Dennis Richards was the first star to really become vulnerable in season 3 of Special Forces: The World’s Toughest Test.
“Everyone comes to the show for a reason. On the first day, we look at people and say (in) our own minds, “Why are you here?” But actually we know why you are here,” Directing Staff Instructor Billy Bingham said in a joint interview with an associate and star Rudy Reyes at Us Weekly’s Studio in New York on Thursday, January 9. “You are here because you have lost your way. You have to challenge yourself again. You want to be brought back to reality because that’s what this show does.
On Wednesday, January 8 premiereRichards, 53, “froze” during the first task – which is required contestants to jump from a speed boat to a speed helicopter and board the helicopter – and was subsequently called to speak to the staff.
“I get completely overwhelmed by certain scary situations and want to learn how to keep calm and do something.” The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum explained. “Part of the reason I wanted to do this course is because I’ve been in situations where I freeze and I can’t function, I can’t even speak to protect myself.”
Richards revealed that she first experienced this when she was 15.
“I noticed a man following me. He came from behind me, put his hand over my mouth, grabbed my vagina and started pulling me,” she said. “And I froze like I couldn’t even call out for help.”
Richards had previously only told her husband Aaron Phippers about the incident. “It’s so scary to have that situation, you know, (at) that age and be so vulnerable,” she continued. “I have three daughters and I want them to never go through this. And also if something, God forbid, turns out to be strong enough.”
Rudy Reyes and Billy Billingham
Us WeeklyBingham gave us more insight into why stars, including Richards, end up sharing personal stories.
“Before we do the mirror room, even (if it’s only been 12 hours), you’ve already gone through a deprivation phase,” he said. “When you’re tired, you’re hungry, you don’t care anymore. You are more open. There is something in what we call a mirror room. I don’t know why that is – and we are not psychologists, and we have no idea what this story will be straight from this person’s mouth.
The men confirmed for us that they don’t know the cast list until they meet the recruits on the first day of shooting.
“We have no idea what’s going to come out of their mouths,” continued Bingham, who admitted Richards is the only star he knows. “And for us, we have to play poker face because some of it is pretty heartbreaking. And we are also emotional people and we have to (stay strong). But I think something about this mirror room – when they walk in, it’s disconcerting. They’re disoriented, they’re tired, they’re already feeling a little sad and down. They just want to get something off their chest. But what I love about it is that after they did that, like Denise did, it was like someone had just lifted a big weight off her shoulders. She came out and was bouncing again. … You will see such a big difference after that.”
Special Forces: The World’s Toughest Test airs on Fox Wednesdays at 8pm ET.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
