In 1962, a 17-year-old Terrell became involved in an abusive relationship with singer James Brown, who was 12 years older than her. In an episode of music documentary series Unsung, it was revealed that Terrell suffered from health, mental and physical trauma after being raped when she was a teenager on her way home from school by three boys.
She had abusive relationships with James Brown and David Ruffin.
