Back in February 2019, Mandy Moore alleged that her ex-husband, musician Ryan Adams, had been psychologically and emotionally abusive towards her when they were together from 2009 to 2016. More than a month later, she’s now opening up about what it was like to finally be able to talk about that part of her life — and what she’s learned from the situation. While talking to Us Weekly at PaleyFest on Sunday, March 24, the This Is Us actress weighed in on how being honest and forthcoming about the situation has really changed her perspective.

“So many women reached out to me, echoing … that the idea that psychological and emotional is often swept under the rug, or not addressed or not talked about, or not considered in the same category of just general abuse,” Mandy, 34, told Us. “I’ve just been really emboldened by the support that, I think, myself and the other women that have spoken out in this particular situation have received. It’s really heartening.”

And knowing that she can be an example for other women who may now come forward was an eye-opener, too. “I had no idea [how much it goes unmentioned],” she said. “[It’s] heartening to know that other women can look to it as an example as well. Like, ‘You’re not alone. You’re seen. You’re heard. You’re acknowledged. It’s real. And I’m so sorry.'”

The 2012 MusiCares Person Of The Year Gala Honoring Paul McCartney - Backstage And Audience
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In an exposé published by The New York Times on February 13, the singer shared her story about how her husband allegedly hijacked her music career. “Music was a point of control for him,” she said at the time. He booked studio time for her only to give that time to another artist. They wrote songs together for her music that he would then neglect to have them record. And he was condescending about her talents to boot.

“He would always tell me, ‘You’re not a real musician, because you don’t play an instrument,'” she continued. “His controlling behavior essentially did block my ability to make new connections in the industry during a very pivotal and potentially lucrative time — my entire mid-to-late 20s.” But now that she’s got her life back — and the newly discovered support of women who’ve gone through similar experiences — she’s taking control. “I want to make music,” she told the Times. “I’m not going to let Ryan stop me.”

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