In an interview with Oprah, Reese Whiterspoon opened up about how leaving an abusive partner was the hardest thing she’s ever had to do in her life.
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The 41-year-old actress talked about her own experience with domestic violence. She revealed that the toxic relationship crushed her soul, damaged her self-esteem and that leaving it was the best decision of her life.
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She talks about walking away from the relationship as a change ‘on a cellular level’. Practically, the actress said escaping the abusive relationship saved her life.
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“I could never be the person I am today. It changed who I was on a cellular level, the fact that I stood up for myself.”
“A line got drawn in the sand, and it got crossed, and my brain just switched,” she explained to O Magazine. “I knew it was going to be very difficult but I just couldn’t go any further. But it was profound and I was young.”
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“None of those leaving those situations … it’s wrought with self-doubt, particularly if someone damages, particularly if someone damages your self-esteem.”
“I didn’t have self-esteem. I’m a different person now and it’s part of why I can stand up and say, ‘’yes, I’m ambitious’ – because someone tried to take that from me before. “People say to me that knew me then, ‘You’re a completely different person.”
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Her own tough experience motivated her to get involved in the production of ‘Big Little Lies‘, a show that has enjoyed big success.
Watch the conversation in full, here.
