Denise Richards revealed that she was pressured into staying silent about being Sєxually harᴀssed as a young actress.

While reflecting on the experience, which occurred at the start of her career, the Wild Things star, 54, explained why she did not come forward or file a Sєxual harᴀssment lawsuit.  

‘I was told I would be blacklisted,’ the Wild Things star, 54, told People. ‘I felt so vulnerable.’

She continued: ‘This was the career I wanted to do. To be told that you’re never going to work in an industry that you are pᴀssionate about, it’s a hard thing.’ 

Richards went on to state that she is ‘amazed’ by the changes made within the entertainment industry following the #MeToo movement. 

‘I am glad that women are able to have more of a voice and be more protected,’ the mother-of-three said. ‘If that happened at this age, I would handle it differently, but I was so young and an unknown and [just] starting out.’

Denise Richards revealed that she was pressured into staying silent about being Sєxually harᴀssed as a young actress; seen in 2023

Since becoming a mom, the reality star said she has learned a lot from watching her three girls daughters, Sami, 20, Lola, 19, and Eloise, 13. 

‘I look at my daughters doing our show and being such strong women,’ she raved. ‘If I had that, I think I would’ve been able to handle it a little differently.’ 

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‘I wish I had the confidence that they have because I would never be able to stand out for myself the way they do,’ Richards stated. ‘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 also reflected on being ‘such a people pleaser’ at the start of her career, whereas her daughters don’t struggle to express themselves as much as she did. 

‘I love that my girls, this early in their career, that they’re able to [speak up].’ Sometimes I’m like, ‘You might want to tone it down,’ but for the most part I’m glad that they’re able to say [what’s on their mind.] I wish I was able to back then. 

While appearing on season three premiere of Fox’s Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test, last month, Richards also spoke candidly about a Sєxual ᴀssault she suffered as a teenager. 

‘I really want to learn how to not be overwhelmed by fear – I’ve been through traumatic situations that have been very terrifying for me. I want to learn how to deal with those issues and be stronger,’ Richards said.

‘I was told I would be blacklisted,’ the Wild Things star, 54, told People. ‘I felt so vulnerable’ (seen in 1999)

Richards went on to state that she is ‘amazed’ by the changes made within the entertainment industry following the #MeToo movement; seen in 1998

After failing to complete an exercise on the program called a helicopter extraction, the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum explained to the show’s Directing Staff (DS) that she was ‘not petrified’ but instead ’emotional.’

The Downers Grove, Illinois native said on the program, ‘I’ve been through traumatic situations that have been very terrifying for me. I want to learn how to deal with those issues and be stronger.’

The DS personnel told Richards she had ‘a deer in the headlights kind of look’ and ‘froze’ in her effort.

The actress responded, ‘Yes, I’m completely overcome by certain fearful situations, and I want to learn how to stay calm and do something.

‘Part of the reason I wanted to do this course is I’ve been in situations where I freeze and I can’t function, I can’t even speak to protect myself.’

Richards referenced a November 2022 road rage incident in Los Angeles, in which sH๏τs were fired at Ford F-150 Shelby truck she was a pᴀssenger in as her husband Aaron Phypers, 52, was driving her to work.

‘I am glad that women are able to have more of a voice and be more protected,’ the mother-of-three said. ‘If that happened at this age, I would handle it differently, but I was so young and an unknown and [just] starting out’ (pictured in January 2024)

While appearing on season three premiere of Fox’s Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test, last month, Richards also spoke candidly about a Sєxual ᴀssault she suffered as a teenager

‘He didn’t want me going alone, thank God, and we were physically sH๏τ at in his truck, and I sat on the floor and was just literally, I peed,’ she said. ‘I was so scared … I froze.’

The Starship Troopers actress then recalled being Sєxually ᴀssaulted as a teen.

‘The first time I ever experienced that I was 15 and I noticed a man following me,’ Richards said. ‘He came up from behind me, put his hand around my mouth, grabbed my vagina, and started dragging me, and I froze, like I couldn’t even scream for help.

‘It’s so scary to have that situation, you know, that age and be so vulnerable. And I have three daughters, and I want them to be able to never go through that. And also, if something, God forbid, happen to be strong enough.’

Richards made further remarks about the past incident in a confessional segment on the show.

‘I think that I haven’t addressed a lot of what I have gone through, and it’s very terrifying,’ Richards said. ‘I don’t know if I would be able to get over my past.’