(Warning: This post contains spoilers for Wednesday’s “The Masked Dancer.”)
Elizabeth Smart was revealed to be The Moth, the latest eliminated “Masked Dancer” contestant, on Wednesday night. This unmasking is one that Smart says she knows is going to come as a strange one for fans of the silly Fox competition — which so far has unveiled Ice-t and Bill Nye among its celebrity contestants — as she is best known for her nine-month kidnapping at the age of 14.
“I was pretty shocked, actually, when I was first reached out to,” the 33-year-old Smart, who is now an activist and advocate for missing persons and has had her life and abduction covered in multiple non-fiction books and films, told TheWrap. “And I kept thinking, ‘Surely not, surely they don’t actually mean me. They must be wrong.’ But I just got a call and they asked if I would consider coming...
Elizabeth Smart was revealed to be The Moth, the latest eliminated “Masked Dancer” contestant, on Wednesday night. This unmasking is one that Smart says she knows is going to come as a strange one for fans of the silly Fox competition — which so far has unveiled Ice-t and Bill Nye among its celebrity contestants — as she is best known for her nine-month kidnapping at the age of 14.
“I was pretty shocked, actually, when I was first reached out to,” the 33-year-old Smart, who is now an activist and advocate for missing persons and has had her life and abduction covered in multiple non-fiction books and films, told TheWrap. “And I kept thinking, ‘Surely not, surely they don’t actually mean me. They must be wrong.’ But I just got a call and they asked if I would consider coming...
- 1/14/2021
- by Jennifer Maas
- The Wrap
Wanda Barzee's Children Once Called Their Mother A 'Monster' Who Should 'Never See The Light Of Day'
One of Elizabeth Smart's kidnappers was released from prison last month, and now many are wondering more about her family. Turns out, the now 72-year-old has six children, all of whom have spoken out against their mother — even calling her a "monster." "I think the media portrayed my mother as being a victim of Brian David Mitchell, and I think one of the reasons I wanted to come on this show is to kind of expose her for the monster she is," Wanda's daughter, Andrea, revealed on Oprah in 2010. LouRee Gayler, the youngest of the bunch, was just 14 years old when she found out her mother served her pet rabbit for dinner. "I asked what's for dinner and she said chicken," LouRee said on the show. She remembered her mother and her second husband, Brian, just picking at their meals, "but she had a smile on her face the whole time,...
- 10/1/2018
- by Megan Heintz
- In Touch Weekly
Wanda Barzee, who kidnapped Elizabeth Smart in 2002, was released from prison on Sept. 19, and she's reportedly staying at a hotel in South Salt Lake, Ut. Since then, several neighbors have come forward expressing their concerns. Vanessa Phillips, who has lived in the hotel with her two children for a couple months, said she saw Barzee outside the hotel Wednesday afternoon. "I remember her face," she told Fox 13. "I smiled — I always smile at everyone around here, they're all homeless and I say hi — not realizing it was her, though." The now 72-year-old walked free earlier this week after spending more than 15 years behind bars. She admitted to helping her husband, Brian David Mitchell, take a then-teenage Smart from her Utah home and held her captive for nine months. In July, the Utah Board of Pardons denied her an early release, but last Tuesday, they made a surprising reversal decision.
- 9/21/2018
- by Megan Heintz
- In Touch Weekly
Elizabeth Smart's kidnapper is a free woman again -- Wanda Barzee got out of a Utah state prison, and was spotted chowing down shortly thereafter. Barzee was carrying a salad and a banana on Wednesday as she walked into a halfway house. She was convicted for aiding Brian David Mitchell in kidnapping Elizabeth in 2002, and spent 15 years behind bars. Elizabeth says Barzee stood by and watched as Mitchell repeatedly raped her. Not long after Barzee's release,...
- 9/19/2018
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
One of Elizabeth Smart's kidnappers, Wanda Barzee, was released from prison on Wednesday after spending more than 15 years behind bars. The now 72-year-old admitted to helping her husband, Brian David Mitchell, take the teenager from her Utah home and hold her captive for nine months. Upon her release, Smart, 30, released a statement to the public: "Without doubt the past few weeks have been a rollercoaster of emotion, and I would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone for their kind words, support, and concern. It has meant so much to me," she wrote on Instagram on Sept. 19. "May we all remain vigilant in watching over our families, friends, and community from anyone who would seek to hurt or take advantage. I truly believe life is meant to be happy and beautiful, and no matter what happens that will remain my goal for me and for my family." View this...
- 9/19/2018
- by Megan Heintz
- In Touch Weekly
Elizabeth Smart has good reason to be scared of the fact one of her kidnappers is being released from prison ... because the parole board tells TMZ the convict poses a danger to society. The Utah Board of Pardons and Prisons believes ... Wanda Barzee is unfit for parole -- but the board's hands are tied because the 72-year-old will complete her sentence next week and be released Sept. 19. Just 3 months ago the Board said Barzee was unfit for early release.
- 9/17/2018
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Elizabeth Smart -- famously kidnapped and held captive for 9 months when she was 14 -- is speaking out about the pending release of one of her captors ... and she's taking extreme measures to protect her family. Elizabeth doesn't specifically say what she plans to do to keep her family safe because she's afraid of tipping her hand before next week's release of 72-year-old Wanda Barzee. Barzee pled guilty to helping kidnap Smart in 2002, and she's expected...
- 9/13/2018
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
This week, the Utah Board of Pardons announced that Wanda Barzee, who aided in kidnapping then-teenager Elizabeth Smart in 2002, will be freed from prison on September 19th. Smart, now a 30-year-old mother of two who works as a child safety advocate, said she was “surprised and disappointed” by the decision to free one of her captors.
“It is incomprehensible how someone who has not cooperated with her mental-health evaluations or risk assessments and someone who did not show up to her own parole hearing can be released into our community,...
“It is incomprehensible how someone who has not cooperated with her mental-health evaluations or risk assessments and someone who did not show up to her own parole hearing can be released into our community,...
- 9/12/2018
- by Amelia McDonell-Parry
- Rollingstone.com
Congratulations are in order! Elizabeth Smart announced that she was pregnant via Instagram on June 25, revealing that she's expecting her third child with husband Matthew Gilmour. The 30-year-old kidnap survivor posted a photo of her sonogram to share the incredible news. “Pretty Huge news!! We’re expecting baby #3 in November!!" Elizabeth wrote. The couple couldn't be more thrilled about welcoming another bundle of joy into the world, six years after tying the knot in a private ceremony in Hawaii. Elizabeth and Matthew are already the proud parents to 3-year-old daughter Chloe and 14-month-old son James. "Congratulations to you and your husband! Wishing you a safe and easy pregnancy...Blessings!" one of her followers sweetly wrote, while another added: "Congrats Elizabeth, you so deserve this joy!" Pretty Huge news!!!!!! We’re expecting baby #3 in November!!!!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️...
- 6/27/2018
- by Samantha Benitz
- In Touch Weekly
The Lifetime hit I Am Elizabeth Smart comes to DVD on July 10 from Lionsgate. Discover the true story of 14 year old Elizabeth who was abducted and tortured, shocking the world to the core.
Experience one of the most harrowing true stories of all time told by the one who survived it when I Am Elizabeth Smart arrives on DVD July 10 from Lionsgate. Based on one of the most famous abductions in history, authorized and narrated by Smart herself, the film tells the true story that only she can tell. A smash hit when it premiered on Lifetime®, I Am Elizabeth Smart will be available on DVD for the suggested retail price of $14.98.
This Lifetime® film chronicles the true story of the June 2002 abduction of 14-year-old Elizabeth Ann Smart (Alana Boden) from her home in Salt Lake City by religious fanatic Brian David Mitchell (Skeet Ulrich). Over the course of her nine-month captivity,...
Experience one of the most harrowing true stories of all time told by the one who survived it when I Am Elizabeth Smart arrives on DVD July 10 from Lionsgate. Based on one of the most famous abductions in history, authorized and narrated by Smart herself, the film tells the true story that only she can tell. A smash hit when it premiered on Lifetime®, I Am Elizabeth Smart will be available on DVD for the suggested retail price of $14.98.
This Lifetime® film chronicles the true story of the June 2002 abduction of 14-year-old Elizabeth Ann Smart (Alana Boden) from her home in Salt Lake City by religious fanatic Brian David Mitchell (Skeet Ulrich). Over the course of her nine-month captivity,...
- 6/26/2018
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Wanda Barzee, the woman who admitted to helping her husband Brian David Mitchell kidnap Elizabeth Smart in 2002, was a no-show to her parole hearing on June 12. The 72-year-old reportedly refused to stand before Utah's parole board even though she could have asked to be released, according to the Salt Lake Tribune. Board member Angela Miklos revealed Barzee also denied the chance to meet with a psychiatrist —a mandatory requirement for parole. Now the parole board must decide whether to set a date when she’ll be set free, schedule another hearing, or keep her behind bars until her sentence ends. It could take anywhere from two weeks to a month until their choice is announced. Elizabeth's father Ed Smart, told reporters he wouldn't have objected to her release if mental health experts had signed off on it. Even though Elizabeth wasn't present for Barzee's hearing, she did break her silence about the ordeal via Instagram.
- 6/14/2018
- by Samantha Benitz
- In Touch Weekly
Their cases made national news. Undergoing horrible ordeals as children, from kidnapping to abuse, they all managed to survive and tell their stories. From Elizabeth Smart to Jaycee Dugard, these kids from famous crime cases are both horrifying and inspiring. For Elizabeth, she was able to turn her traumatic experience with being kidnapped at 14 into an advocacy career. She's now a spokesperson for the anti-pornography group, Fight the New Drug. "He would just sit and look at it and stare at it, and he would just talk about these women, and then when he was done, he would turn and look at me, and he would be like, 'Now we're going to do this,'" she said in a video about her convicted abductor, Brian David Mitchell. Since her 2003 rescue, Elizabeth credits her Mormon faith and her supportive, loving family as helping her deal with the aftermath of trauma. But...
- 5/24/2018
- by Tiffany White
- In Touch Weekly
The Lifetime hit I Am Elizabeth Smart comes to DVD on July 10 from Lionsgate. Discover the true story of 14 year old Elizabeth who was abducted and tortured, shocking the world to the core.
Experience one of the most harrowing true stories of all time told by the one who survived it when I Am Elizabeth Smart arrives on DVD July 10 from Lionsgate. Based on one of the most famous abductions in history, authorized and narrated by Smart herself, the film tells the true story that only she can tell. A smash hit when it premiered on Lifetime®, I Am Elizabeth Smart will be available on DVD for the suggested retail price of $14.98.
This Lifetime film chronicles the true story of the June 2002 abduction of 14-year-old Elizabeth Ann Smart (Alana Boden) from her home in Salt Lake City by religious fanatic Brian David Mitchell (Skeet Ulrich). Over the course of her nine-month captivity,...
Experience one of the most harrowing true stories of all time told by the one who survived it when I Am Elizabeth Smart arrives on DVD July 10 from Lionsgate. Based on one of the most famous abductions in history, authorized and narrated by Smart herself, the film tells the true story that only she can tell. A smash hit when it premiered on Lifetime®, I Am Elizabeth Smart will be available on DVD for the suggested retail price of $14.98.
This Lifetime film chronicles the true story of the June 2002 abduction of 14-year-old Elizabeth Ann Smart (Alana Boden) from her home in Salt Lake City by religious fanatic Brian David Mitchell (Skeet Ulrich). Over the course of her nine-month captivity,...
- 5/1/2018
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Elizabeth Smart Reveals The "Humiliation, Pain, and Total Degradation" of Her Kidnapping in New Book
The word survivor doesn't even begin to describe Elizabeth Smart. The child safety activist was only 14 years old when she was taken from her Utah home in 2002. Her kidnappers threatened her with a knife before holding her captive for nine months before releasing her. In her new book — Where There’s Hope: Healing, Moving Forward, and Never Giving Up — she described the horrific details of the abuse she encountered as a teenager. "There aren't words to describe the humiliation, pain, and total degradation I felt over the subsequent hours," the 30-year-old mom wrote. For the first time, we really get an idea of just how monstrous her captors were. "In my opinion, rape is worse than murder. When it was over, he stood up and walked out of the tent without the slightest shadow of regret. No concern. No remorse." A post shared by Elizabeth Smart (@elizabethsmartofficial) on Mar 8, 2018 at...
- 3/23/2018
- by In Touch Weekly
- In Touch Weekly
Six years ago this month, a drifter named Brian David Mitchell allegedly kidnapped 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart at knifepoint from her Salt Lake City bedroom and held her captive for nine months. Having rarely spoken about her ordeal in the five years since she was rescued on March 12, 2003, Smart – now 20 and a junior at Brigham Young University majoring in music performance – agreed to talk with People about how she is doing because she feels her story can help other children who have survived abductions."I feel so fortunate that I was able to come through this unscarred. I want to tell other people,...
- 6/12/2008
- PEOPLE.com
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.