Disney Star Debby Ryan Abused By Former Boyfriend — Why She’s Going Public With The Story Now


Forget Boyhood, Debby Ryan is one of the Disney stars found early enough in her teen years to grow to adulthood in front of viewers. Debby first began appearing on the channel when she was 15-years-old in the sequel to The Suite Life of Zach and Cody. Ryan’s connection with a young generation of viewers, and especially young female viewers, makes a recent confession that she has suffered from an abusive relationship particularly hard-hitting.

Debby made the the confession that she was abused while recently appearing on Fox411. The Disney star talked openly about how young women are often unaware of what is normal and abusive in a relationship like Ryan herself, which often leads them to become trapped in even more violent situations when it’s already too late to leave.

“[We are all] taught that there are signs that your [in] relationship, something is wrong. I got to a point of being grabbed, being locked out of rooms, being screamed at, having things thrown at me, cussed at, begged for forgiveness, cried to, all while trying to keep it together and justifying this relationship. And that was the point that I realized maybe there was a red flag. What was weird was that I didn’t realize all the unhealthy things — the digital abuse, him demanding my phone passwords, the mental abuse, the manipulation, the emotional abuse.”

Debby’s message is especially poignant because of the position of power that she has as both a famous and financially successful young woman. Outsiders were often unaware that the Disney star was being abused, until close friends finally began to question the invasive behavior of Ryan’s now ex-boyfriend.

“I don’t think I thought that [I wasn’t calling the shots] either. I felt like because I had things in control over my career, I probably had things in control in all facets, which means I probably wanted this. I probably wanted someone to fight for me and to get jealous and crazy. And you look at these sorts of things and you say, ‘Not normal behaviors,’ but it’s interesting because you can look up warning signs and try to figure it out but ultimately… if it weren’t for the people in my life that helped get and keep this person out of my life.”

Debby’s revelations are part of her current campaign against domestic violence with cosmetics company Mary Kay. One of the Disney star’s goals to help abuse victims is spreading the word about a a texting hotline that will allow women questioning if they are trapped in an abusive relationship to get help simply by texting the phrase “love is” to the number 22522, according to a company press release.

“It’s horrifying to know how many young people deal with abusive relationships and how much goes unmentioned. I know firsthand how alone you can feel when you’re being broken down in a relationship and forced to defend it or stay silent. Just being able to send a text message is anonymous and safe. Mary Kay and I believe that everyone deserves a safe, healthy relationship that makes you stronger and better and I want to make sure people know how to get the help they need.”

How do you think a Disney star like Debby Ryan sharing her abuse story will help young women?

[Image via Mark Davis/Getty Images]

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