Shailene Woodley recalls being in open relationships, reveals she had an abusive partner and confirms split from Ben Volavola in candid chat
Shailene Woodley spoke candidly about her love life as she revealed how working on her mental health has helped build clarity in her relationships.
Speaking to The New York Times, the 28-year-old actress admitted that she had been the victim of an abusive relationship in her teenage years, and also discussed her experiences in open relationships.
Shailene also confirmed she has split from rugby player Ben Volavolo, who she began dating in October 2017.
Candid: Shailene Woodley spoke candidly about her love life as she revealed how working on her mental health has helped build clarity in her relationships
The BAFTA nominee discussed being in open relationships as she revealed that she doesn't think people should have to follow society's 'rules' about love.
Discussing her new role in Endings, Beginnings, in which she plays a woman stuck in a complicated love triangle, she revealed that she herself is more open-minded.
Shailene explained: 'I’m someone who has experienced both an open relationship and a deeply monogamous relationship in my life, and I think we’re in a day and age where there should be no rules except for the ones designed by two people in a partnership — or three people, whatever floats your boat!
She continued: 'But there has to be a level of responsibility in any relationship dynamic, and that responsibility is simply honesty and communication and trust.
'Apart from that, it’s really none of our business what people choose to do with their lives.'
It's over: Shailene also confirmed she has split from rugby player Ben Volavolo, who she began dating in October 2017 (pictured in January 2018)
The Divergent star went on to recall how being in an abusive relationship earlier in life lead to losing some of her emotional 'strength'.
She explained: 'In my late teens, I had a strong idea of my identity and the meaning of my life, but then I went through an abusive relationship. That combined with, honestly, the commercial success I had in this industry began to wear on my strength.'
Shailene added that she has spent her recent years working on her mental health, which has lead to her feeling 'grounded, rooted and clear' not just in her relationships, but career and self worth.
No rules: The BAFTA nominee discussed being in open relationships as she revealed that she doesn't think people should have to follow society's 'rules' about love
Now, Shailene is 'very much single', and stated she had been for 'a while', confirming the end of her relationship with Australian-born Fijian Ben.
The couple reportedly met when Shailene was filming Adrift in Fiji - where Ben has family as his mother and father are both from the island country.
Shailene was previously romantically linked to Theo James and musician Nahko Bear, but always maintained that having a boyfriend is not something she's interested in.
Single: Now, Shailene is 'very much single', and stated she had been for 'a while', confirming the end of her relationship with Australian-born Fijian Ben (pictured in May 2018)
The actress can next be seen on screens in Endings, Beginnings, in which she plays unlucky-in-love Daphne, who is dealing with a series of life events, over a year's time, that bring in feelings of love and heartbreak.
She subsequently meets two suitors, Jack (Jamie Dornan) and Frank (Sebastian Stan), who are distinctly different from one another but both share a chemistry with her.
Endings, Beginnings had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2019 and will be released digitally on April 17, 2020.
For help and support with abusive relationships in the US please contact The National Domestic Violence Hotline on 1-800-799-7233
Readers in the UK can freephone the 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline 0808 2000 247.
Triangle: Shailene can next be seen in Endings, Beginnings, in which she plays unlucky-in-love Daphne who is stuck in a love triangle with Jack (Jamie Dornan) and Frank (Sebastian Stan)
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