Former TLC Star Jessica Willis Fisher Is Turning Pain From Abuse into Purpose

Singer, songwriter, and recording artist Jessica Willis Fisher is most known from her appearances on “America's Got Talent” and the TLC series “The Willis Family.” In her new memoir “Unspeakable”-Jessica is peeling back the curtain on her life, graphically detailing childhood sexual abuse she suffered at the hands of her father, Toby Willis. Jessica talks about her father’s 40-year prison sentence and healing in an exclusive sit-down on “Tamron Hall.”
Subscribe to Tamron Hall Show: bit.ly/2QAZSuD
FIND YOUR TIME AND CHANNEL:
www.tamronhall...
[Put in your zip code in the top portion of the website]
FOLLOW US:
Instagram: / tamronhallshow
Twitter: / tamronhallshow
Facebook: / tamronhall
Pinterest: / tamronhallshow
JOIN OUR SHOW:
www.tamronhall...
From the deeply moving to the purely fun, “Tamron Hall” is a daily destination for all things topical and a platform for viewers to connect with the people who are shaping our world through meaningful, engaging, and entertaining conversations. As a new mom, a newlywed, and a survivor who is proving you can accomplish anything at any age, Tamron Hall brings a refreshing, relatable, unpredictable, and unstoppable voice to television.
Broadcast from New York City featuring a dynamic mix of live and taped shows, “Tamron Hall” airs across the country in national syndication.

[@loriwhinery3210]

My dad molested me from 3 to 16 when I told him to stop and I never told anyone until I was 24…I’m proud of her for speaking out!

[@kathleendigregorio1701]

I am sorry that happened to you because you did nothing to deserve it. I hope things are much better in your life.

[@loriwhinery3210]

@@kathleendigregorio1701 thank you with the Lords help life is good!

[@notchamama7571]

I’m so sorry that happened. I hope you’ve found peace, safety, and true healing.

[@MrsAlmaTrumble]

She gave me courage to tell my story. I was also abused by my father. I now suffer from Crohn's disease and its from the abuse I went through.

[@VintageRose75]

Prayers, Love and Light sent to you, not only for your suffering, but also your courage and healing!! 🧡💛🧡💛🧡💛🧡

[@Carpenterdane]

My ex- husband was physically abusive to me and our 2 children. After 6 years I saw it was only getting worse and I left! Got a job in a factory, shopped thrift stores, yard sales, and made ends meet. I understand her mom was being abused too, but I didn't let that stop me. But, I'm so proud of Jessica for her bravery to finally be the one in her family to step up and put a stop to the physical and sexual abuse.

[@notchamama7571]

I’m so glad to see you got out! It’s so hard to leave. It’s so hard to live afterwards.💜Prayers for a beautiful and bounteous life for you!

[@greenblood64]

I love the Willis Clan and was sickened when I found out what their father did to them all. I hope they all get the help they need and the family can grow and thrive.

[@Lenioogami]

Yes sick and sad

[@IlaJean80]

Her book really helped me so much. I'm 58 year old woman my parents and sibling has now passed away, but I still suffer alone in silence over the sexual abuse and total control over my body and mind even soul using religion and fear even as a young woman in my twenties and thirties. Her book was such a healing place for me as when your a child and told your mean, cold and degraded as a bad person by a parent by not accepting, enjoying and welcoming The sexual attentions of your own father you take that as true....It's me...Then having your mother put the needs of your father over you being a trapped victim. My older brother also stepping up to become a reflection of my abuser. Her book was the same pattern of isolation, house arrest and secrets even the prison camp hours of questions you can't answer correctly no matter what you say. Having to say SORRY to your abuser as if you are not even a human being. Now, I see I was not alone and it was not ME. I thank her so much for speaking out and being a voice to so many of us suffering in shame and silence. I am now seeking therapy after reading her book.

[@tanishatyson4158]

I just hate that you feel you have to interrupt to ask the next question. Let them get their full thought out and then ask your next question. You didn’t let her fully finish an answer.

[@Laskagleex]

I remember the very first time I saw a video of them performing on the AGT, I thought to myself - these children are being sexually abused. There was this profound sadness radiating through them. I googled them up, and sure enough!

[@debbieshreve1160]

I have loved and followed the Willis Clan since they first appeared on AGT. I am so proud of Jessica for breaking free and speaking out. I will be ordering the book as my way of showing my support!!

[@Lenioogami]

Debbie i agree totally

[@debbiemorgan6701]

Jess, I am in awe of you. I'm glad that you were able to find your voice.

[@kimberlee8567]

My mother asked me in front of my abuser (older sibling) if anything was happening.. I looked at him.. I was about 7 and he was about 15.. I said "no" and was dismissed.. months after I turned 18 he called me drunk and apologized and said he had been worrying about it.. yeah.. mothers know but "don't know" ..had a therapist defend my mother for not wanting it to "rip the family apart" and they explained to me that was the reason I answered "no" because at 7 I instinctively knew it would "rip the family apart"

[@Starfish2145]

Wow!! That stinks 😡

[@mwandikay]

Hope you find healing

[@Himmiefan]

That therapist needs to have their certification taken away.

[@notchamama7571]

I can’t explain how horrified and enraged I am for you. I’m sorry that victim blaming was piled on top of the abuse. The fact that your a user asked for a forgiveness is heartbreaking for you. I hope you’ve found healing.

[@kimberlee8567]

@@notchamama7571 ..thank you.. he remembered details of the abuse that I did not remember and was mortified when he brought it up because I had apparently completed "blocked it out" (he asked about my hymen because he was worried he had broken it.. but I did not remember "insertion" ..I still don't)

[@VanetaRogers1]

I'm so glad Jessica has found her voice and is sharing her story to help others. I wish this interviewer didn't interrupt so much, but I suppose she was short on time. Overall, a good interview and I hope people find some healing by listening to Jessica.

[@catherinebrown9119]

I remember watching one of the last episodes of the show, where the father brought the kids to some property, and I watched Jessia’s face as her father spoke about everyone staying together and living together. I thought at that time that she looked upset or angry. Something was going on.

[@dawnjackson1561]

Come on Tamron, let the girl speak

[@kathleendigregorio1701]

I bought her book as a show of support and recommend heeding her trigger warnings for people with unexamine and unresolved trauma.

[@TheMoonknights06]

I remember watching their show and thinking to myself, something seems off. Than I went to a concert at an Irish festival to hear them sing. When the news broke of what their father have been doing, I was in Tears for all the kids. I am so happy that Jessica has came up and above this as well as the other members of the family. Definitely going to get this book to support her and her music!

[@VintageRose75]

Can you describe what made you feel "something was off"? It might help to detect similar situations...

[@Lenioogami]

Justine, i agree. She deserves our support and sympathy after having gone through

[@Lenioogami]

@@VintageRose75 maybe their music was off

[@jennaagee7992]

I thought the same thing

[@susiecox8413]

Jessica is an amazing young woman.

[@WhenYOUhearmyname]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fpeqhq2Hf5idmLs

[@eileenbenincasa6172]

It really touched me so much and I’m sure it home with a lot of people that was or is now in that same situation ! Kudos to this Wonderful woman in getting her Life back❤️

[@WhenYOUhearmyname]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fpeqhq2Hf5idmLs

[@Lenioogami]

Yes she is wonderful.

[@katiamanfredi7465]

Tamron. I beg you stop interrupting your guests. Let them speak and finish their thought!

[@futrpdr]

Yeah, I noticed she does that every now and then, but that happens a lot on other talk shows as well. I don't know if it's trying to cut through time restrictions during segments or just an incessant need to have to say something.

[@red5590]

With live TV you are on time restrictions so unfortunately at times you have to cut in to move onto the next questions which is crap. If you watch some other live TV interviews it's normal practice lol

[@WhenYOUhearmyname]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fpeqhq2Hf5idmLs

[@mrs.monicautt6268]

And was cutting off because was not getting the answer SHE wanted. Jessica clearly stated she did not want to talk about her mother, but then she just asked again, trying to force her too. Not cool!

[@karlabateman234]

I know!!

[@trishawaddell564]

If you bring her on to talk about her book, let her talk! Awful interviewing skills!! Feel bad for the family but not surprised to be honest. You could see how controlling and handsy he was with all of the kids and that they had a weird dynamic in the family. Glad they were brave enough to finally speak out and take it to trial.

[@lovemyscooter]

I remember watching the show and one episode stands put where Toby got very aggravated with one of her sisters while they were setting up for a show and a thought what a jerk. he seemed so dark. I felt bad for the girl. I'm about half way through the audio book and it's very disturbing what Jess has been through. Her mom was blind not to know. They has Se% with all the kids sleeping in the same room. I know she dealt with abuse too. I've been in a very abusive relationship and no way I wouldn't know if it was my kids. Extremely awful what the kids went through. The boys were treated bad. I always knew something was off with the oldest boy. This explains it. They were all so physically abused. I hope they can all recover.

[@jenaemarieAZ]

Was that the one where he was forcing her to perform - sing - and she felt uncomfortable? He was being a donkey!

[@mabrams12]

Toby isn’t the only evil one. Brenda (the mother) knew about the abuse and did nothing. She was a good Christian and 'forgave' him. In her book, Jessica describes giving her mother a long 10+ page letter about the assaults. The family’s statement post-arrest falsely claimed that Brenda was “shocked” by the revelations. She was only shocked that Jessica overcame her brainwashing and put a stop to it. Good for Jessica for singing solo and keeping distance from her mother. Her siblings were actually mad at her for notifying the police! So sick.

[@DruzenjeSplit-nn2um]

Yes read the book and the mother is higly problematic

[@crazyleaf257]

One of the hardest things with my dad and my situation is that I'm really close to his mom and his family and his mom is constantly saying "your father's a good man and he loves you and you should just get along with him." She's 91 we don't want to tell her he sexually abused me. But I'm sure she can use her imagination but no mother wants to believe that their son is a monster

[@infjlogic]

When the kids are being abused severely. How can she love & take care of Him first. 😑

[@karlabateman234]

Amazing women and siblings! I wish the talk show host would let her speak and not interrupt her. It’s very rude! I’m so sorry she went through that. I always thought her dad was a jerk

[@VintageRose75]

What gave you that impression? Seriously...to know what to look out for....

[@tiffprendergast]

Yup

[@channah1079]

This is so heartbreaking

[@WhenYOUhearmyname]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fpeqhq2Hf5idmLs

[@WhenYOUhearmyname]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fpeqhq2Hf5idmLs

[@yvonnekneeshaw2784]

Great interview. Great questions.

[@suzy-qtravels9202]

I saw a video of them taking family pictures and the youngest girl is fighting off her fathers hands. She kept pushing him away from her legs or or butt. I’m not sure! I thought he was teasing and playing with her. It was right before I found out out what he was really doing 😢😢😢 So sad for all daughters raped by their own fathers. Men can’t control themselves! It’s disgusting!

[@mktay2067]

Some men. Also some women. A gymnastics coach was just charged for sexual assault. She is a women.

[@suzy-qtravels9202]

@@mktay2067 Sad but true! I had no clue woman could ever do anything like this when I was growing up. But the stories are getting out. Sad

[@asaabrahamagulnik574]

They can control themselves.

[@jennaagee7992]

They can control themselves. They choose people that can't fight them off.

[@jalex3645]

Tameron, I am a September 16th baby as well, I could cut and sew a mean dress. Made my prom dress and matching long coat, I made a white suit and tore the black fur off my coat and sew it on my white suit, beautiful. I love creating and know I could of been a designer, but too young, did not believe in myself never persuded it.

[@jalex3645]

@@bonnylouwho76 congradulation on your accomplishments.

[@redrose41000]

Tamron, Jeeze, let your guest speak! Why have them on if you’re not going to let them speak!?

[@natashaw401]

like that she is not speaking for siblings just her

[@Samuelobrien333]

Love Jess and the Willis Clan. But this interviewer is terrible at her job. Hopefully she gets better.

[@tiffcat1100]

Go Jess! 💜😊💜

[@DonMacGillivray]

Maybe let her talk?

[@crazyleaf257]

People were shocked when i told them my dad abused me.

[@karenpierson9841]

Father was always creepy to me. The way he's act and how he loved to seem he had power over his family and make them work so hard on their music, dancing and wrestling didn't sit well with me.

[@mamajoe1239]

How the mom never knew especially them being homeschooled and always there I just don’t understand.

[@AC-ri2ph]

She knew

[@lindaolsen7089]

I don't have sympathy for Toby Willis. If he hadn't run or been apprehended the way he was, without violence, he definitely had the personality and the ability to kill some or all of his family in the process of his abuse being "outed" or even openly discussed in the family. That said, one just knows intuitively he is so damaged somehow from childhood by warped teachings and warped so-called "discipline". And it seems like his wife pretty much just submitted to everything and then just gave up. Tragic dynamic for 12 other people they brought into the world. Toby Willis will always be dangerous to them. I hope he never gets released (that he dies before his scheduled release date). Anything else is too dangerous for the rest of this family, which included as yet unborn grandchildren.

[@crazyleaf257]

Yeah my mom had a feeling something was happening to me and but she said she didn't know what do

[@kelseyelizabeth01]

stop interrupting her as shes talking

[@debrapointer1529]

GEEZ quit interrupting her .let her finish talking.

[@tessa3236]

Can she interrupt Jessica any more? Ugh

[@melissamcconnell9356]

It’s like the Willis family dropped off the face of the earth. Are the kids doing ok?

[@morgan3368]

They made the decision as a family to step away and start the healing process, I saw somewhere else that they said the younger kids were doing great.

[@aceconsultingandtrainingse2522]

Why do you keep interrupting?

[@jenaemarieAZ]

I remember watching their reality show and thinking about their dad & mom. Were the bible studies authentic? Was dad as committed & loving to his family as he was trying to exhibit? Or as I know now, was it just for show?!?

[@Himmiefan]

The father was a raging narcissist and used certain Bible verses to justify him getting his way. The mother was so brainwashed by this fundamentalist mentality that she went along with the father.

[@caroljoan3792]

Show and money. Trying to prove he was God.

[@valeriefrancia6417]

The Bible studies and shows of love were an essential part of the control.

[@jenaemarieAZ]

@@valeriefrancia6417 yes I see that now.

[@jillpruett3444]

What show was this young lady on ?

[@sherriszybisty1524]

The Willis Clan.

[@altesta5560]

Why is the audience wearing masks but the interviewer and guest aren't?😮‍💨🤥😷

[@TheChefLady4JC]

Hypocrisy of the highest caliber...

[@bostonnbrinks9139]

maybe because their on tv? On talking a lot? Masks can muffle a bit…. Might be way

[@merricat3025]

Distance from each other

[@crazyleaf257]

I have known them since I was younger and I never liked Toby he did not pass the vibe check

[@jmcmurrah]

Too much interrupting…

[@Finnec123]

Tamron should explain. Maybe there's a good reason, maybe not.

[@fytghggyungf7601]

Wow I never knew TLC had a white member! I only remember T-boz, left eye (RIP) and chili

[@jennaagee7992]

Huh

[@lequiakone5617]

🤣😂

[@k32445]

What’s with the dumb masks?

[@nathanmedina2809]

I believe one day she will most likely talk to her father.

[@Starfish2145]

Creepy homeschool family! Abusive men often control these family bands like a cult leader.

[@mktay2067]

Amazingly it's in any kind of family. 😣

[@marydickey3404]

No creep Dad, the kids are victims and they are precious! Do better!

[@krissyk7538]

Happens alot in public schools to.

[@deelynrae2696]

I'm not a fan of Oprah 2.0