Despite Criticism, Mackenzie Phillips Has No Regrets About Book
As members of Mackenzie Phillips' family speak out against her about the explosive allegations that she had a consensual sexual relationship with her father, John Phillips, the One Day at a Time star returned to Oprah to defend herself.
Two days after detailing her long-term incestuous affair with her late dad — of Mamas & Papas fame — on Oprah, the actress made a second appearance Friday and said she has no regrets about spilling her family secrets in her new memoir, High on Arrival.
"I understand this is a difficult thing for my family," the recovering drug addict told Oprah via satellite, "but nobody's talking about this, and if I've started a national dialogue, then I'm forever grateful."
During the same episode Chynna Phillips sat down with Oprah and defended her half-sister. She said Mackenzie told her about the affair 12 years ago and believes her because she doesn't think anyone would go out of their way to admit to having a consensual incestuous relationship.
Also defending Mackenzie? Jessica Woods, the daughter of former Mamas & Papas band member Denny Doherty, who wrote in to Oprah and said her father knew about the affair as well. "I just watched your show," Woods wrote, "and everything she said is true. My dad told me the awful truth, and he was horrified at what John had done."
But there are people who aren't buying Mackenzie's story, including Chynna's mother, Michelle Phillips (also of Mamas & Papas fame), and Mac's other half-sister Bijou Phillips.
"John was a bad parent, and a drug addict," Michelle told the Hollywood Reporter. "But [expletive deleted] his daughter? If she thinks it's true, why isn't she with a good psychiatrist on a couch? ... I have every reason to believe it's untrue."
Speaking out for the first time, Bijou also refuted Mackenzie's claims."When I was 13, Mackenzie told me that she had a consensual sexual relationship with our father," the actress said in a statement. "This news was confusing and scary, as I lived alone with my father since I was 3, I didn’t know what to believe and it didn’t help that shortly there after Mackenzie told me it didn’t happen. Mackenzie’s history with our father is hers, but also clouded with 30 years of drug abuse. I hope she can come to terms with this and find peace.
"The life I had with my father was very different. He was Mr. mom, encouraging and loving. The man that raised me would never be capable of doing such things, and if he was, it is heartbreaking to me to think that my family would leave me alone with him. I understand Mackenzie’s need to come clean with a history she feels will help others, but its devastating to have the world watch as we try and mend broken fences, especially when the man in question isn’t here to defend himself.”
Do you feel Mackenzie is telling the truth? Will you purchase her book? Talk back below.
READERS COMMENTS:
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I have to laugh at Bijou...she thinks it's heartbreaking her family would leave her alone with her dad. If they hadn't been rich and famous she would probably been in foster care. Her mother and father were junkies. I think Bijou needs to apologize to Makenzie. Yes I read the book.
-- Penny
It's never too late to expose any type of abuse. So what she didn't immediately say something. Better late than never. Most victims never say anything.
-- ayo
I think she's telling the truth. She has to be at a time in her life where she feels like she can actually talk about it, reguardless of whether her father has been dead for quite some time now.
-- Amy
I FEEL SHE IS TELLING THE TRUTH
-- Anonymous
I am more inclined to believe her. As a victim of sexual abuse, I can see the signs. She tried reaching out for help by telling her sister, but afterwards, possibly out of fear, recanted. Sure she was heavily into drugs before, but maybe this is why. Also, being sober now, she might just be looking back and realizing what actually was happening. I don't think it's fair for anyone to claim she is lying. SHE is the victim here. How can we, as a society, encourage victims to come forward and then still doubt them.
-- Heidi
I don't care if it's true or not, TELL IT TO A SHRINK!!! Why tell the whole world about it, especially now that he has passed on. I would never air my dirty linen in public I'd see a shrink and get my life on track. No you have to go on every show and blab every detail you can come up with. Have you ever heard silence is golden, but your shrink hears it all.
-- Gretchen
come on people what is wrong with you, think logically here. She was brought up that everything her father did was OK. If your taught and told something your whole life is right (even when it is wrong) how are you sopposed to understand what is right from wrong? I think she is telling the truth. I think she feels she needs to get her story out there to help others who are going through the same thing. I think her concepts are twisted (she thought sleeping with Mick Jagger was a "funny" story) while a "normal" person would never brag about such promiscuous occurences. Her whole life she was brough up to believe there are no rules, and whatever is wrong, was right. You cant blame her for not knowing having intercourse with her father was completely and utterly wrong, she wanted attention from her father (like any daughter)...only she found it in very horrible ways. I feel sorry for the poor girls upbringing. What a disgusting life.
I will read her book. Who cares if she wants to make a little money. Maybe she is helping people. -- malissa
It's kind of late now for Mackenzie to come forth with this information now. When her father is gone and can't defend himself. We only have Mackenzie's story. I think she should have said something when her dad was alive if it's true. Could be she needs the money. Since she isn't famous anymore.
-- Sara-lynn
Did she say this went on for ten years? Why didn't she do anything during that time? And if he offered to go to a secluded island to live with her, makes me believe she was just as nasty. Plus why bring that up now that he's dead???
-- Maria Pagan
Many children are molested by their own fathers; but the difference is, they don't enjoy it, or brag about it! THIS IS ONE UGLY, LOONY BITCH.
-- Andi |
