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Actress Jaime King reveals her history of sexual abuse after Lady Gaga’s inspiring Oscars tribute

King reveals her painful past in a deeply personal Instagram post.

 

Marisa Kabas

IRL

Posted on Mar 2, 2016   Updated on May 27, 2021, 3:44 am CDT

Lady Gaga usually steals a show with her killer vocals and her wild style, but on Sunday at the 88th Academy Awards, it was her message about sexual abuse that took center stage. That very message inspired actress Jaime King to come forward about her own painful past.

Gaga performed her song “Til It Happens to You,” co-written with Diane Warren for the CNN documentary Hunting Ground about sexual assault on college campuses. She was joined onstage by survivors of rape and abuse with powerful statements like “not your fault” and “survivor” written on their outstretched forearms.

King seized the moment to share her experience.

A few hours after the Oscars ended, King posted an Instagram photo of her as a 14-year-old. Her lengthy caption began by thanking all the people in her life who have given her strength to survive. She then went onto explain her journey toward opening up.

King noted that she had been urged to make her past into a “cover story” but that she had instead waited to “express from my heart.” Perhaps the most jarring part of her post is the revelation that her sexual abuse started when she was 12 years old.

Lady Gaga, who has been a vocal supporter of embattled singer Kesha, voiced her support for King.

“Thank you my sister,” King replied. “There are no words for what your Soul [has] done for me. I love you.”

H/T Jezebel | Screengrab via The Real Daytime/YouTube

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*First Published: Mar 2, 2016, 9:59 am CST