Juliette Angelo made some allegations of abuse and exploitation by her parents while she was growing up and trying to make it on Broadway and in Hollywood. She fought through her childhood traumas to become a successful singer and actress, best known for her roles as the drug-addicted Emily Fornell in the long-running CBS drama NCIS and as Geneva in the Showtime series Shameless.
You know how people always say Hollywood isn’t all glitz and glamour? Well, former child actress Juliette Angelo just proved that point in a big way.
Juliette Angelo dropped a bombshell about her parents in her 2022 podcast “Hope is the Bird” (named after the Emily Dickinson poem, Hope is the Thing with Feathers). Yeah, it’s pretty shocking. After staying quiet for a while—apparently because her earlier claims got shut down—she’s finally speaking out again. In December 2024, she sat down with Kelly Dillon on the Warrior of Truth podcast for 6 and a half hours to tell her side of the story.
These days, she’s become a voice for survivors, opening up about her childhood and making some pretty heavy allegations about her family and early career.
This article breaks down what Juliette’s said about her parents and their complicated relationship. We’ll talk about her claims, what happened after she went public, and how all of this has affected her life and career.
Just a heads-up: Everything here is based on what Juliette has said herself, mostly from podcast interviews. These are her words, and they haven’t been checked by third party sources or adjudicated in a courtroom. We’re just sharing her story as she told it.
She was born in Little Falls Township, New Jersey on March 3, 1999. She began her acting career at the age of 8 on Broadway. Juliette’s love of acting was driven by a deep-seated love of narrative and not by money or fame unlike many other young performers.
Her Abuse Allegations Against Her Parents
In 2022, she hosted her first podcast “Hope is the Bird” and took the courageous first step of telling her own story of child exploitation. That platform disappeared after what she describes as “relentless stalking and legal threats” that forced her to “erase her story from the internet.” In it, she accused her parents and grandmother of abuse when she was a child.
At her mother’s local dance studio in New Jersey, she alleged that she experienced abuse when she was a kid because people were constantly talking about her weight and looks.
She stated that kids are sexualized in the dance community because looks and weight can affect a dancer’s future and there is a culture of cover-ups.
She also stated that she was exploited as a young actress during her time on Broadway and in Hollywood.
Her childhood traumas lead to suicidal thoughts and alcohol abuse. Eventually she met the right people and gave up alcohol and stopped thinking about killing herself.
Her career in music helped her heal and see that her life wasn’t over and that she had a lot more good to do in this world.
In December 2024, Angelo broke nearly three years of silence when she appeared on the “Warrior of Truth” podcast hosted by Kelly Dillon.
What she’s alleged is deeply disturbing. During her 6.5-hour interview on “Warrior of Truth,” Angelo discussed what she characterizes as “sexual abuse and trafficking she endured at the hands of her parents in New Jersey.” She’s described these experiences as “ritual abuse and trafficking,” suggesting something organized rather than isolated incidents.
The allegations extend beyond her home life. Angelo offered up shocking revelations about:
- Exploitation at her mother’s local dance studio in New Jersey
- A “culture of cover-ups” within that environment
- The “disturbing sexualization of children within the dance community”
- Exploitation as a young performer on both Broadway and in Hollywood
She’s described her childhood home as “full of the people they’re telling you to avoid.” Not exactly the safe, supportive environment you’d hope for, right?
Some of the most disturbing claims? Her parents allegedly controlled every little thing about her—her appearance, her weight, even her thoughts and emotions. That’s not just strict parenting. That’s next-level control, and it can mess with a kid’s head in serious ways.
The courts seem to have taken her claims seriously, too. Juliette has a restraining order against her mom, which suggests there was enough evidence to warrant legal protection but we don’t know all the details.
The psychological impact has been severe because Juliette has spoken about struggles with:
- PTSD
- Alcohol issues
- Stockholm Syndrome
Also she has claimed that her parents tried to put her under conservatorship, maybe as a control mechanism as she started to voice her opinions in the public sphere.
Juliette has handled her personal problems and professional endeavors with incredible poise, unlike many young performers who suffer from the pressures of early success.
The Dance Studio Connection: A Complicated Legacy
Juliette Angelo’s mom’s dance studio in New Jersey isn’t just a side note in her story—it’s front and center. And it’s not your average dance studio, either. For Juliette, it was a big part of her youth and her early steps into performance. But here’s the kicker: instead of being a safe, loving area, she says it became a place where she was exploited. Yes, it is just as chaotic as it seems.
And it’s not just about her. Juliette’s pointing fingers at the whole dance world. Let’s be honest—dance has been under a microscope lately. From reality TV shows to competitive studios, people are asking tough questions. Are the costumes too revealing? Is the choreography too mature for kids? Are teachers crossing lines? It’s a hot topic, and Juliette’s story adds fuel to the fire.
She’s talked about a “culture of cover-ups” in the dance community she grew up in. Basically, she’s saying this wasn’t just one bad apple—it was the whole system.
The James Franco Incident: A Window Into Parental Protection Issues
One of the most shocking things Juliette Angelo has talked about is an incident involving actor James Franco. She says he showed interest in her when she was underage—and her mom’s reaction? Pride. Not concern, not protection. Pride.
This story is a glaring example of what Juliette says was her parents’ biggest failure: putting her career and industry connections ahead of her safety. Instead of shielding her from potential predators, her mom apparently saw it as an opportunity to network and advance her career.
Her Broadway Debut
Juliette Angelo showed her precociousness by making her Broadway debut at the age of eight. This is the same age Lea Michele got an acting role in Les Miserables.
She was a replacement for some performances as Jane Banks in Mary Poppins; it required strong acting, singing and dancing skills.
She was in the original cast of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical”, which eventually won a Tony award for best director.
She went on to join the original cast of Billy Elliot, a show famous for its drama and powerful dance numbers.
Making a Difference in Movies and Television
Her initial love may have been Broadway, but Hollywood quickly drew her in. In Malibu Country (2012), Juliette Angelo makes her TV debut as the daughter of June Gallagher, played by Reba McEntire. Her transition from theater to television was marked by her natural ability to blend humor and emotion in this role.
You probably know Juliette Angelo best as Emily Fornell from NCIS. She played the role from 2013 to 2019 during her formative years, starting from the age of 13. Emily was the daughter of FBI agent Tobias Fornell and IRS criminal investigator Diane Sterling, and her storyline was a real tearjerker. In season 18, her character battled drug addiction and tragically died from an accidental overdose in the episode Winter Chill.
Juliette found out about her character’s death at the same time as the fans because the showrunners didn’t warn her and since her character’s death happened off-screen she did not have to film a death scene.
Playing Emily wasn’t just another role for Juliette—it was a chance to show off her serious acting chops. She brought so much emotional depth to the show, especially in those later seasons. Balancing strength, sensitivity, and intensity? Not easy, but she made it look effortless.
She kept establishing herself in the television industry by playing Geneva in ten episodes of Shameless. She was able to play a bold and multi-layered part in Shameless, which is known for its intricate, gritty storytelling, further demonstrating that she was anything but a one-note actor.
Her Feature Film Debut
Juliette Angelo’s extraordinary versatility is demonstrated by her ability to switch between theater, film, and television. In the Family, a potent drama examining themes of identity and belonging, was her feature film debut in 2011.
When she was cast in a supporting part in Aaron Sorkin’s 2020 film The Trial of the Chicago 7, her career took off. She proved she could compete with industry experts by delivering a performance that combined impact and sensitivity while sharing the screen with Hollywood heavyweights.
Her First Album
Juliette Angelo is a musician and storyteller in addition to being an actress. Her first album, Fields of Tennessee, an introspective compilation of original songs, was released as a result of her passion for composing and performing songs.
Her talent to convert personal events into poignant lyrics was further demonstrated by her hit, “if,” which has an honest and intensely personal tone. Angelo has a distinct presence in all fields because of her refreshingly honest approach, which sets her apart from many actresses who pursue music as a side love.
She visited Billings, Montana in December 2024 to perform her Patsy Cline tribute show.
