Anna Kendrick Opens Up About Her Seven-Year Struggle in an Abusive Relationship

Academy Award-nominated actress Anna Kendrick recently revealed the painful details of a seven-year abusive relationship during an emotional appearance on the Call Her Daddy podcast. Kendrick, known for her roles in Pitch Perfect and Up in the Air, shared the complexities of recognizing and dealing with the abuse she endured, shedding light on the internal battles she faced.

“I was, like, reading all the articles and going, ‘This doesn’t look … like, some of it looks like how they’re describing it, but not completely,’” Kendrick confessed, reflecting on the difficulty of identifying the abuse she was experiencing. She noted that the patterns didn’t align with traditional depictions of abusive relationships, making it harder for her to recognize what was happening.

Kendrick explained that the shift in her relationship was sudden and disorienting. “It was like an overnight switch… that went on for about a year. So it didn’t follow that more traditional, like, it’s like a frog in boiling water thing where it started slow.” The abrupt change left her confused and searching for answers.

Initially, Kendrick believed she was to blame for the issues in the relationship, a common response among abuse survivors. “It came out of absolutely nowhere but was built on this foundation of I had so much love and trust for that person, so I thought it had to be me,” she said. This self-doubt persisted for some time, as she grappled with the possibility that she was the one at fault, told The Sydney Morning Herald.

Her internal struggle was compounded by a lingering sense of responsibility. “Like, if one of us is crazy, it must be me. So it was very, very difficult to actually go, ‘No, I think this is him. I think this is his stuff,’” she admitted. It took time for Kendrick to recognize that the manipulation and emotional turmoil were not her fault.

Even Kendrick’s therapist initially failed to see the manipulation. “I’ve had several sessions with him in the last several years where he’s apologized to me because I think he realized what was going on, like, right toward the end,” Kendrick shared, indicating that even those meant to provide guidance were misled by her ex-partner’s behavior.

Kendrick’s candid account of her experience highlights the often-hidden struggles of those in abusive relationships, particularly when the abuse does not fit the typical patterns seen in many portrayals. Her journey from self-doubt to self-awareness serves as a reminder of the complexities of emotional abuse and the importance of trusting oneself in recognizing unhealthy dynamics.

By speaking openly about her experience, Kendrick joins the growing number of public figures using their platforms to raise awareness about emotional abuse, helping others to recognize the signs and encouraging them to seek support.