Terrence Howard is opening up about a deeply personal and disturbing part of his childhood that he says had a lasting impact on his life. The actor recently sat down with host Patrick Bet-David to discuss those early experiences that shaped him. Terrence Howard spoke candidly about a topic that many in Hollywood rarely discuss publicly, showing real vulnerability about his past.

During the conversation, the 56-year-old star shared details about his upbringing in Cleveland that some might find uncomfortable to read, but this is exactly the kind of honest conversation Terrence Howard believes needs to happen more often in our communities. Understanding how childhood experiences shape us is real, and Howard wants others to know they are not alone in their struggles.

When asked about his first sexual encounter, Howard revealed he was just four years old at the time. He explained that the girls involved were older children, around six and seven years old. The behavior continued for years, lasting until he was approximately 13 years old.

According to the actor, his father had recently been released from jail and was working long hours while his mother was attending school. This left Howard unsupervised for extended periods during his childhood. He believes the environment he grew up in and the lack of supervision played a significant role in allowing the situation to continue for years.

Looking back on those experiences today, the Empire star acknowledges it had a major psychological impact. “I wish I had never done that. I would have been a completely different person,” Howard explained during the interview. “I lost my innocence. It’s effectively being molested,” he said, acknowledging how serious the situation was in hindsight.

Now a father of five, Howard says those experiences made him extremely protective of children, especially his own. He takes extra precautions to ensure his kids are never left unsupervised because he does not want them to experience anything similar. He currently shares two young sons with Mira Pak, whom he previously married and later became engaged to again in 2018. He also has three older children from his first marriage to Lori McCommas.

Reflecting on fatherhood, the actor has admitted that he wishes he had spent more time with his older children when they were younger, but says he is now making a stronger effort to be present in his kids’ lives. By sharing his story publicly, Howard said he hopes to shed light on how childhood experiences can shape a person’s life and why protecting children is so important.