Exclusive: Chynna Phillips Speaks Out on Mackenzie's Affair With Dad
Credit: Kristin Barlowe; Yvonne Hemsey/Getty Images
In her new memoir High on Arrival, actress Mackenzie Phillips reveals how she had a 10-year affair with her father, musician John Phillips of the '60s band the Mamas and the Papas.
And in the new issue of Us Weekly (on newsstands now), her half-sister Chynna Phillips of the hit 90s group Wilson Phillips shares her side of the sad story.
Chynna, 41, tells Us Weekly she remembers getting the call from Mackenzie, 49, in 1997 — 11 years after the affair had ended — while she was between flights at LaGuardia Airport in New York City.
"She said, 'I don't know why, but I just really felt the need to call you and tell you something that I think you need to know,'" Chynna tells Us Weekly. "And she went on to tell me that she had had an incestuous relationship with our dad for about 10 years."
When the affair began, John was married to his third wife, model Genevieve Waïte. Chynna's reaction, naturally, was complete shock.
"Somebody could have dropped a piano on my head and I probably wouldn't have felt it," the singer tells Us Weekly. "But I knew it was true. I mean, who in their right mind would make such a claim if it wasn't true?"
She says the news sent her into "a deep, deep sadness and depression for about 10 days. A part of me died when I found out."
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In her book, Mackenzie — who, in 2008, pleaded guilty to one count of felony cocaine possession and agreed to enter an 18-month drug deferment program — also claims she and her father did drugs together. (She even tells Oprah Winfrey in an interview Wednesday, "My father shot me up for the first time.")
Chynna confirms to Us Weekly, "They were both doing drugs together.
"After long nights of heroin use, she's claiming that she once woke up and that my father was on top of her having sex with her," Chynna tells Us Weekly. "Was he actually raping her? I don't know. Do I believe that they had an incestuous relationship and that it went on for 10 years? Yes."
For more on the sad tale — including how a "disgusted" Chynna tried to distance herself from Mackenzie, why she eventually decided to stand by her half-sister and Mackenzie's lifelong struggle to stay sober — pick up the new Us Weekly today!
Tell Us What You Think
497Disgusting, but hey, it's possible.
I read the book over the Holidays which are always an abomination to me because of my own family abuse and molestation over the years. My heart goes out to her because I know what she is going through as her own family members rush to protect the abuser and not believe the victim.
Now it all make sence!
I bought and read Mackenzie's book in three days on my four days off. I believe it. Support her and I don't even know her. NO ONE WOULD WRITE THIS FOR MONEY!!!!!!!
It's been my experience that children don't make up this sort of thing. I'm in the middle of this book right now. I think Mackenzie is a very brave lady, to tell her story.
I commend Mackenzie for telling her story.The whole story ,not just parts of it.It takes alot of courage and strength to put it all out there for everyone to hear about.This subject needs to be addressed more.Thre are so many people out there who have been subjected to this type of abuse and are scared.Ashamed of what people might think of you and say.Some people even doubt that such a horrible incident could occurr.Because they didnt see anything or hear anything to lead them to believe that it could have happened.I truly believe Mackenzie and feel this was a hard decission for her,but she needs to heal herself.I would love to just give her a big hug and say I admire her for her strength and courage.I have not experienced incest personally.But I know what people forget is that we truly dont know what goes on behind close doors.Thank you Mackenzie,you have my support.Sara Geerlings-Limas
McKenzie should tell this story long time ago, she loves it, it seems her dad did not threathen her, so she should have let someone know. STOP TALKING NO ONE CARE
I know people from LA who knew John. He had no boundaries. They use to say he would __uck! a snake if he could hold it down long enough. H
And why didn't anyone report this or confront him while he was alive?Something just doesn't add up here and this has the all too familiar smell of money.
I upchucked after reading this.
How noble of Chynna to use her sister's disgusting news to promote her "religious" album. She is more disgusting than her sister.
Who in there right mind would say something like that if it wasn't true- how about a drug addict- they tend to lie you know and lies sell books.
I have been high and drunk and I aint never slept with my daddy! Again, ya nasty!!!!!!!
ya nasty!!!!!!!!
charges can't be brought against him...he's dead. has been for awhile.
Sick-o father for even thinking of this with his daughter or any other child,for that fact. Will charges be brought against him????
i cant stand that so called woman...she just makes me sick to my stomach
I have got to have the boots Chynna Phillips is wearing in her photos...anyone know who makes them?
My father may have been an alcoholic, but he never abused my sisters and I in any shape or form. This totally makes me appreciate that crazy old drunk father of mine even more. This story is more than repulsive to me, I cannot even imagine a father treating a daughter that way!!! Disgusting!
i feel nothig for this woman why didnt she do anything while her father was alive. anyone could make something up about a dead person. i believe it was a sick mutual relationship and now she just wants to make money off of it when really a normal person would not tell a sole and just seek profesional help for guidance not attention! wtf.. and i cant believe oprah would let her on her show. she is better than that.