Rumer Willis Looked For “Value” In Sex After Being “Shamed” Over Her Looks As A Teenager.
Host Jada Pinkett Smith admitted she understood that mindset.
The 32-year-old star who was in the public eye from a young age due to her famous parents, Bruce Willis and Demi Moore admitted she got into certain “situations” because she felt people were “entitled” to her if they showed an interest in her, which she believed is due to the way she struggled with her self-confidence after being trolled over her appearance.
Speaking on ‘Red Table Talk’, she said: “I would get myself into a situation and at some point I had learned that if someone wants, values me sexually, or I feel like they desire me, then they are entitled to me.
“When I was like 14, because I was so shamed like when all those blogs came out about how I looked, how my face looked, then my idea was that, ‘Oh, well then, if I’m desired sexually, then I have value.’”
She replied: “Now, I have to be honest with you.
“I went through that stage too, because I was always so petite. I wasn’t always ‘the girl’… You know, I did get caught up in that a little bit.”
The ‘House Bunny’ actress agreed that being viewed in a sexual way could feel “like a drug”.
Rumer also recalled how she was taken advantage of when she lost her virginity at 18, a time when she felt “shame” for not having had sex yet.
She said: “When I lost my virginity, when I was 18, I was more concerned with the shame that I was feeling at not having done it.
“I was not abused, or it wasn’t rape, but I didn’t say ‘yes.’ I wasn’t gung-ho about it, but I also didn’t say ‘no.’ I just let it happen.
“He was older and took advantage and didn’t check in. That’s where I feel like the man’s responsibility is. No means no, but what if you can’t say no?”
The ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’ actress recalled a recent incident with a man she’d been dating, who she invited into her home after they were kissing outside.
Once they got in, he began taking off her clothes and she “completely froze”.
She said: “I completely froze. I even have so much shame about bringing that up. I’m such this empowered, strong person but even I couldn’t do it. Could not say no. I could not say ‘I’m uncomfortable.’
“This is where I think it’s on the male side of responsibility. There was no awareness from him of my discomfort.
Even if I couldn’t say anything, I was obviously uncomfortable and trying to shut it down.”