Drake Bell opened up about how he felt when he shared his story in Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV.
The actor musician shocked the industry when he revealed his experience in the documentary series, which premiered on March 17. The "Found a Way" singer disclosed that Nickelodeon dialogue coach Brian Peck sexually abused him when he was 15.
Drake Bell Shares Experience After Revealing His Story
Ahead of the release of the "Man Enough" podcast's latest episode (obtained by People), Bell shared how speaking up felt "very scary" but also "very freeing" at the same time.
"Even though there's so much happening and it is on such a public stage, it's nothing compared to how I have felt in the past," he said, as quoted by OK! Magazine. "The more that I'm able to talk about it, and the more that I'm able to articulate my thoughts just for myself, in my own mind, there is a big weight that feels lifted and is freeing."
The "Highway To Nowhere" singer reportedly started self-medicating when he entered a rehabilitation center after the abuse. But when he could no longer recognize himself, he reportedly sought professional help.
The Nickelodeon alum added that the abuse occurred for six months.
Bell himself is no longer a stranger to abuse allegations.
In June 2021, he pleaded guilty to a felony charge of attempted child endangerment and a misdemeanor charge of disseminating matter harmful to juveniles after sending inappropriate messages to a teen girl. The incident reportedly happened in 2017.
The court sentenced him to two years of probation and 200 hours of community service.
Drake Bell 'I Kind of Relate' Music Video
Back in March, Bell released an autobiographical music video that recounts not only his grooming but also his own subsequent legal troubles.
A much older man leads a young stand-in for Bell inside a trailer at the opening of the "I Kind of Relate" music video.
He closes the door behind them and draws the curtains to keep everyone from seeing inside. In the accompanying verse, Bell sings about "running away from the abuse and all the shame."
Why Did Drake Bell Plead Guilty?
Bell appeared on the "Not Skinny But Not Fat" podcast episode, where he explained why he pleaded guilty despite saying the allegations were not true.
"I responded on some DMs and was incredibly irresponsible and got myself into conversations that I shouldn't have had," he said, per Fox News. "I ended up finding out that I was talking to someone that I shouldn't have been talking to, and it snowballed into these allegations that were not true, and it just turned into this big thing."
Bell, who is now a father, added on the podcast that he did not want to put his family through the issues anymore.
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