This article contains sensitive topics including child abuse, sexual assault, suicidal ideation, eating disorders, and substance abuse. Reader discretion is advised.
Hayden Panettiere on Alcoholism and Custody
In her memoir This Is Me: A Reckoning, Hayden Panettiere opened up about her struggle with alcoholism, which led to losing custody of her daughter Kaya. She described her addiction as starting postpartum, noting that alcohol eased her anxiety. After her first rehab stint, she felt clean but still struggled with postpartum depression. Returning to Nashville, she relapsed, switching to vodka and feeling that everyone knew. Her character's storyline mirrored her own issues, including postpartum depression and addiction.
Alyson Stoner on Financial Exploitation
In Semi-Well-Adjusted Despite Literally Everything, Alyson Stoner revealed that their mother took thousands of dollars from their bank account, leaving a supposed $1 million balance at zero. They detailed high career expenses, including publicists, stylists, and coaches, noting that their team took 35% in commissions and another 35% went to taxes.
Cher on Suicidal Thoughts During Marriage to Sonny Bono
Cher wrote in Cher: Part One about feeling trapped in a loveless marriage and considering suicide. She stood on a balcony multiple times but always thought of her child, family, and fans. Eventually, she realized she could leave him instead of jumping.
Paris Hilton on Relationship with Teacher
In Paris, Paris Hilton disclosed an illicit relationship with her eighth-grade teacher, whom she called Mr. Abercrombie. He groomed her with compliments and comparisons to Princess Diana and Priscilla Presley. It took her years to see him as a child predator.
Lena Dunham on Adam Driver
In Famesick, Lena Dunham recalled working with Adam Driver on Girls, saying the more she knew him, the less she understood. She also alleged he threw a chair at her when angry. They have not spoken since the series ended.
Mel B. on Suicide Attempt
In Brutally Honest, Mel B. described a suicide attempt after feeling trapped in a sham marriage. After swallowing pills, she regretted it and called for help. She later apologized to her daughter for the pain she caused.
Tina Turner on Abusive Marriage
Tina Turner's My Love Story detailed Ike Turner's abuse, including throwing hot coffee, breaking her jaw, and causing black eyes. She attempted suicide by taking 50 sleeping pills. After waking up, Ike told her she should die.
Eve on Ectopic Pregnancy
In Who's That Girl?, Eve shared her experience with an ectopic pregnancy while filming her TV show. She lied about having appendicitis and struggled with grief. She later forgave herself and named her son Wilde Wolfe.
Kerry Washington on Eating Disorder
Kerry Washington wrote in Thicker Than Water about her eating disorder in college, calling it a toxic cycle of starvation, binge eating, and compulsive exercise. She eventually sought help and learned to choose healthier thought patterns.
Jada Pinkett Smith on Selling Drugs
In Worthy, Jada Pinkett Smith revealed she sold crack cocaine as a teenager to gain financial independence while her mother struggled with heroin addiction. She emphasized it was about survival in a tough environment.
Lisa Marie Presley on Sexual Abuse
In From Here to the Great Unknown, Lisa Marie Presley claimed she was molested by her mother's boyfriend, Michael Edwards, starting at age 10. Edwards denied the allegations through a statement.
Keke Palmer on Child-on-Child Molestation
Keke Palmer wrote in Master of Me about being sexually assaulted by her cousin as a child. She recognized it as immature sex play and later spoke about the reality of child-on-child molestation.
Whoopi Goldberg on Cocaine Addiction
In Bits and Pieces, Whoopi Goldberg described her cocaine addiction in the 1980s. She thought she could handle it but became a high-functioning addict. Her wake-up call came when a housekeeper found her on a hotel closet floor with cocaine on her face.
Bethany Joy Lenz on Abuse from Ex-Husband
Bethany Joy Lenz's Dinner For Vampires detailed emotional and verbal abuse from her ex-husband and his family. Her father-in-law encouraged aggression against women. When she set a boundary about violence, her husband refused to agree.
Rebel Wilson on Sacha Baron Cohen's Alleged Behavior
In Rebel Rising, Rebel Wilson claimed Sacha Baron Cohen asked her to film naked and then requested she stick her finger up his ass during The Brothers Grimsby. Cohen's rep denied the claims, citing evidence.
RuPaul on Relationship with Older Man
RuPaul wrote in The House of Hidden Meanings about a relationship with a 36-year-old counselor when he was a minor. They shared his first real kiss and waited until he turned 18 to have sex.
Brooke Shields on Unconsented Labia Rejuvenation
In Brooke Shields Is Not Allowed to Get Old, Brooke Shields revealed a doctor performed a labia rejuvenation without her consent after childbirth, acting as if he did her a favor.
Amy Schumer on Abusive Relationship
Amy Schumer wrote in The Girl With the Lower Back Tattoo about a boyfriend who pushed her onto a car hood and threatened her with a knife. She was sure he would kill her but eventually escaped.
Janet Jackson on Body Shaming as a Child
In True You, Janet Jackson recalled being told she was fat at age 10 while on Good Times. She was also asked to bind her breasts, which felt humiliating and sent a message that her body was wrong.
Melissa Joan Hart on Drug Use
Melissa Joan Hart's Melissa Explains It All revealed she experimented with weed, mushrooms, ecstasy, and mescaline during Sabrina the Teenage Witch. She turned down cocaine offered by Paris Hilton.
Leslie Jones on Childhood Sexual Abuse
In Leslie F*cking Jones, Leslie Jones shared that a babysitter sexually abused her as a toddler. She wishes she could go back and fight him, noting that her smile faded in photos afterward.
Molly Shannon on Fatal Car Accident
Molly Shannon's Hello Molly! recounted the car accident that killed her mother, cousin, and sister when she was four. Her mother's last words were asking for her girls.
Kenan Thompson on Weight Exploitation
In When I Was Your Age, Kenan Thompson said he was exploited for his weight on All That but tried to ignore it. He hated taking his shirt off for the movie Wieners.
Constance Wu on Rape
Constance Wu wrote in Making a Scene about being raped by a man she dated in her 20s. She didn't fight back to avoid making a scene and denied it for years.
Drew Barrymore on Early Drug Use
In Little Girl Lost, Drew Barrymore revealed she first tried marijuana at age 10 when a friend's mother offered it to her.
Selma Blair on Alcoholism and Suicide Attempts
Selma Blair's Mean Baby described her alcohol addiction starting at age seven during Passover. She attempted suicide multiple times but found hope in Alcoholics Anonymous and has been sober since 2016.
Gabrielle Union on Fertility Struggles
In You Got Anything Stronger?, Gabrielle Union shared her devastation when Dwyane Wade had a child with someone else while she suffered miscarriages due to adenomyosis. They later had a daughter via surrogate.
Jodie Sweetin on Drug and Alcohol Addiction
Jodie Sweetin's unSweetined revealed she was high on meth at a movie premiere and got drunk at Candace Cameron Bure's wedding at age 14. She described alcohol as giving her confidence but setting a dangerous pattern.
Tom Felton on Alcohol Addiction
In Beyond the Wand, Tom Felton recounted his alcohol addiction and an intervention he fled. He met strangers who helped him, and his lawyer warned that 11 of 17 intervention attendees were dead.
JoJo on Sexual Assault and Addiction
JoJo's Over the Influence detailed being sexualized as a teen and sexually assaulted by a producer. She woke up naked after a party and found a used condom. She later self-medicated with Adderall and alcohol.
Britney Spears on Pressure to Lie About Sex
In The Woman in Me, Britney Spears wrote that she became sexually active at 14 but was pressured by her team to lie about it. She appreciated Oprah's support that her sexuality was her own business.
Minka Kelly on Sex Tape and Coercion
Minka Kelly's Tell Me Everything described a toxic relationship where her boyfriend filmed a sex tape without her full consent. He later tried to sell it, and she paid $50,000 to buy it back.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE. For child abuse concerns, call 1-800-422-4453. For substance abuse help, call SAMHSA at 1-800-662-HELP.
