Grown

Grown (2020) is the fourth novel by American author Tiffany D. Jackson. A ripped-from-the-headlines story about sexual exploitation, the dark crimes of celebrity elites, and the power of silence and speaking up, Grown is set in the modern day and uses a nonlinear plot to explore the uncomfortable conversation at the heart of the #MeToo movement against sexual abuse and harassment. Tiffany D. Jackson is the author of three other young adult novels, including Let Me Hear a Rhyme (2019), Monday’s Not Coming (2018), and Allegedly (2017), which was nominated for an NAACP Image Award. Jackson’s first horror novel, White Smoke¸ was published in 2021, and Jackson also works as a horror filmmaker.

Please be advised that Grown depicts sexual assault, self-harm, domestic abuse, child abuse, and opioid addiction. This guide references the hardcover edition of the novel from Katherine Tegen Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.

Plot Summary

Enchanted “Chanty” Jones, 17, wakes up in the penthouse of superstar musician Korey Fields. Korey has been murdered, and Enchanted becomes the prime suspect. As details of the murder emerge, Enchanted remembers how she and Korey met and found themselves in this situation.

Enchanted has a passion for singing, and dreams of becoming a star. Her family doesn’t understand or support her ambitions, and Enchanted feels isolated. One night, Enchanted convinces her mother to take her to an audition, where she meets legendary singer Korey Fields. Korey and Enchanted connect immediately, despite their 11-year age gap, and begin a secret relationship. Enchanted isn’t just starstruck by Korey’s celebrity status: She feels like she isn’t alone anymore, and someone shares her love of music.

When Enchanted starts touring with Korey, their relationship shifts, and Korey becomes controlling, abusive, and manipulative. He dictates what Enchanted wears, who she talks to, and even when she is allowed to use the bathroom. He demands sexual favors and accuses Enchanted of being unfaithful when she talks to other men, but he openly cheats on her with other women. He uses drugs to control Enchanted and threatens to kill himself if she leaves him. He also isolates Enchanted from her friends and family by cutting off her contact with the outside world. Enchanted excuses his behavior because she believes Korey loves her, but as her hopes of becoming a singer fade away, she finally accepts help from a concerned flight attendant and is brought home.

As Enchanted struggles to heal from the physical and psychological trauma of Korey’s abuse, his fans and supporters launch a full-scale attack on her character. Korey promises that all the harassment can go away if Enchanted gives him one more night. When she agrees, he drugs and attacks her. The story picks up where it began, with Enchanted stumbling through Korey’s apartment and finding him dead. Enchanted becomes the prime suspect in Korey’s murder, and amidst the public outcry, the truth of who Korey Fields really was comes to light: He may have been a star, but he had a long history of using his celebrity status to exploit underage girls while no one stopped him.

Enchanted discovers that Korey has hidden a camera in his bedroom, and his murder was caught on tape. The footage shows one of Korey’s most trusted associates—Richie—stabbing Korey right before the tape runs out. Richie and his accomplice are arrested, and Enchanted is free to go. She tries to forget what happened after the footage stopped: She was the one who delivered the final blow that killed Korey Fields.