Warning: This article contains details some readers may find distressing.
Mackenzie Phillips is a 65-year-old American actress who is known for starring in One Day At A Time as Julie Cooper Horvath and American Graffiti as Carol Morrison. Her career kickstarted in 1973 and very soon, she became a highly successful Hollywood star like her half-sister, Chynna Phillips. Chynna Phillips had a career as a singer after the formation of the Wilson Phillips, the female pop trio.
John Phillips, the catalyst behind the Mamas & the Papas, was the father of Mackenzie and Chynna. A musician free from legal issues and scandalous personal life during his earlier times, John had been releasing massive folk-rock hits like California Dreamin’.
Due to her struggles with substance abuse, Mackenzie has been an advocate for people have gone through similar problems in life. She openly speaks about issues of abuse, addiction and mental health, bringing awareness. It was only a few years after John’s death that during her interview with Oprah Winey in 2009, the Orange Is The New Black star broke her silence and confessed about the incestuous relationship with her father, John.
Under the influence of drugs, Mackenzie was sexually assaulted by her father, John, who raped her when she was only 19 years old. She mentioned, “I had tons on pills, and dad had tons of everything too.” Mackenzie continued revealing that she had passed out on John’s bed and was woken up while she was being r***d. Being unaware of the number of times the assault had taken place before, Mackenzie added, “All I can say is it was the first time I was aware of it.”
This abusive relationship got complicated even further when Mackenzie ended up being in a relationship with John. Referring to it as a possible type of Stockholm Syndrome, she told Oprah that this twisted relationship was consensual. She was completely naïve for almost a decade and only ended the relationship after her pregnancy since she was unaware of who the father was.
“I didn’t know how to handle what was happening, I didn’t know how to stop it.” She further confessed how the bond was extremely unhealthy and manipulative. This complex dynamic was written in her memoir where she revealed the psychological impacts the relationship had on her.
The first one from her family to respond to her revelations was her half-sister, Chynna Phillips. “I was completely blindsided… It was the most difficult thing I’ve ever had to process.” She further added, “But I also understand that my sister is a survivor, and I support her.”
Mackenzie also explained how she believes her father wasn’t a monster. “He was sick, he was in pain, and that’s what made it so complicated.” Her statements described John as both a monstrous abuser and a loving father affected by his addiction. She has also talked about how she has forgiven John saying “not for him, but for me. Forgiving my father was about letting go of the rage that had been eating me up inside.”
Sparking a wide range of reactions, the actress received sympathy and support considering the courage it must have taken for the actress to bring forward this confession. While her family was equally shocked and supportive, the public was skeptical about the relationship continuing for 10 whole years.
Watch the video given below to hear more from Mackenzie herself.
