Ashley Judd's new memoir came out today. All That Is Bitter & Sweet...details her childhood that was filled lies, pain and sexual abuse. (Who knew?)
According to Ashley:
"My mother, while transforming herself into country legend Naomi Judd, created an origin myth for the Judds that did not match my reality. She and my sister were quoted as saying our family put the 'fun' in dysfunction. I wondered: 'Who, exactly, was having all the fun? What was I missing?'"
And the book has quite a bit of drama...apparently Naomi let Ashley's dad Michael Ciminella believe he was her sister Wynonna's dad too...but actually Charlie Jordan really was!
Her parents split when she was young...but than Naomi let her new man move in...Ashley states that he was an "abusive full-blown heroin addict with a criminal record. I was taught to believe that our lifestyle was normal and never to question it or complain. I loved my mother, but at the same time dreaded the mayhem."
Then she recounts her sexual abuse:
"An old man everyone knew beckoned me into a dark, empty corner and offered me a quarter for the pinball machine at the pizza place if I'd sit on his lap. He opened his arms, I climbed up, and I was shocked. He suddenly cinched his arms around me, squeezing me and smothering my mouth with his, jabbing his tongue deep into my mouth."
She ended up checking herself in for counseling in 2006 to deal with her "issues". Can't wait to pick up a copy of the new book!