Comedian Katt Williams says he has forgiven the people who abused him as a child, though talking about what happened still hurts. In a Nov. 9 interview on The Diary of a CEO, the Emmy-winning comedian told host Steven Bartlett that his parents beat him between the ages of 5 and 12. He left home at 13 and eventually found himself sleeping in a Miami park.
During the interview, Bartlett read from Williams' memoir, in which the comedian described the family basement as a "private war zone." Williams recalled that the beatings grew more severe over time. He also spoke about questioning the beliefs he was taught in a Jehovah's Witness household. When Bartlett asked about that upbringing, Williams said he held his parents responsible for their actions and did not believe their religion condoned the abuse.
Williams said he decided to leave after police told him they could not promise that his two younger brothers would stay together if the children were removed from the home. He made his way to Florida, where he slept in Miami's Peacock Park. He recalled listening to people there describe how addiction had cost them their jobs and families. Their stories, he said, helped steer him away from hard drugs.
Williams remembered getting onstage for the first time at 16 after lying about his age to get into a comedy club. Years passed before he returned to stand-up. He told Bartlett that comedy had already helped him get through difficult days before he understood it could become his livelihood.
The conversation also turned to the place God holds in his life. Williams said he came to understand his relationship with God as distinct from the religious practices he grew up with. He told Bartlett that he belongs to no organised religion and sees giving back to others as one way to honour his Creator.
"I've forgiven all of the participants," Williams said. He added that forgiveness had done little to ease the pain of revisiting those years. He shared the story because he sees the decisions he had to make as a child as part of how he became the man he is today.
Listen to the full interview on The Diary of a CEO
