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‘Supergirl’ Melissa Benoist Reveals She’s a Domestic Violence Survivor
Melissa Benoist shared her experience via an Instagram Story
Supergirl star Melissa Benoit posted an Instagram Story where she shared a video revealing she’s a domestic violence survivor. The 14-minute video doesn’t go into the specifics of who the perpetrator was. However, Melissa Benoit stated that the person was younger than her. This has led many to believe that the actress might be referring to ex-husband Blake Jenner.
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“The abuse was not violent at first,” she said in the IG story video. “At first it reared its head at me under guise of common dysfunction, coming from his insecurity and depression. He confided in me the tragedies that he had experienced, the injustices and the insecurities that he had been dealt. It was all very real and easy to sympathize.”
Melissa Benoist and Blake Jenner got married in 2015. The Supergirl actress filed for divorce in December 2016 which was finalized in 2017. She is currently married to her Supergirl co-star Chris Wood.
The video also touched upon the subject of work with Benoist stating that he would get jealous when she was around other men. He would also tell her to change her clothes, getting upset when she interacted or had flirtatious scenes with a male co-worker.
“Work in general was a touchy subject,” she revealed. “He didn’t want me ever kissing or even having flirtatious scenes with men, which was very hard for me to avoid, so I began turning down auditions, job offers, test deals and friendships, because I didn’t want to hurt him.”
Melissa Benoist said that the first incident of domestic violence occurred five months into their relationship when he threw a smoothie at her.
She said at one point things got so bad she had to fight back violently to protect herself. However, the actress reached a breaking point when he threw an iPhone at her face, nearly rupturing her eyeball while also breaking her nose and giving her a fat lip.
“This was too far and I couldn’t flush this story down with the tug of the drain,” she said. This was the time when she finally called things off.
Melissa Benoist also shared her hope that her story will help others seek help.
“The long and winding road of healing and reconciliation has brought me to this moment where I feel strong enough to talk about my experience openly, honestly and without shame,” she wrote. “By sharing my story, hopefully I can empower others to seek help and extricate themselves from abusive relationships. Everyone deserves to be loved void of violence, fear and physical harm. @futureswithoutviolence.”
#IStandWithMelissa: Celebrities support Melissa Benoist
Numerous celebrities have come out to stand in support of Melissa Benoist in the aftermath of her story.
Supergirl co-creator, Ali Adler took to Twitter to show her support, “If it can happen to #SUPERGIRL it can happen to anyone. So proud of @MelissaBenoist for speaking about her experience. #IPV.”
If it can happen to #SUPERGIRL it can happen to anyone. So proud of @MelissaBenoist for speaking about her experience. #IPV
— Ali Adler (@AliAdler) November 27, 2019
Lili Reinhart, of Riverdale fame, also showed her support for Benoist through Instagram: “Please take the time to visit @melissabenoist’s IGTV. I am so moved by her bravery and strength in coming forward about her experience. Share this message, talk to your family about this, do not shy away from this subject.”
Insecure Actress Natasha Rothwell encouraged everyone to donate to the National Domestic Violence Hotline via Twitter.
I stand on awe of @MelissaBenoist’s courage. If you can, donate to @ndvh and:
“Check on your strong friends.
Check on your quiet friends.
Check on your "happy" friends.
Check on your creative friends.
Check on each other.”
—@iamlaurenp https://t.co/k1zcJoHUx5— Natasha Rothwell (@natasharothwell) November 28, 2019
Gymnast Laurie Hernandez tweeted: “melissa, i am so proud of you. there is so much courage in sharing your story, and you chose to take your story and share it with the world. we see your strength. thank you for sharing.”
melissa, i am so proud of you. there is so much courage in sharing your story, and you chose to take your story and share it with the world. we see your strength. thank you for sharing♥️
— Laurie Hernandez (@LaurieHernandez) November 28, 2019
Actress Rachel Zegler expressed her support for the actress, writing: “i adore you, melissa benoist. you are strong and beautiful and loved.”
i adore you, melissa benoist. you are strong and beautiful and loved.
— rachel zegler (@rachelzegler) November 27, 2019
Her fellow co-star Jeremy Jordan shared an Instagram Story that read: “This is what a superhero looks like. Love u so, @melissabenoist.”
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