Comedian Beth Stelling Reveals History of Rape and Abuse

On Monday, comedian Beth Stelling revealed via Instagram that she had been raped, as well as verbally and physically abused by her ex-boyfriend.

Stelling, who released stand-up album Simply the Beth and a half hour Comedy Central special in 2015, wrote that her unnamed ex is as deeply ingrained in the comedy scene as she is and has discouraged her from writing jokes about their relationship because, in his words, “everyone knows who you’re talking about.” Because of that, coupled with her reluctance to be harassed by his friends and family, she stayed silent.

But since her reveal, Stelling has received support from friends in the entertainment industry on Twitter.

“I don’t want revenge or to hurt him now, but it’s unhealthy to keep this inside because my stand-up is pulled directly from my life. It’s how I make my living,” she wrote. “My personal is my professional. That is how I’ve always been; I make dark, funny. So now I’m allowing this to be part of my story.”