Ashley Judd's Shocking Memoir Reveals Past Filled With Abuse, Drugs

By Kelly Fisher Posted Apr 5th 2011 09:20AM

Actress Ashley Judd's new memoir sheds light on her shocking past, which includes growing up in a drug-fueled environment and suffering sexual abuse as a child, RadarOnline.com reports.

Judd's book, 'All That Is Bitter & Sweet,' was released today, and the actress reveals some shocking secrets about the country-singing family in the book.

"My mother, while she was transforming herself into the country legend Naomi Judd, created an origin myth for the Judds that did not match my reality," she writes.

"She and my sister [Wynonna] have been quoted as saying that our family put the 'fun' in dysfunction. I wondered: 'Who, exactly, was having all the fun? What was I missing?'"

From revealing lies her mother told about about Wynonna's real father to allegations of child neglect, Judd doesn't hold much back in her shocking book.

"I was taught to believe that our lifestyle was normal and never to question it or complain, even when I was left alone for hours, sometimes days at a time, or when I was passed without warning to yet another relative," she writes, adding that "there was always marijuana inside the house" and her father, Michael Ciminella, "was prone to taking hallucinogenics with friends on Saturday nights."

Judd also recalls a painful memory of being sexually abused as a child.

"An old man everyone knew beckoned me into a dark, empty corner of the business and offered me a quarter for the pinball machine at the pizza place if I'd sit on his lap," Judd writes. "He opened his arms, I climbed up, and I was shocked when he suddenly cinched his arms around me, squeezing me and smothering my mouth with his, jabbing his tongue deep into my mouth."

The abuse she suffered led to a deep depression, which also stemmed from her relationship with her mother.

"I loved my mother, but at the same time I dreaded the mayhem and uncertainty that followed her everywhere," Judd writes. "I often felt like an outsider observing my mom's life as she followed her own dreams."

Comments

(106)

Tuesday 05 April

By Maggy

Vote down Vote up Report this

Very well put. I agree with you.

Thursday 14 April

By BusyMissNanci

Jean.....I was raised in orphanages and foster homes, and was a horrendously abused child. I can understand that she did not feel loved. I have lived a whole life being unloved, so if you want to discuss that, we can. My life would make your hair stand on end, but it will do nothing to help me by re-hashing it, so I stand by my remarks.

By Suzanne

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

THIS DOES NOT SURPRISE ME AT ALL! I have always wondered what was "really" going on in this family? Ashley seemed to always be out there on her on while the mother/daughter team sang together. I sometimes wondered if Naomi secretly wished that her mother would just leave and let her sing alone? I've always had more respect for Ashley, but wasn't sure quite why?
When she wrote this book she probably did so at the advice of a therapist? When you have "hidden" secrets that were never spoken about it's painful. I have a family member who did not tell about the molestation he experienced at the hands of a family member until his late 30's. Actually, it came up in counseling. THIS IS WHEN HEALING BEGAN!
Ashley, I'm happy for you that you exposed the secrets! Now, you can truly live life to the fullest.

Oprah has had the Judd's on her show. I really wish that Oprah would interview Ashley? Ashley has opened up an entire new chapter of her life and by speaking out she is "breaking the cycle" and exposing the truth!
This would be a perfect time since Oprah has had several shows on molestation, etc. in the past few months.

By Jerry

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

When celebs fade from the public eye the first thing they do is write a book about how they were sexually abused and what a rotten family they came from. Its the latest way to get publicity.

By Allan

The liberal loons are out in full force today

By Don

I would love to find ANYONE that molesters a child of any age....The police would HAVE to TRY and find me for some murder charge :)

By romag46

I agree with Jerry...her star has faded so time to write a tell all book. Also, it looks like Ashley has had some major plastic surgery done...following in the footsteps of her plastic looking mother Naomi. YUK !

By buddy

I never really got the whole " memoir " thing either .. I mean everyone has a story what makes clebrities think theirs is so special. People should show a bit more restraint in sharing their personal lifes with the whole world . If you really feel the need to write it as a form of therapy keep a journal .

By tony

i dont think she needs the money,she has a husband who drives indy cars.nuff said about that.

By Mikewheels312

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Wow, what a shock. I can't believe what I just read. All the best Ashley.

By gft

Ashley is proof again that the nut
doesn't fall far from the tree...

By jim

I never could understand why people care about other peoples problems let alone spend twenty dollars to read about them

By amused

I was surprised to learn she grew up in Nashville. After hearing the story I thought she might have grown up in Arkansas or Mississippi. Lumpy laps and probing tongues from relatives are kind of a norm down there.

By sherry

I worked with her father. he came to my house one night intoxicated enraged very frightening. I saw him in a different light. Michael was very apologetic the next day said he was intoxicated didn't know what got into him and said he was bumemd he didn't get a lottery deal. I wouldn't listen. She is brave

By truther

well.... that was gross. Whats next..... sheeeeesh...

By sherrybretz

When he became violent I had to calmly convince him to leave. Didn't know if he would. It took forever. It was very frightening. He had a lot of rage from the past and wanted to vent. He drank a bottle of wine. I wondered how he could conseal that dark side from his daughters. Guess he didn't. Alcohol can make people do strange things. It just amazed me how he could be so pleasant and professional one minute and soul outraged the next, like Dr Jekly Mr hyde. You can work with someone and respect them and totally be fooled in the very next instant. Truly terrifying. He did try to intimidate me.

By Mike

Huh? Who are you talking about? Maybe you have your own struggles with alcohol and/or drugs.

By warrengwarr

Ashley Judd should tell her own truth. Her self-absorbed mother has told so many lies, no one knows the truth. Look at Wynonna, an emotional mess, many times obese because of her mother's narcissitic, controlling behavior. Let's face it Naomi Judd was a dreadfull mother.

By Jean Murray

You are a nice, understanding lady

Page 3 of 6