Little Miss Sunshine star Abigail Breslin has revealed that she is a survivor of domestic violence and that her previous abusive relationship made her feel like she ‘deserved less than dirt’.
The actress, 26, told her story on Instagram on Friday, stating that she was with the abuser for two years and was regularly beaten and locked in rooms.
The star made the decision to tell her story during Domestic Violence Awareness Month and expressed her hope to help ‘some people feel a little bit less alone.’
Tough: Little Miss Sunshine star Abigail Breslin has revealed that she is a survivor of domestic violence and that her previous abusive relationship made her feel like she ‘deserved less than dirt’
The actress began her post by giving a disclaimer and trigger warning to anyone reading about her personal experience surviving an abusive relationship.
‘As a DV survivor I felt compelled to write a little but about my story. I was in a very abusive relationship for close to 2 years. It all started out perfectly, I was so in love,’ she typed.
She then added that her ‘abuser took advantage of my innocence and naïveté and the relationship subsequently became violent.’
Difficult: The actress, 26, told her story on Instagram on Friday, stating that she was with the abuser for two years and was regularly beaten and locked in rooms
Opening up: The star made the decision to tell her story during Domestic Violence Awareness Month and expressed her hope to help ‘some people feel a little bit less alone’
Abigail then opened up and went into detail about the abusive situations she had suffered through.
‘I was beaten on a regular basis, locked into rooms and forced to pretend everything was ok and normal while dealing with intense injuries…injuries most people didn’t even see.’
Abigail admitted in her post that she used to hide her bruises with different kinds of makeup, ‘because in some way, I still cared for this person.’
Covering the injuries: The star admitted she used to hide her bruises and injuries with makeup such as a heavy layer of foundation because at the time she ‘still cared for this person’
Youth: Abigail found fame in 2006 when she starred in the film Little Miss Sunshine
Years: The Zombieland actress revealed in her story that she had suffered from domestic violence for almost two years; seen in NYC in July 2021
Along with physical abuse, she revealed her partner had also been verbally abusive towards her. She then voiced the inner turmoil that was caused from the relationship.
‘I felt so unworthy of anyones love. I felt ugly and hated. I felt like I deserved less than dirt. I was certain, there must be something WRONG with ME. That I was a b***h, a problem, stupid, useless, ridiculous, overly sensitive, unreasonable and unlovable.’
Despite feeling at her most ‘loneliest’ at the time, the Signs actress wrote that her family and friends ‘played an instrumental and invaluable role in helping me leave this horrible situation.’
‘I will forever be indebted to those closest to me for them not only assisting me but, BELIEVING me,’ she added.
Gratitude: Despite feeling lonely during the years of her abusive relationship, the actress thanked her family and friends for ‘helping me leave this horrible situation’ and for ‘believing me’
Hope: Abigail expressed that she was now in a ‘healthy’ and ‘amazing’ relationship with her fiance, Ira Kunyansky
The award-winning actress expressed hope to current victims and survivors, stating that she was now in a ‘healthy’ and ‘amazing’ relationship with her fiance, Ira Kunyansky.
The two became officially engaged earlier this year in February, and both excitedly announced the big news on their social media.
Ira shared an adorable snap after he proposed, showing Abigail holding up her hand to flash the stunning engagement ring. ‘She said YES,’ he had typed in the caption of the post.
The Stillwater star also documented the happy and memorable moment by sharing a photo of the diamond ring, humorously writing, ‘I was like, ‘duh.’
Happy relationship: Following her abusive relationship, Abigail entered a healthier and ‘wonderful’ relationship with her current fiance; the two pictured Friday in Hollywood at premiere of Slayers
Engaged: The award-winning star and her now fiance became engaged earlier this year in February
Cute! Abigail showed a close look at the sparkling, diamond shortly after the proposal, adding the hashtag, ‘#engagedyall’
‘The aftermath of abuse is a complicated and individual experience,’ she stated towards the conclusion of her post.
‘I hope sharing a bit more about my story at least helps some people feel a little bit less alone. If you are in an abusive relationship currently, you CAN get out of it. I know it seems impossible and terrifying, but you have survived so much and you CAN survive leaving if you have the right tools and support.’
Abigail then added a slide with information for victims of domestic violence with a 24 hour hotline for the NCADV, or National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, (1-800-799-7233).
Inspiring others: The star expressed to those who are currently in an abusive relationship that they ‘CAN get out of it’
Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) takes place in October each year, and began over 30 years ago in 1987. According to the NCADV’s official website, DVAM is a, ‘way to connect and unite individuals and organizations working on domestic violence issues while raising awareness for those issues.’
Social media users shared their love to Abigail in the comment section after she chose to upload her story, with one follower writing, ‘Love you so much, forever proud of u,’.
Another said: ‘Sending you all the love in the world you brave, gorgeous woman!! Big hugs.’
Raising awareness: Abigail shared her story amid October’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month; seen in Cannes in July 2021