Julianne Hough Says Childhood Abuse ‘Sucked the Life Out’ of Her

Julianne Hough is on the mend following a shocking revelation that she was the victim of mental and physical abuse as a young girl. But the singer admits that even as an adult, the road to recovery is difficult for someone living with the memories of such destructive behavior.

"I've been through certain things that have sucked the life out of me ... and just the light about me was gone," Hough says of her mental state as a 10-year-old dancer, who was at the time living in London and away from her family (quote via People). "I was just a dark person."

Earlier this week, Hough went public with the traumatic childhood events, sharing, “I was 10 years old looking like I was 28, being a very sensual dancer. I was a tormented little kid who had to put on this sexy façade because that was my job and my life. But my heart was the same, and I was this innocent little girl. I wanted so much love.”

“I was abused, mentally, physically, everything," the 'That Song in My Head' singer adds.

Hough's forgiving nature has allowed her to grow from the situation, and has also helped her prepare for her role as an actress in 'Safe Haven,' a movie based on the book by Nicholas Spark.

"Being Katie, I relate a lot to her," the country singer says of her portrayal of Katie Feldman, a woman who survives a relationship with an abusive ex-boyfriend. "The fact that she had been in one situation that just sucked the life out of her, and it was a bad situation, and she needed to change and move on and kind of find her own again. And through that you find love and everything."

'Safe Haven' is expected to arrive in theaters next month.