[Smells Like News] Oprah: Chynna & Bijou Phillips Respond To Mackenzie's Ince...

Chynna Phillips appeared on Oprah today to respond to her half-sister Mackenzie's shocking revelations that she'd had a sexual relationship with their father John Phillips. Chynna says she believes her sister; however, she wouldn't share Oprah's stage with her.

It seems as though various members of Phillips' family are split over the allegations made in Mackenzie's memoir High on Arrival. In a written statement to Oprah, half-sister Bijou said the following:

When I was 13, Mackenzie told me that she had a consensual sexual relationship with our father. This news was confusing and it was also scary, as I lived alone with him since I was three. I didn't know what to believe, and it didn't help that shortly thereafter, it didn't happen. Mackenzie's history with our father is hers, but also clouded with 30 years of drug abuse. I hope she can come to terms with this and find peace. The life I had with my father was very different. He was Mr. Mom. He was encouraging and loving. The man that raised me would never be capable of doing such things, and if he was, it is heartbreaking for me to think that my family would leave me alone with him. I understand Mackenzie's need to come clean with the history that she feels will help others, but it's devastating to have the world watch as we try and mend broken fences, especially when the man in question isn't here to defend himself.

In the clip on the left, Mackenzie responds to Bijou's statement.


Mackenzie's half-brother Tamerlane posted a YouTube video, in which he neither denied nor confirmed the allegations, but instead referred to his family as a "bowl of dog urine" in comparison to his personal guru. He also added a caption to the video that says the following:

i am broke right now if you want to give me money contact my accountant anthony at abonsignore@agsny.com

Two of Mackenzie's former stepmothers, Genevieve Waite (mother of Bijou and Tamerlane), and Michelle Phillips (mother of Chynna), have dismissed the allegations entirely. In a statement to Oprah on Wednesday, Genevieve said:

I am stunned by Mackenzie's terrible allegations about her father. I would often complain about her overly familiar attitudes towards him, and he said it was just her way. John was a good man. … He was incapable, no matter how drunk or drugged he was, to have sexual relations with his own child.

Michelle Phillips has perhaps been the most vocal in her opinion. She admits that John Phillips was a bad father, but refuses to believe Mackenzie's claims of having had a sexual relationship with him. Michelle told the Hollywood Reporter:

Mackenzie has a lot of mental illness. She's had a needle stuck up her arm for 35 years. She was arrested for heroin and coke just recently. She did ‘Celebrity Rehab' and now she writes a book. The whole thing is timed... Mackenzie is jealous of her siblings, who have accomplished a lot and did not become drug addicts.

And in a statement to The Insider she said:

Mackenzie's drug addiction for 35 years has been the result of many unpleasant experiences. Whether her relationship with her father is delusional or not, it is an unfortunate circumstance and very hurtful for our entire family.

In the clip at left, Mackenzie addresses Michelle's recent statements.


But it's not just family members who are responding to Mackenzie's story of incest and rape. Jessica Woods—daughter of the Mamas & the Papas' Denny Doherty—contacted Oprah in a statement, confirming that the allegations are true:

I just watched your show with Mackenzie Phillips. Tears are running down my face. Everything she said is true. My dad told me the awful truth. He was horrified at what John had done and knew all of it.

In the clip to the left, Mackenzie reacts to Jessica's support.


Owen Elliott [pictured left]—daughter of the late Mama Cass—released a statement to Extra today, also confirming the allegations:

Mackenzie is my best friend. She speaks her truth, and it's not a pretty truth. She has lived with this for 30+ years, and talking about this now is an important part of her recovery. I am very proud of her. Her bravery in telling her story is bound to help others.

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Posted By sysop to Smells Like News at 9/26/2009 10:05:00 A
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