CONTENT WARNING: This article discusses sexual assault.
Wild Things actress and Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Denise Richards has opened up about being sexually assaulted when she was first breaking into the industry in the late ‘90s, and revealed she stayed quiet out of fear of being “blacklisted” from the business.
“I was told I would be blacklisted,” the 54-year-old Bond girl recounted to PEOPLE, who didn’t file a sexual assault lawsuit for this very reason.
“I felt so vulnerable. This was the career I wanted to do.
“To be told that you’re never going to work in an industry that you are passionate about, it’s a hard thing.”
Richards did not disclose exactly when this incident occurred.
She further goes on to say that she is “amazed” by the strides made by the #MeToo movement in the decades since.
“There definitely needed to be a change – and not just in the entertainment industry.
“I am glad that women are able to have more of a voice and be more protected. If that happened at this age, I would handle it differently, but I was so young and unknown and starting out.”
The actress, who’s been featured in iconic titles like Love Actually, Drop Dead Gorgeous, and James Bond film The World is Not Enough, said she was such a “people-pleaser” when she first began her career.
Richards also mentioned to the US-based outlet that she “wishes she had the confidence” of her three daughters, Sami, Lola, and Eloise.
“I look at my daughters doing our show and being such strong women. If I had that, I think I would’ve been able to handle it a little differently,” Richards said.
“I wish I had the confidence that they have because I would never be able to stand out for myself the way they do. I didn’t, and I’m so proud of them.
I’m so proud that they say what’s on their mind. They sometimes don’t have a filter, and a lot of the time, that is such a good thing.”
Richards shares daughters Sami and Lola Sheen with ex-husband and fellow actor Charlie Sheen.
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