Overview

• Witherspoon, 49, discussed the experience on The New York Times’ The Interview podcast released Saturday, saying it took time to “reconstitute” herself after leaving the relationship.
• She said her “spirit had been diminished” by believing hurtful statements from her ex and that she “had to rewire” her brain to recover.
• Without naming the former partner, she noted she felt “really insecure” for a long period and reflected that, when younger, she wasn’t emotionally mature enough to see unhealthy dynamics.
• She described the strain of public life on healing and parenting, calling constant scrutiny dehumanizing and saying it complicates efforts to protect her children.
• Coverage reiterates her 2018 disclosure of psychological and verbal abuse and reports she is currently dating German financier Oliver Haarmann.