Domestic violence is no less than an epidemic and has taken a toll on many families. Though the signs of domestic violence are visible, it has never been a cakewalk for women to leave the abusive relationship they share with their husbands or partners. Most mentally or physically tortured women are apprehensive about speaking out against the abuse. This is why you don’t read too many reports of domestic violence. It’s not only the average American who encounters domestic abuse. Even the famous faces from Hollywood are not exempted. Below is a list of the celebrities who have experienced domestic violence first-hand, have survived, and have become stronger through all the pain they have gone through.
Rihanna
Rihanna is a famous face in the music industry and has a huge fan following all over the world. It was 2009 when she was about to perform at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards. However, her show was canceled at the last moment as Chris Brown, her former boyfriend, was inflicting physical torture on her. The news of the physical assault started spreading like wildfire as soon as the word came out. Rihanna’s bruised face became public, and the incident made its way to the court. The time was a bit complicated for the singer as she got into a temporary relationship with Brown in 2013. Well, the matter is still complex as Brown happens to have a soft corner for Rihanna till now.
Charlize Theron
The Hollywood actress is a messenger of peace representing the United Nations. While growing up in South Africa, Theron lived with her father, who was not only alcoholic but abusive. He always threatened to kill the actress and her mother. Charlize was just 15 when her mother shot her father died in the act of self-defense. Though she will not forget whatever happened in her childhood, she prefers not to talk about it. She is credited as the founder of one of the two rape crisis centers in South Africa. Theron has also participated in the V-Day Project, which is known to raise money and spread awareness regarding women who go through physical and mental abuse.
Halle Berry
Halle Berry spent a significant part of her childhood seeing her mother getting tortured. She grew up watching her mother and older sister getting abused by her father. As luck would have it, she, too, had to bear the brunt of domestic violence in her own life. As revealed by Berry, she lost eighty percent of her right ear’s ability to hear owing to the constant beating she got from one of her boyfriends. Berry says she left him when he put his hand on her. She reveals that her mother always used to tell her that a woman should leave her when he beats her. The actress has been involved in fundraising and has lent her support to a Los Angeles shelter for victims of domestic violence named Jenesse Center.
Christina Aguilera
Fausto, the father of famous singer Christina Aguilera, was not only mercurial but also violent towards her growing up. According to what she revealed in an E! documentary, she has seen plenty of unpleasant things in her childhood, and all the fighting and quarreling within the family made Aguilera insecure. She took to singing to vent out her feelings of helplessness and getting powerless. The pain and torture inflicted on her at home led to her love for music. Though there was a brief reconciliation between Aguilera and Fausto, she was later compelled to break all ties with him. Aguilera has auctioned off a bunch of memorabilia and her concert tickets to help the victims of domestic violence. She is also involved in a lot of philanthropic activities.
Robin Givens
You might know Robin from The Game or Head of the Class. The actress tied the knot with the iconic boxer, Mike Tyson. However, the marriage lasted for only a year. As Robin said, Tyson physically abused her during their short-lived conjugal partnership. She even accused Tyson of saying that the best punch he has delivered in his life as a boxer was against his own better half. Well, Tyson faced a lot of criticism and served a three-year prison sentence after the duo divorced. The good news is that Robin is now a stronger individual.
Madonna and Tina Turner are other celebs who have experienced domestic abuse and have come out stronger. They are indeed an inspiration for many women worldwide who have been a victim of domestic violence and have dared not speak up.