Celebrities Who Were Abused

Surviving abuse takes courage, and speaking about it in public takes even more. Many well known figures have chosen to share their stories in hopes of helping others feel less alone. Their experiences are all different, but each one shows how healing can begin when the silence breaks.

This list highlights celebrities who have openly discussed abuse in their lives. Some were harmed as children while others endured violence or coercion as adults. None of them owe anyone their stories. Yet they chose to tell them and in doing so they have helped spark conversations, change minds, and support survivors everywhere.

Oprah Winfrey

Oprah has shared that she survived abuse in childhood and that those years shaped her empathy and drive. She has spoken about how trauma can echo through a life and how therapy and community helped her begin to heal.

She has used her platform to lift up survivor voices and center hard truths with compassion. Her message reminds people that pain is not the end of the story and that healing is possible.

Tyler Perry

Tyler Perry has been open about being abused as a child and the lasting effects it left on his sense of self. He has described how writing and performing gave him a way to process what he went through.

He often supports organizations that serve survivors and encourages honest conversations about trauma. His journey shows how creativity and faith can be part of finding a path forward.

Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga has spoken about being sexually assaulted as a teenager and the complex aftermath that followed. She has discussed panic, shame, and physical symptoms and how recovery takes time.

She continues to advocate for mental health resources and survivor support. Her openness has helped many fans feel seen and understood.

Rihanna

Rihanna survived a highly publicized incident of intimate partner violence. She later reflected on how complicated it can be to leave and to rebuild after being hurt by someone you once trusted.

She has focused on resilience and growth, building a life and career on her own terms. Her story has encouraged frank discussion about warning signs and safety planning.

Kesha

Kesha has described years of abuse and control in the music industry and how fighting for her voice took an enormous toll. She has spoken about fear, isolation, and the courage it took to speak up.

Her perseverance and her return to releasing music became a symbol of taking back power. She reminds survivors that their art and their truth still belong to them.

FKA twigs

FKA twigs has shared that she experienced emotional and physical abuse in a past relationship. She described the slow erosion of boundaries and the difficulty of recognizing manipulation while inside it.

By naming the patterns and seeking accountability, she has helped others learn what coercive control can look like. Her story underscores that abuse is never the survivor’s fault.

Terry Crews

Terry Crews revealed he was sexually assaulted by a powerful industry figure and spoke about the shame and disbelief that followed. He has highlighted how men can also be victims and why many stay silent.

His advocacy has challenged harmful myths about masculinity and survival. He continues to speak up so that others feel safe to come forward.

Brendan Fraser

Brendan Fraser has shared that he was groped by a Hollywood official and that the experience affected his career and mental health. He described the confusion and fear that kept him quiet for years.

By telling his story, he widened the conversation about power and accountability. His comeback has been a reminder that healing and renewal are possible.

Paris Hilton

Paris Hilton has spoken about abuse she says she suffered at a residential program for teens. She described physical and emotional harm and how it haunted her long after she left.

Her advocacy helped bring attention to the troubled teen industry and pushed for reforms. She uses her voice to protect young people from similar environments.

Aly Raisman

Aly Raisman has shared that she was abused by a team doctor and has been a leading advocate for athlete safety. She has emphasized the importance of believing survivors and changing broken systems.

Her work helped expose institutional failures and uplift other gymnasts who were hurt. She continues to push for trauma informed care and accountability.

Simone Biles

Simone Biles has been open about being abused by a trusted medical professional and about the emotional weight that followed. She has spoken about prioritizing mental health even when the world expected perfection.

Her choice to put well being first opened a global conversation about athlete care. She shows that strength includes knowing when to protect yourself.

McKayla Maroney

McKayla Maroney bravely detailed the grooming and abuse she endured and the pressure to stay silent. She has described the power of telling the truth and the support she found from fellow survivors.

Her advocacy has helped change how sports organizations respond to reports of harm. She continues to push for transparency and safeguards for young athletes.

Gabrielle Union

Gabrielle Union has shared that she was raped as a teenager and has spoken about the long road to healing. She has urged survivors to find therapy and community and to reject shame.

Her candor has helped many people feel less alone in their own recovery. She consistently uses her platform to promote survivor centered solutions.

Ashley Judd

Ashley Judd has spoken publicly about being sexually assaulted and about exploitation in the industry. She has described how retaliation and disbelief can silence people.

Her advocacy helped drive a broader reckoning with abuse of power. She continues to champion legal and cultural change that protects survivors.

Rose McGowan

Rose McGowan has shared her experience of sexual assault and how systems shielded abusers. She has talked about isolation, intimidation, and the urgency of telling the truth.

Her outspokenness helped many others find the courage to speak. She remains a strong voice for accountability and survivor autonomy.

Charlize Theron

Charlize Theron grew up in a home marked by violence and has spoken about the night her mother acted to protect them. She has discussed trauma’s ripple effects and the work it takes to heal.

She supports groups that address domestic violence and child safety. Her story reminds people that surviving a violent home is a lifelong journey.

Pamela Anderson

Pamela Anderson has described sexual abuse in childhood and the lasting impact it had on trust and self worth. She has said that reclaiming her narrative has been part of healing.

Through books and interviews she has encouraged survivors to set boundaries and seek help. Her message centers on dignity and self determination.

Mary J. Blige

Mary J. Blige has spoken about surviving sexual abuse and about using music to process pain. She has discussed how addiction and depression can be connected to trauma.

Her honesty has inspired fans to confront their own struggles and ask for support. She shows how art can be a stepping stone toward recovery.

Tina Turner

Tina Turner revealed the abuse she endured in a past marriage and how breaking free saved her life. She spoke about fear, manipulation, and the bravery it took to leave.

Her comeback became an emblem of resilience and independence. She encouraged others to believe that a safer future is worth fighting for.

Halle Berry

Halle Berry has talked about abusive relationships and the physical harm she suffered. She has supported programs for survivors and for children who witness violence at home.

Her advocacy highlights the importance of early intervention and resources. She reminds people that leaving is difficult and that support matters.

Shania Twain

Shania Twain has shared that she experienced abuse in childhood and that music became a place of refuge. She has described how trauma shaped her voice and her outlook on life.

By speaking openly, she has helped break stigma around childhood abuse. She urges survivors to keep seeking safe spaces and caring people.

Ellen DeGeneres

Ellen DeGeneres has said she was molested by a stepfather as a teenager and that fear kept her silent. She has spoken about the complex emotions that follow and the relief that comes with being believed.

Her story has encouraged conversations about family dynamics and boundaries. She reminds survivors that disclosure is a personal choice and that support is crucial.

Brooke Shields

Brooke Shields revealed that she was raped early in her career and described the shock and dissociation she felt. She has talked about how difficult it was to name what happened and to confront it years later.

Her openness in adulthood has helped others recognize similar experiences. She advocates for consent education and safer industry practices.

Bella Thorne

Bella Thorne has shared that she was sexually abused as a child and that it took years to tell anyone. She has spoken about trauma responses and the importance of not blaming yourself.

Her willingness to talk about healing helps younger fans feel less isolated. She stresses that survivors deserve patience, love, and professional care.

Melissa Benoist

Melissa Benoist revealed that she survived intimate partner violence and described how control and jealousy escalated over time. She detailed how abusers isolate victims and erode confidence.

By sharing warning signs she has helped others recognize unsafe situations. She emphasizes that support networks and therapy can be lifesaving.

If any of these stories resonated with you or if there are others you think should be included, share your thoughts in the comments so we can keep this conversation going.