The tormented childhood behind this star’s glittering career

June 6, 2026 by admin

Raised in a Mormon household

She was born in Orem, Utah, the youngest of five siblings in a Mormon household.

Her parents, Bruce and Marianne, raised the family in a politically active environment — her father served twice as chairman of the Utah Republican Party and ran for Utah’s 2nd congressional district in 2023.

Another defining theme in the family was dancing.

Today, this 37-year-old is celebrated for her beauty and talent and has achieved remarkable success. But her journey to stardom wasn’t easy — she battled anxiety and depression as a child, faced harsh bullying in high school, and has even dealt with body-shaming in recent years.

”I don’t think a lot of people would know that about me because I come off as sunshine and happiness and positivity,” she once said.

Coming from a family of professional dancers, she naturally followed in their footsteps, starting competitive dance at just 9 years old, with many spotting her talent early on.

But her world was shaken when she was 10. Her parents went through a bitter divorce, and she was sent across the Atlantic to live with family friends in London. The move was tied to her enrollment at the prestigious Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts.

Left home at 10

Growing up in Europe forced her to mature quickly. Leaving home each morning at 6:45, she navigated the subway alone to get to school.