In a candid and heartfelt conversation, Carrie Ann Inaba opened up about the challenges she faced in her early years and how they influenced her life as an adult. The beloved cohost of The Talk shared a deeply personal story about how she coped with the emotional scars left behind after being molested as a young child. For years, she carried the weight of that experience alone, even going so far as to alter her appearance in an attempt to avoid unwanted attention. Her story is one of courage, vulnerability, and the long road to healing.
Carrie Ann's Journey: How Childhood Trauma Shaped Her Life
When Carrie Ann was just a child, she found herself in a situation that no one—especially a child—should ever have to endure. In a recent episode of The Talk, she bravely revealed that she blamed herself for what happened. “When I was a child, I was molested, and I thought that it was because I was attractive,” the 51-year-old confessed. This belief stayed with her for years, affecting the way she viewed herself and the world around her. As a result, Carrie Ann made a conscious decision to change her appearance, opting for a tomboy look instead of embracing her femininity. She hoped that by doing so, she could prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.
View this post on InstagramIt’s #monday and it’s gonna be a great week! I wore white today because it just felt right… and my pink dress broke 🥴 (zippers). But that’s okay, even if I wanted to match Julia Roberts #oscar dress color today, sometimes you just go with the flow and it works out. Dress : @blackhalo Shoes: @giuseppezanotii Earrings: @gorjana @marylinmakeup @stevegberg @krickylu_eclectic #gowiththeflow #mondays
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The Impact on Her Self-Esteem and Choices
Carrie Ann explained how deeply her childhood trauma affected her self-esteem. She admitted that she would intentionally make choices to downplay her appearance, believing it would protect her from unwanted attention. “I think because of that, I really grew up kind of more like a tomboy,” she revealed. “I would look in the mirror and be like, ‘I like this,’ and then I would do something to make it uglier on purpose.” Her actions were a reflection of the internal struggle she faced, constantly questioning her worth and trying to shield herself from the pain of the past. She would tell herself things like, “Oh, it looks too pulled together, this outfit, I better wear flip flops with this dress” or something similar to make it feel less polished. This pattern of behavior became a part of her life, a coping mechanism that lingered for years.
Coming Forward: A Step Toward Healing
Carrie Ann first shared her story over a year ago while guest cohosting an episode of The Talk. The conversation was sparked by a documentary about Whitney Houston, which claimed the late singer was sexually abused by her cousin, the late singer Dee Dee Warwick. Hearing about Whitney’s experience prompted Carrie Ann to open up about her own trauma. “It’s true, I was molested as a kid, and I feel exactly what you just said,” she bravely shared after cohost Sharon Osbourne spoke about the “hole” that abuse can leave in a person’s life. Carrie Ann emphasized the profound impact such experiences can have, noting how difficult it is to move forward without proper support and understanding.
This past March, Carrie Ann delved deeper into her painful past, discussing the challenges of forgiving her mother, who was unaware of the abuse. “She couldn’t see things,” Carrie Ann said of her mom, Patty Inaba, during an episode of The Talk. “It’s not that she allowed it. She couldn’t see it because she loved the various people around.” Despite her mother’s lack of awareness, Carrie Ann initially struggled with the fact that her mom didn’t believe her story. “At the beginning of the healing, when you start to recognize that you’ve had this experience, you want that apology,” she explained. The disbelief she faced only added to her pain, making her feel isolated and misunderstood. However, she eventually came to understand her mother’s perspective and realized the importance of forgiveness for her own well-being.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
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