Y&R's Melody Thomas Scott reveals grim details of her childhood abuse

The Young and the Restless' Melody Thomas Scott (Nikki Newman) reveals some of the grim details of suffering abuse at the hands of her grandmother.

Beloved The Young and the Restless star Melody Thomas Scott (Nikki Newman) is in the midst of doing publicity for her upcoming memoir, Always Young and Restless, and the history of abuse she details in the book never fails to come up in interviews. During a chat with Entertainment Tonight, the actress candidly discusses being raised by her grandmother, who she claims pushed her into stardom at a very high cost.

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According to Scott, her grandmother allowed men to sexually abuse her in order to further her acting career, which she began at the age of eight.

"I think in her naivete, I think she felt that whatever had to happen in order to get ahead in show business would be okay," the actress reveals. "She would get there and watch -- I would see her doing it with [my] wild eyes [expressing], 'Do you see what's happening here? Please save me.' And there would be no saving."

Though it's difficult to see the silver lining of such horrendous circumstances, Scott says that with time, she found one: the abuse made her stronger.

"Her behavior got worse and worse and worse, so by the time I was a teenager it was just madness," the actress shares. "It taught me strength, that's for sure. I knew I had to be strong to survive her and it was not easy, but you learn perseverance."

In a separate interview with People, Scott says that she is sure "many people will be shocked to learn that I have that kind of background," because "they've seen me in their living room every day for 41 years, they believe I'm my character Nikki Newman and my life is perfect. But I think it will make it even more impactful for them to realize this kind of stuff can happen to anybody."

The actress, who meditates regularly and attends therapy sessions, continues, "Even now, I think I'm healed, I think I'm over it, but it never really leaves you... There is no easy fix, but I'm hoping my story opens the door for people."

Scott's longtime Y&R costar Eric Braeden (Victor Newman), who released his own memoir titled I'll Be Damned in 2017, took to social media with his reaction to Scott's book and her recollections of her traumatic childhood experiences.

"Am reading MELODY'S ( NIKKI'S BIOGRAPHY) haven't put it down yet! Page turner!" he tweeted. "Just wish I could have protected her then and knocked everyone on their ass!!!"

As Soap Central previously reported, Scott's memoir is set to be released on Tuesday, August 18. For more information and to order a copy, click here.

How do you feel about the traumatic childhood recollections Melody Thomas Scott is sharing as the release date of her memoir nears? What other stories from the actress' past are you looking forward to reading about in her upcoming book? We want to hear from you -- so drop your comments in the Comments section below, tweet about it on Twitter, share it on Facebook, or chat about it on our Message Boards.

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