“Modern Family” star Sarah Hyland is opening up about her past abusive relationship.
The 33-year-old actress delivered an emotional speech at the Power of Women Honors in Los Angeles on Oct. 24, where she was accepting Variety’s very first Courage Award.
“October is domestic violence awareness month, and while it is not the easiest topic to talk about, it is of the utmost importance that we do,” she said before diving into her own experience with it.
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“I have been open about my experiences as a survivor, and I want to support others in the way that Julie and all of my close ones have done for me,” she continued.
@varietymagazine Honoree Sarah Hyland poses for photos at Variety Power of Women presented by @LifetimeTV ✨
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Hyland was referring to her “Modern Family” co-star and TV mom, Julie Bowen, who played a pivotal role in helping her out the abusive relationship.
That relationship came to an end in 2014 when Hyland was granted a restraining order against her abuser after she accused him of verbal and physical abuse, according to People.
Things reportedly got so bad that she called Bowen one day to help her out of the relationship, which she did.
Bowen gives emotional speech of her own
Not only was Bowen in attendance to support Hyland as she accepted her award, but she was the one who presented her with the award.
In her introduction speech, Bowen praised Hyland for having the courage to ask for help.
“Courage because getting out of her situation puts Sarah at risk of further physical, psychological and emotional abuse,” she said. “And courage because being a beautiful and successful actress brings a spotlight with it.”
Bowen described her co-star as someone she “rarely worried about” outside of her health concerns, referring to her two kidney transplants in 2012 and 2017.
But Hyland’s call in 2014 left her “stunned.”
“My tiny dynamo, my little show biz pro, my force of nature superstar was being victimized,” she added.
Bowen declined to go into any more details because “abusers love attention,” saying he “will not get any more of my time.”
Hyland reveals what courage means to her
It was an extremely emotional night for Hyland, who broke down in tears multiple times.
Her speech also included a special shoutout to her birth mom and dog, Barkley.
“There was a time where the only being that I could trust with my true feelings, and felt the safest with, was with my dog,” she said. “He got me through the worst years of my life and I know I wouldn’t have been able to make it out without him.
You can watch her full speech below:
@varietymagazine Sarah Hyland delivers an emotional speech while accepting the inaugural Variety Courage Award presented by Purina
♬ original sound – Variety – Variety
As for what the word “courage” means to her, it’s something she still thinks about to this day.
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“It takes courage to wake up every morning and face the world knowing that people may have no idea what you are going through,” she said, adding that it’s “all too easy to feel isolated and misunderstood, no matter how strong you are.”