Christina Applegate Opens Up About Childhood Trauma in New Memoir

A Candid Reflection on Past Trauma

Los Angeles: Christina Applegate, known for her roles in films like Hall Pass, Vacation, and Bad Moms, has bravely shared her experience of being molested by a female babysitter, an event that has profoundly affected her life.

At 54, Applegate, who was mainly raised by her mother Nancy Priddy after her father Robert Applegate left when she was an infant, has penned a memoir titled 'You With the Sad Eyes.' In it, she reflects, 'I knew every part of it was wrong. I felt sick and scared and sad…'

She expressed, 'I have never felt entirely at ease with being touched, and that remains true to this day. This discomfort stems from that girl making me do something I barely understood but knew was shameful.'

Her early life was marked by instability, largely due to her mother's battle with heroin addiction and a physically abusive partner who also mistreated Christina, as reported by a media outlet.

Applegate noted, 'From ages 3 to 7, I think I faced one of the worst situations. But similar issues were prevalent in many homes—single mothers, men coming and going, drugs.'

The actress clarified that her intention in sharing her story is not to portray herself as a victim but to empower others. She stated, 'I hope my experiences resonate with someone who has faced molestation or abuse, helping them realize they will be okay.'

As a mother to 15-year-old Sadie with husband Martyn LeNoble, Applegate embraces a supportive parenting style, saying, 'I don’t subscribe to the idea that you shouldn’t be friends with your kids. I am her biggest supporter and advocate.'

She humorously added, 'I often go into her room wearing a diaper and a tank top, sometimes even drawing faces on my belly button, which makes her cringe.'