Ashanti Addresses Her Sister’s Domestic Violence Nightmare: ‘She’s So Brave’

Ashanti and Her Family on Red Table Talk (Credit: Facebook Watch)

Ashanti, her younger sister Kenashia “Shia” Douglas, and their mother Tina sat down for Wednesday’s episode of Red Table Talk to discuss the horrific domestic abuse Shia endured in a past relationship.

Shia said the first time her partner of several years hit her, he had “planned the whole thing out.”

“He put the blinds down. It was an actual planned out thing,” she recalled. “It was an argument that we got into, and he questioned me on some things, and I was just completely unaware. I’m like, you know, ‘What’s going on?’ And he literally just punched me in my mouth, which was, like… I can’t describe the shock. I can’t describe the pain. It was like, ‘Where is this coming from, and why are you doing this to me?’ I ran, and he chased after me, and he began to continue to hit me.”

Related StoryCheryl Burke Discusses ‘Sexual Abuse’ in Ballroom Dancing on ‘Red Table Talk’

She ran to a neighbor’s apartment for help.

“I stayed at the neighbor’s for probably, like, an hour or so. I was able to actually have one of my sister’s security that worked in L.A. come and escort me and see me out and make sure that I was good. I had to grab whatever I had on me, and I went to a hotel,” she said.

October marked Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Shia shared photos of past injuries on her Instagram page to empower other women and men who may be suffering abuse.

Ashanti said after Shia went public, several celebrities contacted the family to share their own experiences.

“There are so many artists that don’t talk about it that are going through it,” the singer-songwriter said. “Even with Shia sharing with me, some of the people that reached out to her because of her post that are celebrities, like, big celebrities that are going through this, you know? So she’s so brave, and we’re all just super proud.”

Related StoryAshanti Addresses Irv Gotti Comments About Their Past Dealings: ‘It’s a Little Sad’

You can watch the full episode of Facebook Watch series Red Table Talk below.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, you can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).


Discover more from Urban Hollywood 411

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.