Anne Heche Opens Up About Feelings That Were 20 Years In The Making

After cutting open a figurative vein in her pre-dance video package about a challenging time in her life, the Dancing With the Stars contender was sent packing. Anne Heche skipped doing press after the show, but now she’s speaking out on her quest to win the mirror ball trophy on the dance reality competition series.

Anne Heche Opens Up

In the video that aired just before Heche and pro partner Keo Motsepe performed their paso doble, the Daytime Emmy-winning actress (for her dual roles as Marley/Vicky on Another World), shared what happened to her life after she began dating Ellen DeGeneres back in 1997.

Heche detailed how she lost a multi-million dollar movie contract and other setbacks because of her relationship with the comedienne-turned-talk-show-host. The two made a public appearance at the movie premiere for Heche’s film Volcano, in which she co-starred with Tommy Lee Jones. She recalls being escorted out of the theater before the film ended and did not even attend her own movie’s post-show party.

Motsepe thanked his star partner for sacrificing her career and her life for her efforts to try and change people’s hearts and minds. Despite this moving video and doing her best dance yet, the show’s judges opted to keep Monica Aldama (Cheer) and Valentin Chmerkovskiy, citing their great potential in future dances.

“The support that I have received after sharing my story has been overwhelming, and I sincerely appreciate it,” Heche posted on Instagram. “The truth is that it took me more than 20 years to process and share my story. As we stand here in this [expletive] show of a year, it does feel good to recognize that we have come a long way since 1997.

“We still have a lot more work to do to extinguish discrimination and embrace total acceptance, but I think that it’s important to recognize how far we have come despite that. Love you all! Anne.”

“Thank you for sharing your story,” DWTS judge Carrie Ann Inaba wrote on Heche’s post. “You are an incredibly strong being… love you and all you stand for. #courageousheart.”

“You’re an inspiration to all,” posted @phairplae. “Thanks for sharing your courageous side of the 20 yr old story. Seems too often all we heard was one side of the aftermath. You RISE! above it all ❤️.”

“You’re an amazing person and truly iconic performer,” posted @jaden.mcl. “Thank you for standing up for what is right. Keep rising! 💛💛.”