In a heartfelt revelation, Elizabeth Ann Hanks, daughter of the beloved actor Tom Hanks, has shared her tumultuous childhood experiences in her new memoir, "The 10: A Memoir of Family And The Open Road". The book sheds light on her life following her parents' high-profile divorce, detailing the emotional turmoil she and her brother, Colin, endured.

Elizabeth, who writes under the pen name E.A. Hanks, describes her upbringing as a mix of love and hardship. In her memoir, she discusses the significant impact their parents' split had on their family dynamics and her own mental health.

She recalls memories of confusion and violence, candidly stating, "From 5 to 14, years filled with confusion, violence, deprivation, and love, I was a Sacramento girl." The gravity of her experiences is palpable as she reflects on her childhood, stating, "I would visit my dad and stepmother (and soon enough my younger half brothers) on the weekends and during summers."

After her parents divorced, Elizabeth and her mother relocated to Sacramento without notice, leaving Tom Hanks searching for his children. “My dad came to pick us up from school, and we’re not there,” she recounts. This abrupt move marked a challenging chapter in her life, characterized by feelings of abandonment and confusion.

Adding to her struggles, Elizabeth suspects that her mother suffered from undiagnosed bipolar disorder, which contributed to her unstable behavior and neglect. She vividly describes her home life, saying, "The backyard became so full of dog s**t that you couldn’t walk around it; the house stank of smoke. The fridge was bare or full of expired food more often than not."

Things took a darker turn when Elizabeth and Colin were granted custody to their father after a physical incident involving their mother. This marked a pivotal moment, forcing Elizabeth to move back to Los Angeles in the middle of seventh grade.

Tragically, their mother, Samantha Lewes, passed away from lung cancer in 2002, when Elizabeth was only 19. Her death left unresolved questions that lingered over Elizabeth as she navigates her adult life. In a poignant moment, she writes about her regret in never having the chance to ask her mother about her tumultuous past, saying, "The questions I had for her... gathered dust."

To process her memories and write her memoir, Elizabeth retraced a road trip she took with her mother across America in a Winnebago when she was 14. This journey, which was intended to bring healing, also served as a backdrop to revisit the complexities of her relationship with her mother and her challenging childhood.

Through her candid storytelling, Hanks has received overwhelming praise online, with many applauding her bravery and authenticity in sharing her experiences. As the child of Hollywood royalty, her music resonates with a wider audience, showing that even those with famous parents face struggles that can profoundly impact their lives.

In conclusion, Elizabeth Ann Hanks' memoir is not just a personal account but a reflection of the broader impact of family dynamics, love, and resilience in the face of adversity.