In a candid conversation on Jesse Tyler Ferguson’s podcast “Dinner’s on Me,” Mandy Moore opened up about her past marriage to musician Ryan Adams, shedding light on the toxic dynamics she endured and the misconceptions she held about relationships.

Reflecting on her tumultuous journey, Moore expressed disbelief at the person she once was during her marriage to Adams, which began in 2009 and ended in 2015, finalized with a divorce in 2016. Recounting her youthful naivete, Moore confessed to tying the knot at the tender age of 24, a decision coinciding with her parents’ own separation after three decades together.

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Moore admitted to embracing a pervasive myth about marriage—that it inherently entailed hardship. “I went into it fully aware and was like, ‘This is my forever person, this is our forever life,'” she shared. Despite grappling with mounting challenges, Moore initially attributed the struggles to the normal ebb and flow of married life, likening it to weathering storms to uncover eventual joy.

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However, as the trials persisted, Moore reached a critical realization: marriage shouldn’t be synonymous with perpetual suffering. “It’s not supposed to be this hard. It’s not supposed to feel this bad,” she emphasized. The toll of enduring mistreatment left Moore feeling hollow and isolated, perpetuating a cycle of self-diminishment that began in her formative years and persisted through her unhealthy relationship with Adams.

Moore’s journey serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of recognizing and confronting toxic dynamics within relationships. Her story underscores the dangers of internalizing damaging beliefs about love and marriage, urging individuals to prioritize their well-being and refuse to settle for anything less than genuine respect and mutual support.

In sharing her experiences, Mandy Moore adds her voice to a chorus of survivors who courageously speak out against toxic relationships, offering hope and validation to those navigating similar struggles. Her journey towards self-discovery and empowerment stands as a beacon of resilience, inspiring others to reclaim their agency and pursue relationships founded on mutual respect and unconditional love.