*In a courageous Instagram video, Heaven Howard, the third child of actor Terrence Howard, revealed a deeply personal trauma: at age 7, she was molested by her cousin.
As Vibe reports, the disclosure was tied to her involvement in the short film “Princess Love,” which explores themes of generational abuse. Despite the weight of her experience, Howard’s message was one of forgiveness and resilience.
“I forgive him,” she said of her cousin, explaining that he, too, had been a victim of sexual assault at age 2. “He deserved to be protected, but he wasn’t,” she added, reflecting on the cycle of pain that shaped their shared history.
Howard admitted to feeling nervous about speaking out, and she wasn’t entirely sure she was ready to share. Yet, her decision to do so was driven by a desire to raise awareness and support the message of “Princess Love.”
The film, directed by Chris Dabney, follows 16-year-old Madison (played by Howard), who grapples with the aftermath of sexual assault and pregnancy after her mother’s death. Left to navigate her pain alone, Madison turns to her father, Mark (Eric Roberts), for support. Howard praised Dabney’s sensitive portrayal of generational trauma, calling herself “so thankful” for his work.
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“I am not afraid. I am not ashamed. I am proud,” Howard declared, urging viewers not to pity her but to engage with the story.
“Watch and understand that this happens. Don’t look away,” she said.
The film, now available on Prime Video, Apple TV, and YouTube, serves as both a creative outlet and a platform for Howard to name her experience and advocate for others.
“I’m so grateful to be able to speak and put a name to it,” she shared, emphasizing the importance of confronting such issues openly.
Howard hopes the film will encourage others to face difficult truths.
“Let the story guide you,” she said, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to a project that sheds light on a pervasive issue.
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