins with “loving what is” and touches on some heavy subjects without leaning on cliché social dynamics or political virtue signaling. Her story is incredibly disarming. This book is a delight.

From the relatable moments like touching-tongues to the Miranda July-esque whimsy of sucking elbows, I was grateful to spend some time in Yajia’s world. Looking forward to more writing from this hilarious author.

[Aaron Bergman · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s as funny as it heartfelt. You’re easily gonna laugh but there are so many hidden emotional gems in here that really sneak up on you. Tamara really knows how to make a memoir feel both very real but also laugh about some pretty serious issues. It really feels like you’re just sitting and having wine w her while she tells you stories. Plus her life is just wild.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I laughed so much reading this. Like, out loud in public, laughing at a book. This book is genuinely hilarious, incredibly touching, a wild, bizarre ride that had me surprised at every turn in her life. I never knew what was going to happen. Her life was insane. And fascinating. Definitely worth the read. Wish it had listened to the audiobook.

[Kreete · Rating 3 out of 5]

Veider, naljakas, rõve, uskumatu. Ma pole kindel, kas ma soovitaksin seda teistele, aga kui närvikava on tugev ja pead lugu mustast huumorist, siis miks mitte. Algul ma ikka naersin kõva häälega, aga mida edasi, seda rohkem pidin ma raamatu hetkeks kõrvale panema, et loetut seedida. Ma ei suuda uskuda, milline lapse- ja nooruspõlv on ühel inimesel olnud. Millised vanemad, milline suhtumine, millised kogemused ja läbielamised. Natuke hakkas kõhe.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Went into this memoir blind, I didn't know anything about the author but she tells her family's immigrant story moving from Argentina to California and back again (and again) in such a laugh out loud way. She share's her family's history, what it was like growing up always feeling like she didn't belong, mental health struggles among the women in her family and more. Great on audio narrated by the author herself and highly recommended!

[Lori · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 I heard the author on a podcast and listened to this on audio. Her story of her crazy childhood in Argentina and the US is at times funny and sad. There's a lot of raunchy humor. All in all, it was mostly entertaining but not sure I could really recommend it.

[Carissa 🦇 · Rating 3 out of 5]

worth a read! engaging story and the author has a very clear entertaining voice throughout. it’s interesting to contrast her story of “failure” with a few of the other child star memoirs that have came out recently.

[Olivia Troilo · Rating 3 out of 5]

very average book, but the author’s life is extraordinary.

[Sofia · Rating 2 out of 5]

There's not that many books about Jewish Argentinians, so I was pleasantly surprised when I found this book. I think that I maybe liked it more because a lot of the cultural context felt familiar to me in a way that it rarely does. The author has had a rough life, but manages to find the humor in it. However, I think that this could have explored some deeper concepts but it stayed pretty surface level.

[Zibby Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

The memoir offers an unfiltered glimpse into the author's early years in the chaotic world of Argentine television as a child star. It details her tumultuous childhood, navigating between Argentina and the U.S., along with the chaotic dynamics of her family. The author also reflects on her early experiences with fame, the emotional toll of codependency and abuse, and the challenges that accompanied her rise to stardom.

Through a series of funny and self-deprecating essays, she shares everything from disastrous auditions and embarrassing fan encounters to bizarre meetings with celebrities and struggles with insecurity. Additionally, she provides insightful commentary on the unpredictable nature of celebrity culture, especially for young girls, highlighting how childhood fame can distort not only public perception but also one's personal identity.

This memoir serves as both a personal diary and a social satire. What makes it particularly compelling is the author’s ability to balance humor with genuine emotion. Beneath the punchlines and sarcasm lies a heartfelt yearning for acceptance, identity, and closure. At its core, this memoir addresses the universal feeling of not quite measuring up.

To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at:
https://shows.acast.com/moms-dont-hav...

[Rose Winters · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this because of an event at Skylight books, featuring, of course, the author, Tamara Yajia, and, importantly, the moderator, Mark Duplass. Full transparency, the only reason I went to the event was because Mark Duplass starred in Togetherness, an HBO 2015 show that I just stumbled upon and watched very quickly, opposite Amanda Peet, my ultimate celebrity crush. Visavi, this event would connect me with Amanda. Now that I got that off my chest, I will say it was the "coolest" event I've been to at Skylight. Cool being: everyone seemed to be friends, people seemed to be reuniting after long times apart, everyone was laughing and drinking beverages (this normally doesn't happen). What transpired was one of the funniest and most lighthearted book events I'd been to. And by the end, everyone seemed to be friends because we had just been a part of that. I know I haven't reflected much about the actual book yet, but that experience felt noteworthy.

At one point it was made clear that this book was to be read in one day, and so that's what I did. It was such a funny day. Tamara's life stories (told in this book) are wild, and hilarious, and sorta/very twisted, and just very good.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tamara Yajia jumps off the top rope with this memoir full of humor, caustic yet honest family observations, and most of all raunch. Readers who are turned off by lasciviousness and locker room talk would best look elsewhere. For those of us who enjoy overly honest and cringy (self)reflections, Cry For Me, Argentina is a wild and rewarding ride.

Tamara grows up ping-ponging between Argentina and the United States throughout her childhood. Her Argentinian Jewish family can only be described as characitures out of a movie. This isn't too surprising, given the predilection Tamara feels toward performing, sometimes as a comedian, musician, theater actor, and tv show writer.

Do some stories test the limits of hyperbole and the physical laws of the universe? Yes. Does this in any manner take away from the enjoyment of the autobiography? Not in the least.

I'm looking forward to seeing what Tamara Yajia decides to tackle next.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve never heard of this person and read this book because it was on a challenge book list for Hispanic heritage. This is a Jewish Argentinian who moved back-and-forth from Argentina to America. She has one crude rude dysfunctional messed up family. The book and story is zany and a light read, but it’s very crude with bad language and bad/no morals. On the one hand if you like a crazy funny book, this could be five stars. On the other hand if you’re looking for literature, this would be one star. The book ends on a happy note. It appears that she has somewhat stabilized by marrying and holding down a job, but it was a rocky journey of drug sex rock ‘n’ roll and a bunch of craziness to get there.

[Alex Duncan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cry for Me, Argentina by Tamara Yajia had me laughing and cringing in turns just like real life sometimes does. Tamara’s voice feels so honest, like she’s talking to you over a glass of wine. Her stories about childhood fame and awkward coming of age moments land hard, but there’s always a wink behind the heartache.

It’s funny, sometimes painfully so, and definitely not sugar coated. I loved seeing how she takes those moments of embarrassment and turns them into something raw and relatable. You really root for her by the end, even if she doesn’t end up as a big star.

If you enjoy memoirs with humor, self deprecation, and that “I’ve been there” feel, you’ll want to pick this up.

[Sophia Benoit · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm Tam's friend in real life so this review shouldn't count except that it does because I also have impeccable, unmatched taste. everyone is saying so; they're chanting it. Anyway, the truth of the matter is that this book is astounding and hilarious and peculiar in all the best, best ways. It makes you fall in love with Tam and her brilliant mind, so if you are not looking to fall in love, don't read it. Usually when your friend makes art of any kind, you go in hoping that it will be good (for their own sake and also so you won't have to do a kind lie to them), but this was just exquisite. I didn't have to lie or exaggerate at all. I just got to enjoy a marvelous book.

[Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a memoir covering 30 years of the author’s life from her birth to her career as a writer and comedian. To paraphrase the author (p. 215) the book is “unfiltered …. openly speaking of poop and sex”.

While it is outside of my typical reads, I stayed with it and got somewhat used to references to burping, farting, diarrhea and sex organs.

There are some interesting character portraits and a few observations on the immigrant experience.

I don’t know how to review or rate a book like this. It is not for everyone. For this style of book, I can't tell if it is too much or at the top of its genre. For me, no big laughs… but a smile or grimace here or there.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had never heard of Tamara Yajia, but the title caught my attention and then after reading that she is Jewish and spent her childhood back and forth between Argentina and the United States, it seemed like I needed to read this book. Often I get bored reading memoirs, but this one kept me interested the whole time. It was very funny, but also sad, and sometimes disturbing. There is a lot in this book that I didn't personally relate to, but I found it comforting that there are things that all Jewish people with family from Argentina can understand.

[Jj · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's definitely not for everyone; honestly, most people aren't going to enjoy it or any memoir that is so specific, or intense, or (sigh) raunchy as this one. But the author's outpouring of emotion as she narrates the rollercoaster of her life is genuine, and when it ended I felt like I'd just read an extended love letter to her family more than anything. That is awesome. I'd suggest this as a good book discussion title, perhaps paired with another memoir that encompasses some of the same topics.

[Dora · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you can, listen to the audiobook (read by the author). It brings the story to life in such a way that I would not have enjoyed as much as if I read it on paper. I don't think it would be a 4-star book for me if I hadn't experienced her reading through her emotions. As a person who deeply loves Buenos Aires, and an immigrant myself, I was able to relate to her on some levels. But my family is certainly not as crazy as she describes hers!

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

To paraphrase Once Upon a Mattress, a memoir is a delicate thing. We want the familiarity of a story arc, which means there must be conflict along the way; at the same time, we want a resolution, so healing must take place. Yajia’s life has no shortage of characters and circumstances to provide conflict, and trauma abounds. While I’m grateful she is in a better place now, I’m ultimately unsatisfied by the relationships she still has, namely with (in her words) her narcissistic and codependent parents.

[julian ortega · Rating 5 out of 5]

unabashedly vulgar, scatological, petulant, and heartfelt. this is not a memoir for people looking to be intellectually stimulated, you aren’t going to learn more about the world by the time it’s over, but it leaves you with an immense warmth and a nostalgia for a life you never lived. definitely worth checking out and it’s one of those memoirs that you can go into blindly because it is primarily about childhood and adolescence.

[Nefeli · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the craziest life stories I've ever heard. How can I become friends with Tamara Yajia?

Tamara's narrative style and pace captivated me from the very first pages. She managed to evoke a plethora of emotions in me, as I felt I was watching the author relive every moment. It was not a simple juxtaposition of events, but a confession of the soul. I rejoiced with her, I was shocked, I mourned, I grieved, and I felt proud.

[Selena · Rating 4 out of 5]

I only listened to this one for a goodreads bookmark but I’m glad I did! The author is funny, has great pacing, and a crazy interesting life story. I didn’t find myself with an urge to devour it, but I really liked it when I did listen! Sometimes there would randomly be some more vulgar topics and a bit of a trigger warning for some sexual harassment moments. Definitely recommend for a perfect easy listen though!

[Cecile · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tamara Yajia recounts her chaotic childhood. When times got tough, her family moved from Buenos Aires to Southern California, and then back again. Inspired by Madonna, the young girl pursued a show business career, but economic troubles again pushed her family back to California. The adults in her family were aggressive, vulgar, and sexually open, but they couldn’t be separate for long. The author had so many traumatic moments, but the tone of this whole memoir showcases a feisty humor.

[Jenny Wu · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about Tamara’s life. It begins with her childhood immigrating to the US back to Argentina and back to US again. Living as an undocumented immigrant and volatile parents. Her ways dissociate from real life and eventually turned to drugs and alcohol in adult life. Later on she pursued her creative dreams and became a TV writer and almost had her own tv show. I loved how she is so closed to all her grandparents and the humor throughout the book. It is an endearing book.

[Sasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a hilarious book (if you enjoy crass and offensive humor). Narrated by the author, it tell the story of how Yajia was a failed child star and her constant moves between Argentina and the United States. I have truly enjoyed her "Telenovelas are Hell" and "Funny or Die" Spanish instructional videos.

[Libriar · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a candid and very crass memoir of growing up, moving back and forth between Argentina and the United States. I liked learning about her ancestry and the stories about her grandparents more than anything else in the book. I'm not familiar with Yajia as a writer and comedian, and probably won't seek her out, but it was entertaining.

[shadedkayls · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was oddly wonderful. I listened to the audiobook, and the author showed emotion through her voice throughout. While the book was humorous, it was also heartbreaking to hear some of the pain while events were being discussed. I would recommend this book to anyone with a sense of humor. Tamara took her life events and described them hilariously and beautifully!!

[Shelby · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a quick read that takes you on a funny emotional roller coaster! At times the crass writing style of the author feels a bit much but not necessarily inauthentic. I would have preferred some deeper reflection on the more emotional events in the story. I wouldn’t pick this up again, but I nonetheless enjoyed this read!

[Luella · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is amusing and kinda sad all at the same time. Its a unique style of memoir. It feels like the author is sitting next to you and telling you her memories. Was an entertaining read. Thank you to Goodreads Giveaways and Bloomsbury Publishing for the ARC.