Mackenzie Phillips, known for her role in One Day at a Time, shocked the world eight years ago by revealing a dark family secret – she had been involved in an incestuous relationship with her father.

This revelation has left deep scars on her family relationships, creating a divide that seems impossible to bridge.

In her book High on Arrival, Phillips disclosed the disturbing truth that her father, John Phillips of The Mamas & the Papas, s**ually assaulted her when she was just 19 years old, while both were under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

This traumatic event marked the beginning of a prolonged and consensual incestuous relationship that lasted for a decade.

Despite her bravery in coming forward, Phillips continues to face backlash from certain family members who refuse to forgive her for exposing the painful reality of her past.

She recounts how she was excluded from a birthday celebration because one relative was not ready to forgive her for the trauma she endured or for revealing the family’s dark secrets.

As a recovering drug addict turned drug rehab counselor at Breathe Life Healing Center, Phillips acknowledges the ongoing struggle of being ostracized by her own family.

Instead of dwelling on the rejection, she seeks solace from her counselor and loved ones, recognizing that some family members are unable to move past their anger and resentment towards her.

She reflects on the complexities of her situation, understanding that her decision to speak out challenged the family’s efforts to uphold a façade of normalcy and avoid confronting painful truths.

By choosing to break this façade, she inadvertently became the target of negative reactions and criticism from those unwilling to confront the harsh realities she exposed.

When her initial book was released in 2009, several family members publicly criticized her, with some accusing her of fabricating stories and others lamenting the timing of her revelations, as her deceased father could not defend himself against the allegations.

In an emotional statement, her half-sister Chynna expressed mixed emotions about the public disclosure of their family’s private turmoil, acknowledging Mackenzie’s intentions to shed light on her past but also highlighting the challenges of repairing fractured family bonds without the patriarch present to address the accusations.

Phillips’ other half-sister, Bijou, echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the difficulty of reconciling with the past and moving forward in the absence of their father’s voice.

The family’s struggle to navigate these revelations in the public eye has undoubtedly taken a toll on their efforts to rebuild trust and understanding among themselves.

Hopeful Healing: Essays on Managing Recovery and Surviving Addiction, Phillips’ latest book, delves deeper into her journey of healing and self-discovery.

Despite the ongoing challenges she faces within her family dynamic, Phillips remains committed to her own recovery and growth, seeking strength and support from those who understand her struggles.