Former child star Mackenzie Phillips shared a dark chapter of her life that changed the legacy of The Mamas and the Papas’ frontman John Phillips forever.
Mackenzie Phillips Was Abused By John Phillips
According to ABC News, Phillips first talked about these devastating events on Oprah Winfrey’s show. It coincided with the release of her memoir ‘High on Arrival.’
The ‘One Day at a Time’ star revealed the traumatic event at age 49. The incident occurred when she was 18 years old. Phillips lost consciousness in a hotel room following substance use. She was then sexually assaulted by John Phillips.
That marked the beginning of a decade-long pattern of a sexual relationship between the father and the daughter. “After the first experience, I went to my father and said we need to talk about how you r*ped me,” she recalled. “My dad said: ‘R*ped you? Don’t you mean made love?’ In that moment, I thought I’m really on my own here.”
Her Stepmother Denied the Allegations
The incident occurred in the late 1970s — during what should’ve been her acting career’s peak. “I boxed it away. I started very early on in my life compartmentalizing. This was the mother of all difficult experiences. I spent the last 30 years trying not to look at it,” she said while reflecting on what happened.
Mackenzie’s confessions created ripples within the Phillips family. Michelle Phillips, Mackenzie’s stepmother and former member of The Mamas and the Papas, publicly contested the allegations and blamed Mackenzie for using substances.
Her siblings, on the other hand, were shocked to hear the truth. Bijou told Oprah, “When I was 13, Mackenzie told me that she had a consensual sexual relationship with our father. 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 thereafter Mackenzie told me it didn’t happen.”
Mackenzie Still Forgives John Phillips
Phillips now forgives her father. “Forgiveness is for me, not for the other person,” she explained in a more recent conversation with her sister. “And forgiving doesn’t mean I cosign or agree with what I’m forgiving him for.” She accepts the situation is complex, stating, “It’s very, very complicated. And yet, I am at peace.”
According to Healthy Women, Phillips transformed her experiences into a new career path. She became a drug and alcohol counselor after facing her own addiction struggles.
The transition didn’t happen immediately, though. Phillips had multiple setbacks. She was fired twice from ‘One Day at a Time’ due to substance abuse issues.
She’s Now a Mental Health Advocate
Breathe Life Healing Centers reports that Phillips now works alongside interventionist Brad Lamm. She provides direct support to clients seeking recovery. Her work extends beyond traditional counseling. She co-hosts the ‘America Recovers’ podcast to reach those struggling with addiction through multiple platforms.
Phillips also started writing her own experiences, as documented by Erica Diamond. She authored ‘Hopeful Healing’ after ‘High on Arrival.’ The book offers recovery methods and challenges addiction stigma.
