Sold on SLC star Kenny Sperry is sharing his childhood experience in hopes that he can help someone else.
Since revealing the sexual abuse by his father, Kenny has dealt with a multitude of emotions.
While taking part in a breathwork session at a company retreat, the Presidio Real Estate agent broke down in tears. Overwhelmed by a rush of childhood memories, Kenny later opened up to his co-star and friend Tyna Edwards. Sadly, Tyna told Kenny that she had also experienced childhood sexual abuse.
Seeking comfort in unhealthy coping methods
“When this happened on the show, it was completely unexpected,” he told People. “I had not brought anything up to do with my abuse or the situation that I was in for years. In fact, I had told myself I was done telling that story. I’m moving on with my life.”
“I just felt a need to share this experience one last time,” he added, “in the hopes that it will help others who are struggling or going through similar things.”
Before coming to terms with his childhood trauma, Kenny had looked for comfort in all the wrong places. “I numbed, I self-medicated with substances, and with more of the temporal things in the world,” he confessed. “Lots of shallow friendships and all of that.”
Kenny credits his family and his LDS faith for helping him “redirect my purpose in life.” He realized that he didn’t want his children to ever suffer the kind of trauma that he had.
Ironically, after he and his wife Jessica were engaged, he learned that her father had been involved with distributing child porn. They worked together with the FBI to “put her dad away,” and he was eventually sentenced to 14 years in federal prison.
He also gives credit to his sister, who was “by my side through much of my abuse and my recovery.” She helped him take legal action against their late father, and they both testified in court against him.
“She was the first one to go to the police,” he continued. “Without her, it would’ve been really, really difficult for me to navigate that on my own.”
Kenny Sperry wants men to be open about their emotions
These days, Kenny speaks out about the importance of men being open about their emotions and not trying to hide things. “We live in a world of broken people, and more specifically broken men,” he says. “It’s okay to show heartache and to not stuff all of those feelings and emotions.”
While he knows it’s “scary to take the first step,” he encourages anyone in a similar situation to find someone who can give them the courage to take action.
“Every single person goes through points of suffering in their life,” he says. “we have two options. [We can either] live in it, [or] try and channel that into something better. Whether that’s helping others, whether that’s success in business, becoming the best father or person or human being, or whatever it is. It’s really important to take that step.”
Sold on SLC is now streaming on Peacock.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.
