NewIdea
  • Royals
  • Celebrity
  • News
  • Beauty & Style
  • Health & Wellbeing
  • Food
  • Win
  • Recipes
  • Video
NewIdea
  • Royals
  • Celebrity
  • News
  • Beauty & Style
  • Health & Wellbeing
  • Food
  • Win
  • Recipes
  • Video
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. News

The Bachelor’s Vakoo: “I was sexually abused”

The Namibian-born model opens up about her traumatic childhood - by Holly Richards
  • 11 Sep 2019

If you or someone you know is struggling, reach out to Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Vakoo Kauapirura has revealed she was sexually abused as a child.

Speaking to Holly Richards and Ali Cromarty on reality TV podcast Real Talk with Holly & Ali, the 23-year-old model opened up about the traumatic experience which led to her and her mother leaving their home in Namibia, Africa.

itsvakoo View Profile
2,445 likes - View Post on Instagram
The guy literally took just this one photo and it's now my favourite photo of her and I 😍 #allweneedisoneshot 😏 so happy to see my mum enjoying herself, happy belated birthday queen. Seeing you smile literally makes my heart explode and I wouldn't want to experience this with anyone else. I love you ❤️ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #smile #mood #motherdaughter #blackwomen #privatepool #duo #balivilla #poolside #girlsofinsta #blackgirlmagic #birthday #seminyak #bali #blackcocoagirls #melanin #love #melaningoddess #darkskinwomen

“I was born in Namibia,” she tells Real Talk.

“I lived there until I was 11. I had a really, really good life, but then I had a lot of traumatic stuff happen as well. When I was younger, in Namibia, I was sexually abused. I think I was eight years old, when it happened.”

Vakoo says she didn’t tell her mum about the incident for some time because she was worried she wouldn’t believe her, but when another heartbreaking incident occurred, she couldn’t keep it a secret any long.

itsvakoo View Profile
2,372 likes - View Post on Instagram
Rise and shine 🌞✨ use my code VakooXO for 10% off @zahliisleep . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #melaningoddess #zahliisleep #sleepwear #goldenhour #bustier #gold #brownskinbeauty #slaymelanin #smile #instagood #girl #natural #gcblog

“I think my mum eventually... because we had another incident. She was like, ‘I need to take her out’,” Vakoo explains.

“And she moved to England, to start a better life, and all that stuff. So then, she got me a ticket to go to Manchester.

“It would have been so hard for her. This is why I'm so scared to have a daughter, because I'm just like, oh my God, the stuff girls go through.”

itsvakoo View Profile
1,783 likes - View Post on Instagram
Yes, it's my birthday today but I thought I'd give you all a gift.. tune into @thebachelorau this year and you may see a familiar face 😱 Get the bubbles ready 🥂 Wednesday 7:30 on @channel10au #thebachelorau

Despite all the hardship she’s been through, Vakoo is adamant she won’t allow the experience to ruin her life.

“I don't really like to blame the world,” she says.

“I just try my best.”

To hear to the rest of the exclusive interview with Vakoo listen to the latest episode of Real Talk with Holly & Ali, below.

  • News
  • TV
  • The Bachelor
  • Reality TV
Holly Richards
Holly Richards is a freelance contributor to WHO and New Idea. With more than a decade of experience in the entertainment world she lives and breathes everything from the latest Bachelor gossip to who designed Meghan Markle's most recent outfit. Check out her reality TV podcast Real Talk With Holly & Ali.

Subscribe to New Idea & save!-+ save!

Subscribe to New Idea today

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to New Idea & save!

Subscribe to New Idea & save!-+ save!

Subscribe to New Idea today

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to New Idea & save!

Recommended to you

Home and Away opening title
Watch 1:09

Home and Away opening title

{headline}

{headline}

The Bachelor’s Vakoo a victim of shocking racist comments: ‘People calling me the N word’

The Bachelor’s Vakoo a victim of shocking racist comments: ‘People calling me the N word’

Bachelor Australia 2022: Who are Felix Von Hofe and Thomas Philbin-Malucelli?

Bachelor Australia 2022: Who are Felix Von Hofe and Thomas Philbin-Malucelli?

The Bachelor Australia 2021: Meet the women trying to land pilot Jimmy

The Bachelor Australia 2021: Meet the women trying to land pilot Jimmy

Meet Bachelor Jimmy Nicholson's family

Meet Bachelor Jimmy Nicholson's family

{headline}

{headline}

FIRST LOOK at The Bachelor Australia 2021

FIRST LOOK at The Bachelor Australia 2021

Australia, meet your 2021 Bachelor!

Australia, meet your 2021 Bachelor!

Bachie Locky's finale heartbreak: Separated for months!

Bachie Locky's finale heartbreak: Separated for months!

{headline}

{headline}

Locky's been a bad boy! HUGE Bachie bombshells revealed

Locky's been a bad boy! HUGE Bachie bombshells revealed

"This is so terrible": Fans slam "boring" Bachelor season

"This is so terrible": Fans slam "boring" Bachelor season

Bachelor fans hit back at "mean girl" Areeba

Bachelor fans hit back at "mean girl" Areeba

Former Bachelor star says Zoe-Clare was drunk during redhead rant

Former Bachelor star says Zoe-Clare was drunk during redhead rant

REVEALED: Who is Bachelor intruder Kaitlyn Hoppe

REVEALED: Who is Bachelor intruder Kaitlyn Hoppe

Bachelor Locky Gilbert's extreme job revealed

Bachelor Locky Gilbert's extreme job revealed

The Bachelor star Rachael Arahill dumps Vakoo Kauapirura for a man

The Bachelor star Rachael Arahill dumps Vakoo Kauapirura for a man

NewIdea
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Competitions
NewIdea Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Competitions

Brands

  • Girlfriend
  • New Idea food
  • Practical Parenting
  • That’s Life
  • Who

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • Home Beautiful
  • All Recipes
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • 7mate
  • 7NEWS
  • 7Sport
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from New Idea

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe to New Idea & save!-+ save!

Shop This Offer
Subscribe to New Idea & save!