Credit: Alamy
Orange Is The New Black Star Speaks Out About Alleged 10-Year Incestuous Relationship With Her Own Dad
Mackenzie Phillips, daughter of The Mamas & the Papas frontman John Phillips, has spoken out about her alleged incestuous relationship with her dad.
You may recognize Mackenzie from her acting roles in the Netflix sitcom One Day at a Time, the comedy-drama Orange Is the New Black, and movies like American Graffiti and Love Child.
Her sister, Chynna, is one-third of the pop band Wilson Phillips, alongside Carnie and Wendy Wilson, the daughters of Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys.
Chynna and Mackenzie’s father, John Phillips, was known for hits like ‘California Dreamin’ and ‘Monday, Monday,’ in the band he fronted with Chynna’s mother, Michelle Phillips.
Mackenzie Phillips’ personal life and relationships
Mackenzie has been married three times. Her first marriage was to rock manager Jeffrey Sessler, the son of promoter Freddie Sessler, and lasted from 1979 to 1981.
She later married rock guitarist Shane Fontayne in 1986, with the pair divorcing in 2000.
In 2005, she wed Keith Levenson, although that marriage also ended in divorce.
She has one child, a son, Shane Barakan, born in 1987, who is a musician.
In a March 2022 interview, Phillips said she has dated both men and women.
Mackenzie’s struggles with addiction
Mackenzie battled substance abuse for many years.
On August 27, 2008, she was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport after c***ine and heroin were found in her possession during a security screening.
Two months later, on October 31, she pleaded guilty to one felony count of cocaine possession and was ordered to complete a drug rehabilitation programme.
The charge was later dismissed after she successfully finished a drug diversion course.
In 2010, she appeared on the third season of Celebrity Rehab, which aired in January and February.
She later spoke publicly about her recovery during a March 17, 2010 appearance on The View.
Allegations against her father
In September 2009, Phillips released her memoir ‘High on Arrival,’ followed by a one-hour interview on The Oprah Winfrey Show.
During the interview, she said she first used c***ine at the age of 11 and alleged that her father supplied her with drugs and injected her with c***ine.
She also read excerpts from her book on air.
Mackenzie claimed that when she was 19, on the night before her first wedding in 1979, she woke from a blackout to find herself having s** with her father.
She said that when she later confronted him and asked why he had r***d her, he replied: “R***d you? Don’t you mean we made love?”
She described the subsequent relationship as ‘consensual,’ characterising it as a form of ‘Stockholm syndrome,’ but has also described the initial incident as r***, saying that inc**t is ‘an abuse of power… a betrayal of trust.’
She alleged that the abuse ended after she became pregnant and, concerned about the child’s parentage, she later had an abortion, which she said her father paid for.
John Phillips’ third wife, Genevieve Waite, denied the allegations, describing them as inconsistent with his character.
Michelle Phillips, his second wife, also said she had ‘every reason to believe’ the account was untrue.
However, Mackenzie’s half-sister Chynna Phillips said she believed the claims and stated that Mackenzie first told her about the relationship during a phone call in 1997, around 11 years after it had allegedly ended.
Mackenzie speaks out during interview with sister
In an interview for Chynna’s YouTube channel, Mackenzie opened up about the abusive relationship she had with her father.
Mackenzie claims that John had ‘a very dark side.’
During the interview with her sister, Chynna said: “I loved his laugh. Yet there was this whole other side to dad that was kind of, like, monster.”
Mackenzie agreed, adding: “He was so dark, and you just didn’t know who you were going to get… it was very unpredictable.”
The pair also mused on Chynna sticking by Mackenzie after she initially came forward with the abuse allegations.
Chynna said: “When I stood by you, I meant it with all my heart.
“And I believed you and I want you to know that I was proud of you for coming out, even though it was painful for everybody.”
Mackenzie added: “Dad was something else. And I get a lot of criticism and a lot of trolling online for having forgiveness in my heart.
“Forgiving is for me, not the other person. And forgiving doesn’t mean that I co-sign or agree with what I’m forgiving you for, or him for.
“It’s very complicated. It’s very, very complicated. And yet, I am at peace.”
Watch the interview below …
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, you can contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA’s) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (1-800-662-4357) or go to https://findtreatment.gov/
If you or someone you know has been s**ually assaulted, please contact the National S**ual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or rainn.org in the US, or contact r***crisis.org.uk or call 0808 500 2222 in the UK.
Related Article: Jackie Chan Slammed For Real-Life Relationship With Daughter After Movie Clip Goes Viral
Related Article: Dolly Parton Speaks Out About ‘Open’ Relationship With Husband Of 56 Years
Want more stuff like this?
Get the best viral stories straight into your inbox!
