Heidi Blickenstaff describes her terrifying experience. Details inside.
by Ana Walia | Thu, 10 Nov 2022 21:31:03 GMT
Heidi Blickenstaff talks about her horrifying experience. Image Source: People 

Heidi Blickenstaff talks about her horrifying experience.

Broadway star Heidi Blickenstaff recently spoke to People magazine for their cover story, where she revealed that her older cousin, who was 12 years her senior, sexually abused her from ages 4 to 7.

Heidi Blickenstaff explained that she was groomed and manipulated into believing that her cousin's behavior was normal because they were in love, adding that it was very insidious and that it was never discussed in her family for a very long time because she was 7 years old when it ended but it had been going on for years. The actress said that she does not know about the whereabouts of her cousin anymore.

The actress, who is currently on tour with Alanis Morissette's Jagged Little Pill, stated that she feels relieved while telling her story, as the musical Jagged Little Pill centers on a flawed family dealing with heavy topics such as sexual abuse and substance abuse. Heidi Blickenstaff clarified that she feels conquered to perform because individuals who have gone through similar trauma to her can identify and understand that it was not their fault, even though she had suppressed the trauma for years.

The Broadway star went on to explain how it started, saying it would happen around holidays when they were spending time with her father's side of the family and the older cousin would find his way into her trust, which he did. She described it as deception, starting with revealing to her that it was very standard behavior and that this is what people who love each other do, before going on to say that his actions were unsuitable, intrusive, and criminal. She continued by claiming that her cousin tricked her into trying to keep things hidden despite her unease.

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Heidi Blickenstaff continued that there was one time he took her out back and stepped on the head of a dead animal and told her that if she said anything, that would be her. When she was around 7, her older brother Matt witnessed her cousin take her away from others and immediately alerted their mother. She mentioned that her mother caught them alone together and asked them what they were doing and told her cousin that he was never supposed to be alone with her before she checked on her and asked her if she was okay.

Heidi said that she went to bury all the memories and how she felt at the time deep down, and eventually, she found her calling with performing arts and got her to start at Fresno's Good Company Players, where she played Annie in the musical of the same name. It was a break from reality, she says, but it came with mixed emotions. The actress recalled that during a press event for Annie, she was singing "Tomorrow," and a spotlight hit her, and suddenly she saw all of the people in the audience, and instead of feeling like, "Oh, I get to escape," she felt exposed.

The Broadway star continued that it was the first real panic attack she had ever had and that she remembers it crawling from her toes to every cell in her body, and it was enough to ruin what should have been this safe place for her because she had a monster living inside of her. By the time she was 30, she asked for medical help, starting with therapy. After Christine Blasey Ford came out in 2018 and spoke about of been sexually assaulted by Brett Kavanaugh, the actress revealed on social networks that she, too, was a surviving member of the sexual assault. She said she wanted to take up arms with her, noting that although she does not know Christine Blasey Ford, her bravery inspired her to speak out.

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Heidi Blickenstaff's family was at the forefront of her mind. She told the publication that she had told her parents she was going to publicly share it, and that she had even sent them a manuscript of what she was going to publish before she did. And, much to her astonishment, they were very encouraging, and she recalled her father telling her that whatever she needed to do to feel good about this, they would encourage her. Heidi stated that she had always feared that she was the person who sustained the terrible thing but now she needs to be the person who rips everyone's worlds apart asserting it out, so she is weighed down not only with what occurred but also with the aftereffects of what it does.

If you suspect child abuse, call 1-800-4-A-CHILD or 1-800-422-4453 or go to www.childhelp.org. All attempts to call are toll-free and private information. The helpline is accessible in over 170 language groups 24/7.

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