Lenny Kravitz recently delved into a significant personal experience from his teenage years, shedding light on a sensitive topic while asserting that he does not consider the incident as assault. In a recent interview with Esquire, the 59-year-old “American Woman” singer covered various subjects, including the upcoming release of his first studio album in five years, an ensuing tour, and individuals he deeply admires.
The rock icon elaborated on an incident from his youth that profoundly influenced his perspectives on relationships later in life. Addressing an unwelcome sexual encounter he had previously discussed in his 2020 memoir, “Let Love Rule,” Kravitz expressed that the encounter served as both an experience and a lesson, emphasizing the nuanced nature of such situations.
Lenny Kravitz (Credits: USA Today)
“It was an experience and a lesson. Everything doesn’t have to be so…,” Kravitz began when broaching the subject. Following a brief pause, he continued, “I’m not saying that there aren’t things that deserve to be addressed — maybe somebody would say it should have been addressed and that it was, whatever, but that’s the time it was. I lived, and I learned. I wasn’t traumatized.”
According to Esquire, Kravitz detailed in his book that the incident occurred when his parents were away, and he was under the care of a family friend. While lying in bed, an acquaintance of the sitter entered his room, climbed under the covers, and touched him without consent. Reflecting on this in his adult years, Kravitz acknowledged the lasting impact it had on him, leading him to reject any notion of coercing or convincing women in his later relationships.
“I wasn’t interested in convincing or coercing women. I’d been coerced myself and didn’t like it,” he conveyed, as per the outlet’s description of his book.
Kravitz also shared with Esquire instances from his past where he was not an exemplary partner in romantic relationships. Admitting that he did not always have the best judgment in selecting partners, he confessed to putting some people through challenging times.
Despite acknowledging past shortcomings, the “Fly Away” artist remains optimistic about love and the prospect of remarrying someday. After his marriage to Lisa Bonet in 1987 and subsequent divorce in 1993, the couple shares a daughter, Zoë Kravitz, 34. Kravitz expressed personal growth, increased strength, discipline, and a heightened openness to the idea of future relationships, emphasizing the challenges he faced in navigating the complexities of love and commitment.
In a 2019 exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Kravitz reaffirmed his journey of self-discovery, recognizing the need for improvement in past relationships but expressing readiness for a more positive romantic chapter in his life.
