Note: This story was originally published in September 2012.
In a deeply personal interview, Pattie Mallette, mother of pop star Justin Bieber, opened up about the hardships that shaped her life long before fame entered it. As a teenager, Mallette endured years of sexual abuse—an experience she recounts candidly in her memoir Nowhere But Up. The trauma left her burdened with shame and self-blame, emotions she says are common among survivors.
Her emotional pain eventually led to a suicide attempt during her teen years. Looking back, she described it as the result of prolonged abuse compounded by depression and substance use. “It was a breaking point,” she admitted. At just 17, Mallette found herself pregnant with Justin. Despite strong pressure to terminate the pregnancy, she made the life-changing decision to keep her baby.....
