'So You Think You Can Dance' judge Mary Murphy reveals rape, abuse
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Mary Murphy, the "So You Think You Can Dance" judge whose laughter and boisterous shrieks cause ears to ring, wasn't always so cheerful.The 51-year-old dancer revealed to Us Weekly that she endured a nine-year abusive relationship, during which she was beaten and raped repeatedly.
The abuser was her ex-husband, whose name Murphy withholds. She claims that a fight three months into their marriage led to the first rape, during which he knocked a knife out of her hands and held her down.
Through the years, Murphy endured a pattern of abuse: "A fight, then rape, then presents -- a dress, a diamond bracelet, earrings ..."
She never reported the abuse because she was too ashamed to tell. What finally broke the cycle was learning that her husband had proposed to another woman during a trip to the Middle East.
"This is what motivated me to leave him," says Murphy.
She saved up some money and took the Hot Tamale Train (she drove) to San Diego where she called her husband requesting a divorce.
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she should have done this long time ago!...but good job then...there will be lots of opportunities for her!
why would you withhold the name? it's just going to leak out anyways
It would be interesting to know how long ago this happened and why she's suddenly telling people. I don't care who her ex was but now she should be telling her story to high school & college kids. No one, and I mean no one should go through that kind of s**t for 9 years!! Sadly, there ARE many women out there enduring this type of situation and too afraid to say anything...sigh!
I am very please that Mary Murphy came out and told the world the true about her abuse. I am very proud of her because takes years sometimes for abused women to tell theri stories. We keep revictimizing victims asking them stupid questions about why they never called police or leave. Intimidation and fear are very powerful and lack of understanding by family members and friends make things worse for the victim. I run groups for victims of domestic violence for the last 10 years and I know how difficult is for women to leave. Congratulations Mary, God bless
Alberto Olarte
I had heard that her husband was very upset that she had to continue to dance into the 4 month of her pregnancy and acused her of killing their baby because she had danced the night before her miscarriage. The knife that he held to her was taken from her hands after she did the threatening. There is always 3 sides to every story, his, hers and the truth.
In response to Mike Conrad. In her story, Mary says that he took the knife from her. So that fits with her side, his side and the truth. As a medical professional, unless you have an existing medical condition, a pregnant mother can continue with almost any activity that her body is accustomed to without having problems. It is a fact that 1 in every 4 women are abused in this country. It should not be minimalized. It happens in all walks of life, it is not often reported, and it is a vicious cycle that is hard to break free from out of pure fear and the lack of self-esteem which occurs from the abuse itself. In listening to Mary's story, it seems like she is just hoping that her story will help somebody else. In her words, "If it helps just one person, it was worth telling my story." As she trys to help kids learn to dance who cannot aford it knowing the joy it brought her in life, she is also reaching out to abused women. I don't think she has an ulterior motive. Afterall, she didn't name her ex-husband.
Mary Murphy done a great thing of telling. Things like that shouldnt be held in. Im fourteen and I was molested and my step father beat my mom and I had to watch it. I didnt want to tell but my mom and sister nad I needed to be free of his abuse. When I heard about Mary's situation, I wanted to cry. I love her to death. Even though I dont know her personally, she is a great women and she souldnt of went through all that crap her husband put her through. I think she should go to schools and talk about it, to help other teenagers or women out who wont tell. That are afraid to tell. Her story touched my heart and im only fourteen!!
isso é um absurdo. Eu sou brasileira e assisto o So You Think You Can Dance aqui. Sou apaixonada por essa mulher! Ela é extraordinaria, linda, muito engraçada e tem a risa da e os gritos mais gostosos do mundo!
Como alguem pode ter coragem de fazer algo assim como uma pessoa como ela?
Estou indignada...
Not saying this is wrong to report it but you she should have done it because shes letting him win, she is letting him do it, she stayed out of her own will. She only left him because of jealousy which that shouldn't have been the case. Shes basically teaching victims the wrong way ! I love Marry and I'm very upset that, that MONSTER would RAPE, ABUSE, & CHEAT on that beautiful, sucssesful women HOW DARE he she is beautiful, famous and rich with a great personality what more could this guy want ? And not to mention she put up with this JERK for YEARS !
hi first i am sorry you rapped. then hi how are u the fist time when i see on tv i like you so much and i want to e-mail address but i can't please send me.