Denise Richards Shares Personal Struggles on ‘Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test’
In the season 3 premiere of Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test, actress Denise Richards opened up about her past experiences and how they affect her today. The episode featured intense challenges, including a helicopter extraction where Richards needed to jump from a boat to a hovering helicopter.
During this tough exercise, the 53-year-old actress reflected on her journey to overcome fear. She stated, “I really want to learn how to not be overwhelmed by fear. I’ve been through traumatic situations that have been very terrifying for me. I want to learn how to deal with those issues and be stronger.”
Richards struggled with the challenge and was unable to pull herself into the helicopter. The Directing Staff noticed she appeared to be in shock and pulled her aside for a chat. She acknowledged feeling “out of my comfort zone” and admitted, “I’m not petrified. I’m emotional right now.” She expressed her desire to tackle her fears head-on, saying she often “freezes” in scary situations and wants to learn how to stay calm.
A significant part of Richards’ motivation to join the show stemmed from her desire to cope better in dangerous situations. She recalled experiences where she felt frozen and unable to act to protect herself.
In a heartfelt moment, Richards shared a traumatic incident from her past involving a man who assaulted her when she was just 15. She recounted the fear she felt during the attack and how it has haunted her ever since, saying, “It’s so scary to have that situation at that age and be so vulnerable. And I have three daughters, and I want them to be able to never go through that.”
In her confessional, she reflected on how she has not fully dealt with the wounds of her past, admitting, “I think that I haven’t addressed a lot of what I have gone through, and it’s very terrifying.”
After enduring a series of demanding challenges, including bungee jumping and a tough underwater task, Richards decided to leave the competition due to back pain and concerns about her physical capabilities as she ages. “I really want to have the entire experience, but the older I get, I don’t know if I’m physically capable of doing it,” she explained.
Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET on Fox.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, it’s important to seek help. You can contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
