Shailene Woodley Opens Up About "Toxic Situation" and Journey Back from Depression
In a recent interview with Outside magazine, actress Shailene Woodley touched upon her past relationship with NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers, offering a glimpse into the pain and healing she experienced during a tumultuous period in her life.
Woodley, known for her roles in films like "Divergent," revealed that she rarely discusses her time with Rodgers because, as she poignantly stated, “I haven’t shared much about my relationship with Aaron because it always makes me cry. It was not right. But it was beautiful.”
The actress, 33, and Rodgers, 41, called off their engagement in February 2022, after a whirlwind romance that began just over a year prior. Their relationship ended for good in April of that same year, leaving Woodley in a state of deep emotional turmoil.
“I had a really awful, traumatic thing happen in early 2022," Woodley shared. While she chose not to delve into specifics, she painted a picture of immense personal challenge. “I felt like I lost my soul, my self, my happiness, my joy. I really understood depression and anxiety and, like, complete soul detachment.”
Reflecting on the relationship’s breakdown, Woodley acknowledged that she stayed in a situation she now sees as "toxic," driven by profound empathy for her partner.
“Empathy kind of kept me in this loop of feeling everything for everyone," she confided.
[Image of Shailene Woodley at a 2024 event in New York City]
Woodley’s depression, she explained, was so profound that she felt utterly disconnected from the world around her. Describing her lowest point, she said, "I knew I was depressed when I looked at a tree and felt nothing. That was the lowest low of my life.” Fortunately, she found unwavering support in her stylist, Kris Zero.
Zero, Woodley revealed, became a lifeline, pulling her out of bed each morning with blasts of music and a relentless stream of activities designed to reconnect her with life. Whether it was surfing, cleaning horse stables, or picking up trash on hikes, Zero refused to let Woodley succumb to despair.
"Sometimes I was so angry at her," Woodley admitted. "But then we’d go surf, and for ten minutes that day I thought life could be OK again."
Woodley credits these small triumphs, orchestrated by Zero’s unwavering friendship, with helping her emerge from the darkness of depression.
While both Woodley and Rodgers are believed to be single currently, Woodley shared a glimpse into her hopes for the future. “One of my biggest dreams is to be a mom," she said.
[Image of Shailene Woodley and Aaron Rodgers at Disneyland]
[Image of Aaron Rodgers and Shailene Woodley together]
[Image of Aaron Rodgers leaving the field after a game.]
