June Pointer never recovered from being gang-raped at just 14 years old. In a rare interview, her sister reveals how this unspeakable violence shattered the star.
Behind the dazzling lights and infectious energy of the Pointer Sisters’ hits like “Jump (For My Love” and “He’s So Shy” lay a heartbreaking secret that deeply impacted the life of June Pointer.
Years after her passing, a poignant revelation from her sister has surfaced, shedding light on a childhood trauma that cast a long shadow over the singer’s life and struggles. It’s a story of unimaginable pain, the limitations of the past, and the enduring power of family and music.
While June Pointer’s battle with addiction was known, leading to her departure from the iconic group in 2004 and her subsequent passing at the young age of 52 in 2006, the root of her turmoil remained largely unspoken. In a recent, brief but powerful interview, her sister bravely unveiled a horrifying truth: June’s struggles stemmed from a brutal gang rape she endured at just 14 or 15 years old in Oakland, California, at the hands of people she knew. Can you imagine carrying such a burden from such a young age?
The impact was devastating. Her sister stated plainly, “She did, but it was a result of rape. A gang rape… She never revealed who it was. But it was someone she knew. It just traumatized her for the rest of her life.”
The sister’s words also highlight the stark contrast between the resources available then and now for trauma survivors. “At that time, there were no facilities or things that could help you handle trauma. I mean, you could try some things, but it wasn’t like today where you could really get a lot of help for mental trauma.”
The family was aware of the horrific event, but as her sister explained, they felt ill-equipped to handle it. “We were all aware of it, but there wasn’t a whole lot that we knew how to do. We didn’t know how to handle that kind of thing. Back then, I think a lot of families that went through that kind of trauma just kept it quiet. Kept it in the family.”
The silence and lack of adequate support likely compounded June’s suffering. While some family members, like her mother’s brothers, were ready to confront the perpetrators, her mother sought solace in prayer.
In a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness, June’s sister believes that their shared musical talent may have been a lifeline. “I think the actual singing ability that June had and we all shared together saved her. I believe that that was cathartic for her. It was for me.”
Although the Pointers achieved great success as pop stars in the 1970s and ’80s, June often faced harsh consequences from that fame. Throughout the ’70s, she was hospitalized multiple times for mental health crises and battled issues related to drugs and alcohol. Her erratic behavior at one point led her sisters to request that she leave the group. June would later disclose that she had been involved with drugs since she was 13, with her preferred substances being alcohol and Valium.
June’s voice may have filled stadiums with joy, but behind it lay a story of resilience in the face of profound pain.
