Monica Lewinsky Speaks Out about Surviving Humiliation of Being Branded a 'Tramp'

Monica Lewinsky didn't hold anything back at TED2015, talking about the humiliation she suffered following the infamous 1998 sex scandal with former President Bill Clinton.

"It is time to stop tip-toeing around my past," Lewinsky said. "I am probably the only person over 40 who does not want to be 22 again."

She told the crowd of being a young woman who fell in love with her boss. “At the age of 24, I learned the devastating consequences."

"Now I admit I made mistakes — especially wearing that beret — but the attention and judgment that I received — not the story, but that I personally received — was unprecedented," she said. "I was branded as a tramp, tart, slut, whore, bimbo and, of course, 'that woman.' I was known by many, but actually known by few. I get it. It was easy to forget 'that woman' was dimensional and had a soul."

Lewinsky's talk didn't have anything to do with politics, but was instead intended to bring awareness to online bullying and harassment.

"Anyone who is suffering from shame and public humiliation needs to know one thing: you can survive it. It may not be painless, quick or easy, but you can insist on a different ending to your story."

The 41-year-old former intern urged an end to "shaming as a blood sport,” saying, "Imagine walking a mile in someone else's headline,” and deadpanned, “This scandal was brought to you by the digital revolution."