Joshua Bassett | Rookie: My Public, Private, and Secret Life

The King's English Bookshop is thrilled to welcome singer-songwriter Joshua Bassett to Salt Lake City for his memoir, Rookie: My Public, Private, and Secret Life.

This is a ticketed event and will take place at Olympus Junior High School. Tickets include a pre-signed copy of Rookie.

• The program will blend conversation, short readings, and a musical performance.
• Afterwards there will be an opportunity to get a photo with Joshua.

Extra copies of the book will be available to purchase at the event. If you cannot make this event, signed copies may be ordered from our website.

If you cannot make the event, you must pick up your book (if included with ticket) at The King's English Bookshop within 30 days of the event. We can ship that book to you for an additional charge of $7.00; please call the store to arrange that.

About Joshua:

Joshua Bassett is an American actor, singer-songwriter, and musician best known for his role in Disney Plus's "High School Musical: The Musical: The Series." Raised in Oceanside, California, as one of six children and homeschooled, Bassett developed his artistic voice through early experiences in musical theater, songwriting, and filmmaking.

Despite facing insecurities about his lack of formal education and the challenges of fitting in, he credits his unconventional upbringing for fostering his creativity and resilience. Bassett's career took off when he landed the lead role in the Disney+ series, allowing him to showcase both his acting and musical talents.

Throughout his journey, he has been open about his struggles with imposter syndrome, mental health, addiction, and the pressures of fame, using his platform to advocate for vulnerability, self-acceptance, and mental health awareness. His music and storytelling draw deeply from personal experience, and in recent years, he has spoken about the transformative role of faith and community in his life. Through his work and advocacy, Bassett continues to inspire others to embrace authenticity and connection, emphasizing that true strength lies in accepting one's imperfections.

About the Rookie:

A love letter to the rookie in all of us: Singer-actor Joshua Bassett's fearless memoir in verse about surviving the darkest moments of fame, addiction, and mental health struggles—and finding hope on the other side. "We're all figuring it out as we go along. Even the 'pros.'"

From the depths of addiction and suicidal ideation to the hard-won lessons of recovery, Bassett shares his journey with raw vulnerability and courage. Along the way, he discovers that even in our darkest moments, we can choose to keep moving forward. "The only way out of fear is to face it again and again until it loses its grip."

More than a memoir, Rookie is a movement celebrating the sacred space between who we've been and who we're becoming. A hopeful roadmap and practical wisdom for anyone learning that your worst moments don't define you, even when the whole world is watching.

"I keep waiting for the sea to settle when I need to learn how to surf."

For anyone who's ever felt like an outsider, struggled with self-doubt, or wondered if things can get better, this book is for you.