Lady Gaga usually steals a show with her killer vocals and her wild style, but on Sunday at the 88th Academy Awards, it was her message about sexual abuse that took center stage. That very message inspired actress Jaime King to come forward about her own painful past.
Gaga performed her song “Til It Happens to You,” co-written with Diane Warren for the CNN documentary Hunting Ground about sexual assault on college campuses. She was joined onstage by survivors of rape and abuse with powerful statements like “not your fault” and “survivor” written on their outstretched forearms.
King seized the moment to share her experience.
Thank you @ladygaga – I finally felt a true healing from years of abuse as a minor in the industry. Time to be brave https://t.co/PwEXY4Xtyb
— Jaime King (@Jaime_King) February 29, 2016
A few hours after the Oscars ended, King posted an Instagram photo of her as a 14-year-old. Her lengthy caption began by thanking all the people in her life who have given her strength to survive. She then went onto explain her journey toward opening up.
King noted that she had been urged to make her past into a “cover story” but that she had instead waited to “express from my heart.” Perhaps the most jarring part of her post is the revelation that her sexual abuse started when she was 12 years old.
Lady Gaga, who has been a vocal supporter of embattled singer Kesha, voiced her support for King.
. @Jaime_King you are so brave to come forward, a warrior leading the way. I don’t feel alone anymore watching this happen is unreal.
— Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) March 1, 2016
“Thank you my sister,” King replied. “There are no words for what your Soul [has] done for me. I love you.”
H/T Jezebel | Screengrab via The Real Daytime/YouTube
