The beloved cast of 7th Heaven, specifically Beverley Mitchell, David Gallagher, and Mackenzie Rosman, recently took a moment to address the elephant in the room: the sexual abuse scandal surrounding their former co-star, Stephen Collins. It’s been nearly a decade since the shocking revelations surfaced, but the impact of those events is still being felt, especially for those who grew up watching the heartfelt family drama.
In 2014, the world learned about Collins’ troubling past when details from a therapy session spilled into the public domain. During that session, Collins, now 76, was recorded admitting to inappropriate sexual contact with three underage girls. This admission, made to his ex-wife Faye Grant, created a media firestorm and left many fans reeling from the betrayal of a star they had admired for years.
As the trio reunited on their newly launched podcast, Catching Up With the Camdens, dedicated to revisiting the iconic series, they felt compelled to openly discuss this sensitive topic. Beverley kicked off the conversation with a thoughtful remark: “Before we get into this episode, we want you to know that we see all of your comments, and we know how excited you all are for the rewatch. But before we get into that, we do think it’s important that we say something about Stephen Collins.”
Her words set the tone for what became a mature and heartfelt discussion. David chimed in with his strong stance on the matter, stating, “All forms of abuse, sexual abuse of any kind — it’s inexcusable. Victims of abuse need to be shown compassion, and they should be given support.” It was clear that the cast members weren’t just there to reminisce; they were also there to stand in solidarity with the victims and acknowledge the seriousness of the situation.
Mackenzie echoed those sentiments, emphasizing the difficulty of tackling the subject while still engaging with their show’s legacy. “As we rewatch these episodes, it would be impossible not to talk about Stephen, because he was such a big part of the show and our lives,” she explained. However, she was quick to clarify, “But we want to be clear that we did not have any inappropriate experiences with Stephen.” It’s a vital point, as many fans may have felt conflicted about the star’s actions in light of the show’s wholesome image.
Beverley continued, reinforcing that Collins would not be part of their podcast journey moving forward: “Stephen will not be joining us on this podcast, and we do not excuse or condone his behavior.” Her clear stance underlined their commitment to upholding the values they want to represent through their work and their community.
David wrapped up their conversation on a supportive note, recognizing the potential emotional weight for listeners. “We know that this is difficult, and we understand that it can be triggering,” he acknowledged. “But we just want to say that we love you guys, and we’re so grateful for all the love and support that you, our community, have shown to us. Hopefully, you guys will stick with us as we continue on this journey.”
By addressing the topic directly, the cast not only provided a platform for healing but also reminded fans that their cherished memories of 7th Heaven could coexist with the realities of the darker side of its history. As they move forward with their podcast, the trio seeks to blend the nostalgia of their iconic show with the gravity of important conversations about respect, kindness, and accountability. In times like these, it’s crucial to remember and uplift the voices of those who need it most, and that is exactly what Beverley, David, and Mackenzie are striving to do.
