Alison Sudol, the former partner of Stranger Things star David Harbour, has shared candid details about what she describes as a bullying relationship, breaking her silence in the wake of Lily Allen's revealing new album.
The Social Media Revelation
In an emotional social media post last week, the Fantastic Beasts actress posted a close-up photo of herself looking defeated, taken in June 2019 during what she described as the crumbling tail end of a relationship. According to US Weekly, Sudol and Harbour split in July 2019 after being first linked in January 2018.
"I was a kind of sad that drifted in and out of focus," Sudol wrote about that period. "I think I knew that something was wrong, suspected I wasn't ok, but I was so confused, tangled up in a narrative that wasn't mine but was so loud I couldn't hear beyond it."
Calling Out the Bullying Behaviour
The actress didn't name Harbour directly but heavily implied he was the ex she referred to as a "bully." She explained that bullies "know how to win" and "tie your hands together and convince you you've done it to yourself."
Sudol described feeling "defeated, deflated, wilted and sad" in the relationship, adding that bullies use tactics of "railroading you and hitting you with one egregious thing after the next." She clarified that she wasn't passive in the situation, stating: "I did fight in that situation. I didn't just lie down. I was sparring with a person who moves through the world with that energy and I don't."
Rebuilding and Finding Strength
Since ending the relationship six years ago, Sudol has completely rebuilt her life. She's now in a healthy relationship with Trespasses actor Tom Cullen, with whom she shares two children aged four and two.
"I've spent the last 6 years being very careful of who I keep around me," she revealed. "I've rebuilt my sense of self, learned how to love + be loved in a healthy, kind relationship. No arrows in backs. No standing on heads. Just folding laundry together laughing."
The timing of Sudol's revelations comes as Harbour's ex-wife Lily Allen released her album West End Girl, which contains shocking allegations about their marriage. Allen accused the actor of cheating, lying and gaslighting, and described discovering texts with costume designer Natalie Tippet that violated their open marriage arrangement.
In a show of solidarity, Sudol has been supporting Allen on social media, with the singer returning the favour by liking Sudol's emotional post. The revelations have emerged just as Harbour was preparing for the premiere of the final Stranger Things series, where he plays beloved character Jim Hopper.
