Onscreen, Dallas and 90210 star AnnaLynne McCord radiates pure confidence. But before she found Hollywood success, she survived a
strict, violent upbringing and a sexual assault by a close friend. Now she's speaking out to help other women who don't have a voice.
When I was on 90210 a few years ago, the character I played, Naomi, was raped by someone she knew. I welcomed the story line, thinking it was important for viewers. I memorized my lines and rehearsed the scenes. I felt ready to go. Then when the cameras were rolling on an intense scene — a fight with an unsupportive friend after the assault — I broke down, sobbing uncontrollably. My castmates thought I had done a great job playing the part. They had no idea that I had actually been sexually assaulted by someone I knew in real life.
