MacKenzie Phillips expected to drop bombshell on Oprah tomorrow

[JoiseyMom]

So this is what I did.

I said crap happened - really awful horrible crap but WOW there are still wonderful life experiences to be had and I'm gonna have them and I"m NOT going to live in the past. I'm gonna move beyond the horrors of my life and create good. Well actually I lie I didn't say create good - because I knew I was a good person and sharing that weath.

And then somehow dreams came, ucontrollable shaking came, flashbacks at very very inconvient times came, fears of the opposite sex came, and deep depression came. Funny how that can happen. And boy I was simply moving on and living my life. How does that happen?

Yes, the sarcasm from me is overwhelming.

I will have a wonderful future and do have a wonderful life. But you know I'd rather have both of these without these annoying little out of my control How could I say that? ramifications.

And one day I will because some of them have already started to disappate. Because I am looking at my past ( well looking at it kind of makes me it can knock you over the head ) and how it has affected my now. So that it leaves my future alone.

Carry on. I needed to post this to relieve my agitation. But more importantly - I'm on my way - and I didn't want those who are really confused/suffering from their past - and just beginning to look at ongoing effects - thinking that there is only one way to go. Or feel any guilt for looking at it.

 

[denisem]

I can see where DisMN is coming from. Even for those of us who have gone through "less" difficult times, would it "empower" you to divulge all your secrets to the world in a book? Like DisMN, I've also found peace, not merely by "making up my mind", but through a longgg journey via therapy, introspection and proper medication. But yes, the final hurdle is "letting it go". NOT forgetting it - but not letting it rule your life. I truely wish the best for those still on that journey - it's worth it!

While I'm not a total Oprah fan (this interview goes on my list), she IS a good example of someone who has overcome similar hardships. It's been documented that she was sexually abused early in her life by a family member, was pregnant at 14 (?), admitted to cocaine use in her 20's. But she's done a heck of a lot more GOOD with her life, coming from a less privileged background than MacKenzie Phillips. And she didn't write a book.

You can make the point that Oprah is "special" and MacKenzie is a different "special". Heck, we're all special. <shrug> I just don't see this appearance/book/publicity to be healing in any way.

 

[momrek06]

Watching MacKenzie on Oprah, I felt badly for her....such a troubled life for sure...despite most of us thinking how exciting her life must have been to be among all those celebrities while growing up...when it really isn't exciting at all...if anything it is sad.

She looked out at the audience and asked and wanted to know if there are people or groups of people besides her that has had a life of consensual incest... She told Oprah that there just has to be and that she could not be the only one. Phillips said. "Someone needs to put a face on consensual incest."


Very sad and very disturbing.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

So this is what I did.

I said crap happened - really awful horrible crap but WOW there are still wonderful life experiences to be had and I'm gonna have them and I"m NOT going to live in the past. I'm gonna move beyond the horrors of my life and create good. Well actually I lie I didn't say create good - because I knew I was a good person and sharing that weath.

And then somehow dreams came, ucontrollable shaking came, flashbacks at very very inconvient times came, fears of the opposite sex came, and deep depression came. Funny how that can happen. And boy I was simply moving on and living my life. How does that happen?

Yes, the sarcasm from me is overwhelming.

I will have a wonderful future and do have a wonderful life. But you know I'd rather have both of these without these annoying little out of my control How could I say that? ramifications.

And one day I will because some of them have already started to disappate. Because I am looking at my past ( well looking at it kind of makes me it can knock you over the head ) and how it has affected my now. So that it leaves my future alone.

Carry on. I needed to post this to relieve my agitation. But more importantly - I'm on my way - and I didn't want those who are really confused/suffering from their past - and just beginning to look at ongoing effects - thinking that there is only one way to go. Or feel any guilt for looking at it.

I have post traumatic stress disorder as does my mother.

For folks more "normal" it is easy to suggest "getting over it".

However after years of my not "getting over it" and then getting a diagnosis--we were able to learn why some people cannot "get over it" especially those with PSTD.

It has required therapy for me to begin to "get over it", but I have a long way to go before I will truly be "over it". B/c it still influences my life subconsciously in a negative manner (finally had a breakthrough this spring after a year of therapy utilizing a special technique that helps you get down to the subconscious level.)

I won't read MP's book--and I find it strange when folks air their dirty laundry like that, but we have no idea what her therapeutic process is and some folks do find therapy in that they might help others in telling their story.

It is not my method of dealing with my trauma--but some people can turn their trauma to good (though I'm not seeing how an incestuous relationship exposed is helpful say like someone who recovers from a horrific nearly life ending accident).

Just b/c a famous person writes a book--doesn't mean they aren't over something. In fact--it is often therapeutic so that they can cognizantly acknowledge what they've been attempting to suppress. One cannot get over something if one suppresses the memory as it has a creepy way of haunting your life b/c you don't deal with it.

Knowing MP's tumult for the past years--I see the book more as a defense of her behavior versus a healing of her behavior, not to mention a money maker. But I do not know what her diagnosis is or if she even has one other than "addict".

But the fact that she has supporters to help her, tells me that she must have been working on this outside of writing a tell-all book. Unfortunately I won't be reading or watching to hear anymore about it.

I don't think she will find many who share her trials and tribulations. But who knows? Not something I want to hear about.

The only relationship that comes close to "consensual" incest is Woody Allen and his formerly adopted daughter. Though neither of them believe it to be wrong--and they are not biologically related.


For the person whom I quoted--I'm having a bit of trouble understanding your post--do you still have flashbacks every now and then?

 

[Belle0101]

Not trying to be funny but if she is doing this to heal herself maybe Dr. Phil would have been a more appropriate venue.

As far as a book goes, therapists often suggest writing your thoughts down or writing a letter to the person(s) who hurt you. But you throw it away afterwards. It's a method of release. But selling those thoughts? I won't be putting down money for her book.

 

[mom22belles]

Let me put this out there. This was along term relationship with her father. Does she truly know who the father of her son is? And John Philips was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame---what a great role model.

She actually says she did get pregnant ( with another child not her son) and didn't know if the father was her father or not. So her father paid for her to have an abortion. This is one of the reasons why her "relationship" with her father ended.

Nancy

P.S. I also find it intresting to her Valerie B. admitted to doing drugs with McKenzie while they where on One Day at A Time and felt guilty because McKenzie got caught and she didn't

 

[lisaviolet]

Even for those of us who have gone through "less" difficult times, would it "empower" you to divulge all your secrets to the world in a book? Like DisMN, I've also found peace, not merely by "making up my mind", but through a longgg journey via therapy, introspection and proper medication. But yes, the final hurdle is "letting it go". NOT forgetting it - but not letting it rule your life. I truely wish the best for those still on that journey - it's worth it!
.

It is absolutely worth it.

And I agree with everything you just said. For me - the two posts came across totally different. Totally different. And I am such a success ( poor word I mean healing success ) because of therapy and looking at it. ( I smiled at the knowing of longgg )

And DisMN - I am sincerely happy for you. Sincerely. Because however one gets at peace from that is blessed. And will be saddened if I took your posts incorrectly. But absolutely happy to make sure that no one out there on the DIS thinks there is one way.

Okay - off topic again as usual. I must stay off the CB.

to you both.

Joiseymom -

 

[Tina]

I watched MP on Oprah today and I felt just horrible for her. I've never been a fan or followed her career, but I found her story to be heartbreaking. When Valerie came out, I actually started to cry. I thought her support was very touching. Stories like this just go to show how the life of a celebrity or their children can be not so wonderful. Given the home she was raised in, the lack of parenting and the drug abuse, I don't think she ever had a chance at a normal life. I see her in a new light now. As for revealing her story, I don't feel I have the right to pass judgement until I have walked in her shoes - which I have not.

 

[Tuffcookie]

Tina, I couldn't agree more. Money does not buy happiness.

I hope MP can find healing thru writing her book.

TC

 

[TaraPA]

I got teary as well when Valerie Bertinelli came out to offer her support. Whether Mackenzie is doing this for money, publicity, or whatever, you could see some real emotion between the two of them on Oprah today, and that to me was touching. I've followed Mackenzie's career & trainwreck of a life & had never once had an inkling of an inappropriate relationship with her father. This was shocking to me today.

Does anyone remember her starring in a Disney TV series in the late 90's called So Weird? I LOVED that series, and she was great in it, high or not. It only ran a few seasons, and there has never been mention of it again. It's briefly mentioned on the imdb.com.

She's on the next season of Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew. Again, I'm sure quite possibly a money/publicity stunt but I'll still watch. Sometimes it's hard to stop the trainwreck when that's all you know.

 

[Feralpeg]

I watched MP on Oprah today and I felt just horrible for her. I've never been a fan or followed her career, but I found her story to be heartbreaking. When Valerie came out, I actually started to cry. I thought her support was very touching. Stories like this just go to show how the life of a celebrity or their children can be not so wonderful. Given the home she was raised in, the lack of parenting and the drug abuse, I don't think she ever had a chance at a normal life. I see her in a new light now. As for revealing her story, I don't feel I have the right to pass judgement until I have walked in her shoes - which I have not.

I agree totally. It is not for me to judge why she feels the need to tell the story. I've watched her grow up. I can't imagine a life such as hers. I hope she finds peace.

 

[sandramaac]

It is a shame that there are those in her family that do not believe her. When I saw her today on Oprah, you just immediately knew she was telling the truth---there was so much pain in her voice, her body language and her eyes. It is a testament to living a life of excess and no boundaries. I wonder what happened in John Phillips childhood that allowed him to cross such a boundary?

 

[JerseyJanice]

I watched Ms. Phillips on Oprah, and she really appears to be a deeply disturbed individual. That poor woman is full of demons.

I felt more sympathy seeing her interview than I expected to feel because I really don't agree with her decision to promote a book about such an ugly and disgusting secret. I firmly believe some skeletons should stay in the closet.

What I find interesting is that it's hardly news that her father exposed her to drugs. For some reason, I thought she wrote an earlier tell-all book, but after doing some quick research, I guess it wasn't her who wrote about his lack of parenting skills. I did find this article in People's archives:

http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20078715,00.html

Looking at the 1981 date, it appears she's being quoted in that article around the same time she's now saying that she was in the midst of this sick affair. In that article, she talks about both of them going through rehab and being clean and sober. Yet, on Oprah today, she was saying that the affair happened because they were both strung out on drugs.

I'm not saying that I think she's lying about what happened between her and her dad. Who would lie about something that horrific? I'm just saying that I never know what to believe when I read about the lives of public figures.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Poor MacKenzie, she just wanted to be loved like all kids do but with an abusive adult calling the shots and for any kid living with any sort of abuse, the price was very high. I am not surprised she is protecting him, it is extremely hard to admit to oneself that your parents never really loved you.

While the whole world knows all about sociopaths and how they are incapable of love it is extremely hard to accept it when you were born to one (or 2 sociopaths- they do sometimes find each other) when the whole world insists ALL parents love their kids. This undercurrent of expectation we all live with puts an abused child into a tight spot doesn't it? IF all parents LOVE their kids then either A) Abuse = Love or B) I must be a horrible kid to make them not love me. Most kids end up flip flopping between the 2 but very few put 100% of the blame on the abusive adult. I wish I had a dime for every time I said out loud my parents didn't love me and someone told me I was wrong... I wasn't. Next time a kid tells you that, don't tell them they are wrong just give him or her a hug and tell them they are good because there probably is an abusive person somewhere trying to convince them whatever they are living with really is love. When you dismiss these kids you are just making it harder for them to say "This is not how I want to live".

 

[TLSnell1981]

I really don't agree with her decision to promote a book about such an ugly and disgusting secret. I firmly believe some skeletons should stay in the closet.


I'm not saying that I think she's lying about what happened between her and her dad. Who would lie about something that horrific? I'm just saying that I never know what to believe when I read about the lives of public figures.

Silence is what keeps things like this happening. Keeping it in the closet... when one has been emotionally, mentally and physically violated and manipulated....only hurts the victims. And, telling the victims they are to blame is just adding insult to injury.

It took a lot of therapy and courage for MP to tell all. Some folks ask why she didn't do this while her dad was still alive, so he could "defend" himself. Maybe she wasn't strong enough.

 

[Feralpeg]

I watched Ms. Phillips on Oprah, and she really appears to be a deeply disturbed individual. That poor woman is full of demons.

I felt more sympathy seeing her interview than I expected to feel because I really don't agree with her decision to promote a book about such an ugly and disgusting secret. I firmly believe some skeletons should stay in the closet.

What I find interesting is that it's hardly news that her father exposed her to drugs. For some reason, I thought she wrote an earlier tell-all book, but after doing some quick research, I guess it wasn't her who wrote about his lack of parenting skills. I did find this article in People's archives:

http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20078715,00.html

Looking at the 1981 date, it appears she's being quoted in that article around the same time she's now saying that she was in the midst of this sick affair. In that article, she talks about both of them going through rehab and being clean and sober. Yet, on Oprah today, she was saying that the affair happened because they were both strung out on drugs.

I'm not saying that I think she's lying about what happened between her and her dad. Who would lie about something that horrific? I'm just saying that I never know what to believe when I read about the lives of public figures.

John Phillips was in and out of rehab numerous times. He had to have a liver transplant due to his alcohol consumption. Sadly, after the transplant, he went right back to his old ways. I saw a film clip of him in a bar drinking after the transplant. When confronted about it, he denied it. A couple of years later, he died.

Mackenzie has also been in and out of rehab. She spent a couple of years at one facility. But, as they say, once an addict, always an addict. It is so easy to slip back into the pit. I feel for. A child who was asked to roll joints for her dad at age ten and was allowed to do cocaine at age eleven never had a chance. I was so moved by her statement on the show today. She said that a father is supposed to protect his child. He totally let her down.

 

[DVCLiz]

I was watching Oprah today and I downloaded Mackenzie's new book at the first commercial on my Kindle. I'm about halfway through it.

I've read the part about her dad needing to go to rehab in order to show the judge he was making an effort to get clean after his arrest for trafficking. He asked Mackenzie to go to rehab with him in order to convince the judge he was getting clean. She did - and they did the People story as a way to further show he was getting clean.

They replaced drugs with alcohol for the time being and he only got a thirty day sentence. Now they are using again - I am about halfway through the book and she hasn't really brought up the dad/sex thing yet.

She comes across as very sincere in telling her story.
Tatum O'Neal. Poor little girls who never really had a chance at a normal life...

 

[OK!]

MacKenzie has absolutely no credibility and the moral scruples of Charles Manson.

Wow.

 

[horseshowmom]

Silence is what keeps things like this happening. Keeping it in the closet... when one has been emotionally, mentally and physically violated and manipulated....only hurts the victims. And, telling the victims they are to blame is just adding insult to injury.

It took a lot of therapy and courage for MP to tell all. Some folks ask why she didn't do this while her dad was still alive, so he could "defend" himself. Maybe she wasn't strong enough.

I agree.

 

[DVCLiz]

I just finished this book - I started it during Oprah this afternoon and just finished. Wow - such a sad story but I was left with such hope for Mackenzie after reading the book and seeing Oprah today.

I wouldn't begin to judge her for the writing of the book or anything she might choose to do. I don't think she is mentally ill but she is an addict and she really never had a chance from the start considering the lack of parenting she had to deal with - just as a small, small incident, how many of us would let a 5 year old fly cross country by herself? Most of us would be in an uproar about that alone if we heard of anyone doing it today - and yet in the book it was one of the most minor incidents of her childhood, far, far less damaging than a thousand other incidents she underwent.

Poor Mackenzie - I hope she can find some peace now. She seems devoted to her grown son and finally has the love and support of family.