Julianne Hough Reveals Mental And Physical Abuse As A Child

Julianne Hough has revealed that she was abused as a child while studying at the Italia Conti Academy of the Arts in London. Hough, 24, left her family in Utah when she was 10 to study alongside her brother, Derek, and soon her experience took a dark turn. "I was 10 years old looking like I was 28, being a very sensual dancer," Hough told the Feb. issue of Cosmopolitan. “While I was in London, I was abused, mentally, physically, everything." Hough did not specify who committed the abuse. “I'm a very forgiving person, and I don't want to hurt anybody. What's past is past."

Hough’s past came rushing back while filming Safe Haven, in which she plays a woman who has fled an abusive relationship and ends up meeting a widower (Josh Duhamel). "I went from bawling to containing to laughing to crying again,” People reports. "Josh was crying. I think it was the most therapeutic moment of my life."

Hough’s full interview with Cosmo will be available on Jan. 8, while Safe Haven, adapted from the Nicholas Sparks novel and directed by Lasse Hallström (The Cider House Rules, Dear John, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen) hits theaters Feb. 14.