The tormented childhood behind this star’s glittering career

She’s described herself as a tormented child, forced to wear a “sexy facade” because that was expected of her.

Today, she speaks openly about the abuse she endured — all while building a stellar career that’s earned her three Primetime Emmy nominations for one of the world’s most popular series.

Clothes inside out
No child should ever have to endure abuse, and it’s absolutely horrific that it still happens all over the world.

The successful star we’re talking about today was abused by a neighbor at just 4 years old — a devastating crime that left a lasting impact.

by TaboolaSponsored Links
You May Like
Gold Is Surging in 2025 — Smart Traders Are Already In
IC Markets
Yet, she didn’t speak about it publicly until 2024.

“My first experience was when I was about 4 years old,” she said during an episode of The Jamie Kern Lima Show. “By a neighbor in in our cul-de-sac. I’ve actually never said that out loud to anybody in an interview before.”

She recalled the moment she told her mother about what happened after coming home as a child with her clothes inside out. Her mom “freaked out,” and that’s when the family decided to move. “I guess my mom did do what she could,” she admitted, fighting back tears. “She just wanted to move and leave. She didn’t want to deal with it. She didn’t want to talk about it, but she did want to get us out.”

Highlighting that she wasn’t the only family member to go through similar trauma, she reflected, “That was a very, very confusing time because obviously growing up in the Mormon culture, everything needs to be perfect. Everybody needs to put on the shiny, ‘We’ve-got-our-stuff-together.’ And there was not a lot of repercussion for what had happened. So that was a very challenging thing to come to terms with, that nobody did anything.”

Raised in a Mormon household
She was born in Orem, Utah, the youngest of five siblings in a Mormon household.

Her parents, Bruce and Marianne, raised the family in a politically active environment — her father served twice as chairman of the Utah Republican Party and ran for Utah’s 2nd congressional district in 2023.

Another defining theme in the family was dancing.

Today, this 37-year-old is celebrated for her beauty and talent and has achieved remarkable success. But her journey to stardom wasn’t easy — she battled anxiety and depression as a child, faced harsh bullying in high school, and has even dealt with body-shaming in recent years.

Instagram
”I don’t think a lot of people would know that about me because I come off as sunshine and happiness and positivity,” she once said.

Coming from a family of professional dancers, she naturally followed in their footsteps, starting competitive dance at just 9 years old, with many spotting her talent early on.

Continue reading…