Gabrielle Union has revealed how filming drama series Truth Be Told unearthed specific memories of the rape she survived at the age of 19.
The 50-year-old actress explained how she struggled to film the series during an appearance on CBS Wednesday.
Union, who was attacked at gunpoint while at her summer job, described how the show — which focuses on “sexual violence against young people in the Bay Area” — forced her to face the “full force” of the rape she suffered suffered a teenager.
‘My brain pulled back the curtain on everything’: Gabrielle Union has revealed how filming season 3 of drama series ‘Truth Be Told’ brought back memories of the rape she survived at the age of 19
The Bring It On actress was unaware of the “depths” of detachment she suffered during the attack until she started working on the show.
“The show is about sexual violence against young people in the Bay Area. At 19 I experienced sexual violence, I was raped at gunpoint at my job and I was very aware of everything that had happened, but during the filming of this show I realized the depth of the distancing.
“So when it happened, and I’ve been describing that for 25 years, when it happened, I left my body, and that’s what they call dissociation, a kind of mental removal from where you are.
“But I thought I was myself when the police arrived. But during the filming of that show, I realized that for 30 years I thought I knew everything that had happened, but my mind protected me, and so for those five months, it was like my brain was pulling back the curtain on everything – Smells, everything that happened, how his skin feels, all that was finally revealed to me.
‘My mind protected me’: The ‘Bring It On’ actress was unaware of the ‘depths’ of dissociation she suffered during the attack until she started working on the show
“For 30 years I thought I knew. And I realized that if I had understood the magnitude of the trauma, I would not have survived at 19. And if I think about it, I was raped once. Once, and 30 years later, I’m still fighting. Victims of sexual violence experience this over and over again indefinitely until they decide they are no longer of any value.’
Gabrielle said she “struggled” off-camera while filming the show, which bore similarities to her own ordeal.
“I’ve been crying, and I’m not a crying person at all. At all. And I went home every night and cried. And my husband says, “What’s up?”
Her friends eventually arranged a “rebirth” ceremony for her so she could “resolve” the trauma.
Going out: Union was spotted in a denim maxi skirt and black blazer upon arrival at CBS Studios
On the final day of filming, she went to Malibu where she met with West African drummers and elders who were helping her “become the woman I will be.”
“And it was like finally feeling the full force of my rape and having to use that pain for art, for the greater good, and I just felt such an enormous responsibility and I didn’t exactly prioritize it, I just have it.” didn’t factor that into the work experience, to the point where my friends were planning a “rebirth” the day the show ended.
“And I literally went off the set to Malibu, and I came down to the beach, and I heard these West African drummers and the elders, who basically welcomed me as the woman I’m going to be, so I can finally let go of this trauma. ‘
Gabrielle was spotted in a denim maxi skirt, black blazer and platform heels upon arrival at CBS Studios.
Truth Be Told Season 3 premieres January 20 on Apple TV+.
Coming Soon: Truth Be Told Season 3 will premiere January 20 on Apple TV+.