During the season 3 premiere of Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test on January 8, Denise Richards, 53, and her fellow participants faced the challenge of a helicopter extraction. This involved jumping from a boat onto a hovering helicopter and pulling themselves up into the cabin.

Denise Richards (@deniserichards Instagram)

This task, inspired by the real Army Special Forces selection process, prompted Richards to reflect on her past. She stated, “I really want to learn how to not be overwhelmed by fear. I've been through traumatic situations that have been very terrifying for me. I want to learn how to deal with those issues and be stronger.”

Following her unsuccessful attempt to reach the helicopter's cabin, the Directing Staff (DS) called her in for a conversation. They observed that she had a “deer in the headlights” expression throughout the challenge.

“It's hard. I'm completely out of my comfort zone,” said Richards before adding, “I'm not petrified. I'm emotional right now.”

The DS observed that she seemed to “freeze” during the activity, and the mother of three replied,“Yes, I'm completely overcome by certain fearful situations, and I want to learn how to stay calm and do something.Part of the reason I wanted to do this course is I've been in situations where I freeze and I can't function, I can't even speak to protect myself.”

The former star of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, who is a mother to daughters Sami, 20, Lola, 19, and Eloise, 13, shared a harrowing experience involving her husband, Aaron Phypers.

“We were driving. He wanted to take me to a set," she said. "He didn't want me going alone, thank God, and we were physically shot at in his truck, and I sat on the floor and was just literally, I peed. I was so scared… I froze.”

“The first time I ever experienced that I was 15 and I noticed a man following me,” she continued. “He came up from behind me, put his hand around my mouth, grabbed my vagina, and started dragging me, and I froze, like I couldn't even scream for help.”

After admitting that she had only told her husband about the sexual assault, Richards broke down in tears and added, “It's so scary to have that situation, you know, that age and be so vulnerable. And I have three daughters, and I want them to be able to never go through that. And also, if something, God forbid, happen to be strong enough.”

“I think that I haven't addressed a lot of what I have gone through, and it's very terrifying. I don't know if I would be able to get over my past," she said.

In the second episode, after taking a thrilling leap off a 130-foot bridge for bungee jumping and tackling a surf immersion challenge where they repeatedly plunge underwater while holding onto each other, Richards came to the conclusion that the Fox bootcamp-style reality series was becoming overwhelming for her.

Richards, struggling with back pain that made it nearly impossible for her to walk, tore off her armband and decided to leave.

“I really want to have the entire experience, but the older I get, I don't know if I'm physically capable of doing it,” she said.

Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test is an intense reality TV show that challenges celebrity contestants to undergo a rigorous training process similar to the selection training faced by real Special Forces recruits. Hosted by a team of former elite soldiers, the show pushes participants through physically and mentally demanding tasks designed to test their limits and resilience. Each challenge is inspired by actual military selection processes and includes activities like helicopter extractions, survival training, and grueling endurance tests.

Throughout the competition, contestants face extreme stressors meant to break them down, forcing them to confront their fears, vulnerabilities, and physical exhaustion. The show's format also includes emotional moments as participants open up about their personal struggles and past traumas, adding a psychological element to the physical challenges.

In the premiere of season 3, aired on January 8, 2024, several celebrities, including Denise Richards, took on these demanding tasks. As contestants push through the challenges, they are evaluated by the Directing Staff (DS), who assess their mental toughness, teamwork, and ability to remain composed under pressure. This high-stakes, bootcamp-style reality series provides viewers with a raw look at the contestants' personal journeys as they strive to survive the world's toughest test.

Meghan Markle Makes a Return to Podcasting with Lemonada Media