Todd Bridges reveals shocking sexual encounter with Dana Plato on “Diff'rent Strokes” set: 'How would a 12-year-old girl know about that?'
Yahoo • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Todd Bridges revealed that he and Dana Plato, his Diff'rent Strokes costar, had an unexpected sexual encounter on set when they were both children, with Bridges describing it as his "first experience with everything."
- Bridges suggested that Plato's early and frequent sexualization on television influenced her behavior and relationship with sexuality, noting that such actions from a young age may indicate prior sexual abuse.
- Dana Plato, who struggled with drug and alcohol abuse throughout her life, was written off Diff'rent Strokes after becoming pregnant in 1984 and later died of a drug overdose ruled as suicide in 1999.
- The documentary "Child Stars Gone Wild" explores Plato's troubled life and the impact of her early sexualization in roles, with expert Dr. Drew suggesting her behavior aligns with sex addiction possibly stemming from past trauma.
- Bridges expressed regret that Plato never confided in her friends about her struggles, believing they could have helped her if she had opened up.
