Gabrielle Union reveals how filming Truth Be Told unearthed memories of the rape she endured

Gabrielle Union has revealed how filming the drama series Truth Be Told unearthed specific memories of the rape she survived at the age of 19.

The actress, 50, detailed how she struggled to film the series during an appearance on CBS on Wednesday.

Union, who was assaulted at gunpoint while working her summer job, described how the show, which focuses on “sexual violence against youth in the Bay Area,” forced her to reckon with “the worst part” of the rape he endured as a teenager.

The Bring It On actress was unaware of the “depth” of dissociation she had suffered during the attack until she began working on the show.

‘The show is about youth sexual violence in the Bay Area. At 19 I experienced sexual violence, I was raped at gunpoint at work, and everything that had happened was very clear to me, but throughout the filming of this program, I realized the depth of the disengagement.

So when it was happening, and when I’ve been describing this for 25 years, when it was happening, I left my body, and that’s what they call dissociation, kind of mentally moving away from where you are.

“But I thought I was back to myself when the police came. But throughout the filming of this show, I realized that for 30 years, I thought I knew everything that had happened, but my mind was protecting me, and for those five months, it was like my brain was opening the door. curtain. in everything: smells, everything that happened, how his skin felt, all of it, was finally revealed to me.

‘My mind was protecting me’: Bring It On actress was unaware of the ‘depth’ of dissociation she had suffered during the attack until she started working on the show

‘For 30 years, I thought I knew. And I realized that he would not have survived the age of 19 knowing the enormity of the trauma. And when 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 you are no longer worth it.

Gabrielle said she ‘struggled’ off camera filming the show, which had similarities to her own test.

‘I cried, and I’m not a cry person at all. Absolutely. And I would go home every night and cry. And my husband says, “What’s going on?”

Her friends eventually arranged a ‘rebirth’ ceremony for her so that she would ‘release’ the trauma.

Leaving: Union was spotted arriving at CBS Studios in a long jean skirt and black blazer

On the last day of filming, she went to Malibu, where she met West African drummers and elders who helped shape her into the ‘woman I’m going to be.’

“And it was like finally feeling the full weight of my violation and having to use that pain for art, for the greater good, and I felt such an enormous responsibility, and I wasn’t exactly prioritizing myself, I just didn’t.” I factored that into work experience, to the point where my friends scheduled a “renaissance” the day the show ended.

“And I literally went from the set to Malibu, I got to the beach, and I heard these West African drummers and the elderly, basically welcoming me into the woman that I’m going to be, so that I can finally release this trauma.’

Gabrielle was seen arriving at CBS Studios wearing a long jean skirt, a black blazer and platform heels.

The third season of Truth Be Told will premiere on Apple TV+ on January 20.

Coming soon: Season 3 of Truth Be Told will premiere on Apple TV+ on January 20.