Sheryl Lee Ralph Opens Up About Being Sexually Assaulted By A Famous TV Judge

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 09: Honoree Sheryl Lee Ralph accepts an award onstage during the 2023 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 09, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.
(Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
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Sheryl Lee Ralph reveals the disturbing details about her being a victim of sexual assault. 

In an interview, the Emmy- winning actress stated that the assault happened years ago and it was by a famous TV judge in a public setting. She didn’t name the judge but she say that it wasn’t Judge Greg Mathis.

Ralph said, “I’m at a very public place. I was suited. I had my suit on. I was handling my business for the television show I was on at that time. He and I were on the same network.” She continued, “This man walked in, grabbed me by the back of my neck, turned me around, and rammed his nasty ass tongue down my throat. And everybody at the network saw it.” 

The legendary actress also explained that the mayor of New Orleans was willing to help her catch the judge, however, the network disapproved. “Somebody on the network tapped me on the shoulder saying, ‘Please don’t.’ They did not want any bad press around their show and did not care what had just happened to me. They saw what happened,” she said.

Ralph also added, “That’s the kind of stuff that happens. That’s what makes it hard for women to speak up about these things.”  Sheryl Lee Ralph has since been encouraging victims of sexual assault to speak up and have their voices heard. “Speak up, tell your truth, do not carry the burden of pain… especially if you feel like it’s something you can’t work through.”