Fame or Dead: As seen on Jimmy Kimmel

by Tanja Ross

Fame or Dead is a haunting memoir about growing up in the grip of a mother’s obsession with fame. In Regensburg, Germany, Tanja Ross is a quiet child in a home ruled by séances, spiritual visions, and a mother slowly unraveling into madness. When the family relocates to Los Angeles to chase stardom, the dream collapses into poverty, manipulation, street performances, and eventually, homelessness. As her mother’s delusions deepen and her brother falls victim to the weight of it all, Tanja is left to navigate the ruins on her own.

322 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2025