Michelle Madrigal reveals she’s a survivor of child sexual abuse: ‘I carried this burden alone’

Michelle Madrigal. Image: Instagram/@mitch_madrigal

“Star Circle Quest” alum Michelle Madrigal is ending the year on a more empowered note as she opened up about surviving sexual abuse at a time when her “innocence was cruelly taken” amid her “tumultuous adolescence.”

On her Instagram account Saturday, Dec. 30, Madrigal revealed that she was a survivor of sexual abuse as a child, saying she “endured sexual abuse at a tender age for a number of years.” She did not disclose her abuser’s identity.

“Unaware I was experiencing PTSD [post-traumatic stress disorder], I carried this burden alone until I sought help from a therapist at 20. For nearly a decade, I held onto something that was finally released when I opened up. Understanding my rebellious phase suddenly made sense,” she wrote.

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The former actress then admitted that she sought solace in “drugs and alcohol” as a way of escaping “overwhelming emotions, unworthiness, and fear” when she was younger.

“Understanding my rebellious phase suddenly made sense. Shame and self-blame consumed me for years.” she recalled while reminiscing on her younger years. “I often questioned why it happened to me.”

This painful experience led to Madrigal using her story as a guiding force to “empower others to step forward and begin their healing journey,” as she discovered that “three out of five” of women undergo “some form of sexual abuse.”

“My purpose in life is clear: to support survivors. I’ve always yearned to use my voice for a greater cause, and my mission is to help one survivor at a time feel acknowledged and secure, reassuring them that their story is significant,” she said. “As a mother, it’s my paramount responsibility to educate my daughter about these realities.”

While noting her sentiments as a mom, Madrigal said “past generations often lacked the knowledge and tools” to address issues like sexual abuse, which ultimately resulted in some victims sweeping it under the rug.

“Many children don’t feel safe enough to confide in anyone, let alone their parents, about their experiences. I’m determined to change that narrative, to extend a helping hand, and foster an environment where openness and support prevail,” she added.

Madrigal, who was active in Filipino show biz until 2016, is currently based in Texas in the US where she works as a real estate agent and a model.