Melissa Benoist's ex Blake Jenner apologizes for 'emotionally, mentally and physically' abusing her

Melissa Benoist’s ex-husband Blake Jenner admits to ’emotionally, mentally’ and ‘physically’ hurting the Supergirl actress. 

Jenner, 28, and Benoist, 32, were married from 2015 to 2017, and last year the Supergirl actress revealed she was a survivor of domestic violence – without specifying her abuser by name. 

The actor confirmed he was the partner in question in a lengthy statement Thursday, where he apologized for his actions and also insisted that the abuse went both ways.

DailyMail.com has contacted Jenner’s and Benoist’s representatives for comment. 

Coming forward: Melissa Benoist's ex-husband Blake Jenner admits to 'emotionally, mentally' and 'physically' hurting the Supergirl actress. (pictured 2016)

Coming forward: Melissa Benoist’s ex-husband Blake Jenner admits to ’emotionally, mentally’ and ‘physically’ hurting the Supergirl actress. (pictured 2016)

Without naming her in the statement, Jenner addressed a specific instance in which he threw his cell phone at a partner, causing an injury to her eye.

The actor admitted this did indeed happen, and has always regretted it.   

‘I take full responsibility and accountability for the hurt that I inflicted during my relationship with my past partner – emotionally, mentally and yes, physically.’

‘Two years prior to the end of our relationship, there was a time where my past partner and I were in an argument that escalated, and in a moment of frustration, while I was standing in the hallway and she was in our bedroom, I threw my phone aimlessly and it hit my former partner in her face.

 

His side: Jenner finally confirmed he was the person Benoist was speaking of in a lengthy statement posted Thursday, in which he apologized for his actions and insisted the abuse went both ways

His side: Jenner finally confirmed he was the person Benoist was speaking of in a lengthy statement posted Thursday, in which he apologized for his actions and insisted the abuse went both ways

‘I froze in a state of shock and horror as my then-partner screamed in anguish, her eye immediately swollen shut from the impact of the phone. It’s a moment that I will regret for the rest of my life. She sat there crying and I can only imagine the pain, fear, and shame she must have felt in that moment. If I could do anything to take it back, I would.’

As the relationship became abusive, Jenner said they sought therapy, and though things improved temporarily, it would ultimately revert to toxicity.

‘Without absolving myself of any responsibility, it is important to understand that there was mental, emotional and physical abuse inflicted from both ends. As a result, my former partner and I began to see a therapist together, but despite numerous attempts to work our issues out, we would find ourselves stuck in this toxic cycle that our relationship became.’  

Jenner described an emotionally abusive relationship in which he was allegedly ‘prohibited’ from seeing friends, made to pass on jobs due to jealousy, and physically assaulted. 

In addition to being punched and scratched, the actor says he went to the hospital for a broken nose after he was allegedly punched in the face.

He also claims he was ‘physically assaulted’ in the shower and left with an injury he declined to go into any detail about.

‘The mental and emotional abuse began at the start of our relationship. I was made to pass on numerous jobs and opportunities because of jealousy of prospective female co-stars. I was discouraged from and threatened to not develop relationships with and take photos with female co-stars at professional events. 

‘Threats and derogatory comments were made regarding female colleagues I had worked or was working with.’

In addition to being ‘punched’ and ‘scratched,’ the actor claims he went to the hospital for a broken nose after he was hit in the face.

‘I was made to feel guilty for working as I received calls from my former partner while I was away, threatening self-harm out of depression and deep-seated fear of abandonment. I was isolated – prohibited from seeing my friends for years, resulting in this toxic relationship becoming the entirety of my world.

‘I was verbally and emotionally abused for everything from the family I was born into to the clothes I would wear in photoshoots. I was scratched. I was slapped. I was punched in the face, which caused a trip to the hospital to treat my broken nose. 

‘I, too, have had to conceal and make up lies about many visible injuries I had incurred throughout the relationship. I was physically assaulted in the shower, leaving me with a traumatic injury that I do not want to delve into at this time.’

Jenner said there were ‘discrepancies’ in her version of events, but refused to go any further to avoid ‘mudslinging.’

Alleged injuries: In addition to being 'punched' and 'scratched,' the actor claims he went to the hospital for a broken nose after he was hit in the face. The pair are seen in 2013 above

Alleged injuries: In addition to being ‘punched’ and ‘scratched,’ the actor claims he went to the hospital for a broken nose after he was hit in the face. The pair are seen in 2013 above

Jenner says he has been working on his issues with a therapist since.

‘To every victim of situational couple violence and any victim of any form of abuse that may have been triggered by our story, I am truly sorry. I know that no statement or letter can convey this, so I will make every attempt to lead with action – I stand with you as a victim myself, I repent for the abuse I inflicted as an aggressor myself, and vow to never retreat to losing who I am ever again.’

‘However, the most important apology extends – then and now – to my former partner. I am sorry. There are many things that I wish I could have done differently; and while I wish it did not take the pain that was suffered throughout the course of our relationship, I will never regress to making the same mistakes ever again. I will never stop doing the work necessary to better myself in all areas of my life. I wish you and your family but good health, joy and love.’ 

The admission comes nearly a year after Benoist first came forward with her story, sparking an outpouring of support.

Healing: Jenner says he has been working on his issues with a therapist (pictured 2015)

Healing: Jenner says he has been working on his issues with a therapist (pictured 2015)

‘The stark truth is I learned what it felt like to be pinned down and slapped repeatedly, punched so hard the wind was knocked out of me, dragged by my hair across pavement, head butted, pinched until my skin broke, shoved into a wall so hard the drywall broke, choked,’ she said at the time. 

‘I learned to lock myself in rooms but quickly stopped because the door was inevitably broken down. I learned to not value any of my property – replaceable and irreplaceable. I learned not to value myself.’

Benoist divorced Jenner in 2017 and is now married to actor Chris Wood, whom she shares newborn son Huxley with. 

For confidential help and support in the US please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline on 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).

If you are in the UK please call the National Domestic Violence freephone helpline on 0808 2000 247

The admission comes nearly a year after Benoist first came forward with her story, sparking an outpouring of support

The admission comes nearly a year after Benoist first came forward with her story, sparking an outpouring of support

source: dailymail.co.uk