Mena Suvari was sexually abused multiple times between the ages of 12 and 20 and described her traumatic experiences in a book.
Actress Mena Suvari, who became famous for her roles in American Beauty and American Pie, admitted that she suffered from sexual abuse in her youth.
Part of the horrible memories star outlined in her book The Great Peace: A Memoir, as reported by the People.
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Mena experienced her first rape in the sixth grade, shortly before her 13th birthday. She was pursued by one of her older brother’s friends and eventually forced to have sex with him.
“Part of me died that day. He used me, had fun with me and then disposed of me. He called me a whore. I never got to have a healthy expression of [sex]. My choice was lost. And that, compiled with already not feeling seen and heard, established a concept that I would have of myself. That that was my value,” said the 42-year-old actress.
At 15, Suvari moved to Hollywood to pursue acting. Her manager, whom she considered a friend and protector, also wanted a sexual relationship with her.
“By this time my family had pretty much fallen apart. My mother had moved out and wanted to find herself and my father [who was much older] was in decline mentally and physically. I didn’t feel like I had any other options or was worthy of a life that was any different,” Mena remembered.
After that, she began to disappear at parties and became addicted to drugs. At the age of 17, Suvari met a man who also sexually abused her during their three years of relationship.
“I was living a double life. Every time I would go on a set. Every time I was interviewed, I was acting the whole time. It was another role for me to play,” shared the star.
Through therapy and the support of friends, she managed to get rid of psychological problems and build healthy relationships.
In 2018, Mena married Michael Hope. The couple met in 2016 on the set of the movie I’ll Be Home for Christmas, where the man worked as a prop.
“It was the first time I felt I wanted to have a family with someone. I found out I was pregnant when I finished writing the memoir,” Suvari emphasized.
In April of this year, the couple had a son, Christopher Alexander.
Before meeting Michael, Mena was married twice: to cinematographer Robert Brinkmann and to music producer Simone Sestito.
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“I want to share my story in hopes to always shine light and inspire,” she said.
Suvari explained:
“This is what I have learned about myself. And for the first time I’m giving myself permission and finding the voice I wished I’d had.”
Photo by Gabriel Olsen/Getty Images