Melissa Benoist revealed she is a "survivor of domestic violence" in an emotional video that she posted on social media. The actor stopped short of naming the partner in question who allegedly abused her, but described him as "charming, funny, manipulative, devious" and also as being younger than she is. "I am a survivor of domestic violence, which is something I never thought I would say, let alone be broadcasting into the ether," Benoist begins in the video.

She went on to add that the violence began around five months into the relationship, and described several incidents during which the perpetrator was violent and abusive towards her. The first time it happened, the man threw a smoothie at her face. During another incident, her partner threw an iPhone at her face, breaking her nose and almost rupturing her eyeball.