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October marks National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and with only a few more days to go, one funnywoman is giving some insight into her very sad family past.'Clean House' host Niecy Nash appeared on the CBS daytime talk show 'The Talk' to discuss the domestic violence she experienced as teen.
"I saw my mother get shot by her boyfriend," the Emmy Award-winning television personality shared. "He just turned in one moment and looked like a person who you just did not recognize."
Nash said her mother's was shot with a sawed-off double-barrel shotgun and that the incident took place in front of all of her siblings.
"I don't wish this on anyone," she continued. "I believe that you take those first signs, when somebody shows you a part of them that would abuse you and hurt you and hit you with the same hand that they hug you with, and get out immediately. Immediately," she said.Luckily for the former 'Dancing With the Stars' finalist, her mother survived the shooting, but the family's brush with domestic violence haunted both Nash and her mother.
"In that moment, I decided to stop feeling it just cost me too much, so I just said, 'I don't want to feel anything.' I was walking around in life with this dark cloud over me, and I was a very negative person," the comedic actress disclosed. "My comedy was really birthed out of the tragedies that I experienced in life."
The 'Reno 911' star said that after the shooting, her brother died, which sent her mother into a spiral of depression.
"I was in my early twenties, and I would go stand at the foot of my mother's bed and tell her jokes and stories because I knew I was funny and that was the only thing I could do while she was suffering," Nash told 'The Talk' and 'Early Show' co-host Julie Chen.
The 40-year-old mother of three said that her jokes put her mother in a better space, and eventually she invited friends over to hear her comedian daughter.
But for Nash, she had to deal with how the domestic violence affected her in her own way.
"I'm grateful that I was able to find a way out of that darkness, because it can be a cloud over you. I was so afraid to feel," she revealed. "I had to go back and cry all my un-cried tears. ...I stayed in my tub until I had filled it up with my tears. When I got out, I said, 'It's time to start right over.'"
Now, Nash is happily engaged and planning her wedding with Jay Tucker. The couple plans to marry next May.
"I want to be a picture, and I want my mom to be a picture of what survivors look like, because you can choose to be depressed and broken down or you can celebrate the fact [that you overcame it]," she said.
"A good friend of mine, who is also my matron of honor in my wedding, Sheryl Lee Ralph says, 'Any day above ground is a good day.",
And today is certainly a good day for Niecy Nash.
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10 Facts About Niecy Nash
1. Niecy is 40 years old -- she's "40, Fabulous N' Flirty!"
2. Niecy was born in Los Angeles and was raised between Los Angeles and St. Louis.
3. Niecy is all about her sister-friends. She is still best friends with a small, tight-knit group of women she has known for years.
4. Niecy is the proud mother of three children, ages 18, 15, and 10.
5. Niecy is known for wearing a flower in her hair.
6. Niecy's first acting job was in a scene playing opposite Whoopi Goldberg in the 1995 film, "Boys on the Side."
7. Niecy wore a prosthetic derriere for her infamous character, Deputy Raineesha Williams, on the hit Comedy Central series, "Reno 911!"
8. Niecy has been the host of the popular Style Network home makeover series, "Clean House," since 2003. She is also a producer on the show.
9. Niecy is a celebrity ambassador for the non-profit organization, Dress for Success, and is also an avid supporter of breast cancer, HIV/AIDS, and domestic violence prevention programs.
10. Niecy loves to watch "American Idol" with her children and they hold family talent shows at their home.
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Comments: (17)
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By: levelsone on 10/29/2010 9:21AM
It's wonderful to see the heightened awareness given to Domestic Violence and good of Nicey Nash to share her experience. The issue is very complex and troubling one and often it is difficult to help the affected partners. Just this morning I saw a couple tussling on the street and intervened to ask whether they were okay. They soon stopped and walked off to wherever. I was amazed that no one else bothered to help the couple but and I know why. More needs to be done to educate people about domestic violence.
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By: johnny on 10/29/2010 4:23PM
Are we using the term domestic violence to just to identify only violence against women? If so, then violence against men by women is acceptable. Right, men are never victims and they should take it.
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By: sadie on 10/31/2010 11:21PM
No, Johnny, violence against men is unacceptable as well. Domestic violence knows no gender; it is perpetrated against both genders. We need to work to be rid of all domestic violence.
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By: Deb on 11/01/2010 2:04AM
Johny - you are an idiot. How you interpreted this article to be anti - male, is beyond me. Did you really read it - or are you so stuck in your own situaltion/agenda -- that you are incapable of having empathy for someone else! Niecy is a brave, brave human being. Your coment leads me to believe that you may have a chip on your shoulder because you have suffered abuse in your life (or, you are a sociapath). Either way -don't project your garbage onto someone else.
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By: Richard Ott on 10/31/2010 1:22PM
This is off topic, but I wonder who Niecy's
next pick will be for the latest couple to be
voted off Dancing With The Stars? As for me,
I say it will be Bristol & Mark. If they were
to end up in the finals with Brandy & Maks
and another couple, chances are that Bristol
& Mark could win over my pick, Brandy & Maks,
and they might be eliminated first, unless
Bristol & Mark get eliminated by this Tuesday.
I picked Brandy & Maks to win the trophy, even
before they were announced as participants
for this season on Dancing With The Stars,
just when they were rumored to be on the show!
Make it safe 7 weeks in a row, Brandy & Maks!
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By: Gichaya on 11/01/2010 11:37PM
I adore Niecey and am proud of her accomplishments. I'm sure it was a long hard struggle for her, especially being a single mom....BUT....everybody has a story to tell and hers doesn't appear to be much different from thousands of other women. My point is....why share all of your personal business to the world. Some things the world doesn't need to know, or even care to know.
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By: Karen on 10/31/2010 9:39PM
Thank God you've never been a victom nor known anyone who is or you would understand that Niecy Nash is using her powerful voice and her story BECAUSE so many go through it { male and female, yes, both suffer and are abused and men are not slighted in this tale, it just happens to be the story of a female. } and sometimes the best way for anyone to get out of such a situation is just one person sharing that they understand, they have been through it, and they survived. The theory of hiding your dirty laundry is what keeps many in abusive relationships because they feel they are to blame and should be ashamed. When we as a people start helping those who are hurting we will all realize that there is no shame in being abused, and so therefore God bless Niecy and every other male and female, young and old who are willing to share and to shower love on those who hurt by letting them know, there is a way out!
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By: jim williams on 10/31/2010 8:37PM
Now this is a sad story and i am sorry it happened,but seem like everytime she wants some notice, she retells this it is the fourth time i have heard it and the tears come almost on que. I mean i think she is using this for other reasons
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By: leona on 11/01/2010 1:51AM
I thank God for Miss Nash retelling her story. because when you are going through something like that, the fear causes you not to be able remember what was said to you when you are back in the presence of the person who is abuseing you. Only someone who has been through abuse can really relate. People that have not been in a abusive relationship can feel sorry for you but they really dont understand. People that have walked in your shoes can relate. People that have been there and gotten out can tell you what to do, and help you get out of the situation. Come on up out of the negativity, and say something positive to eliminate this type of problem.
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By: great granny on 10/31/2010 8:55PM
Niecy is a wonderful role model no matter ones sex or age. Have been a fan and enjoyed her antics for quite some time on Clean House. Miss Niecy, when are you coming to my house? Hope you live a long, happy, wonderful life and be happy if you can.
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