Actress Sarah Shahi Went to a Women’s Shelter in the Dead of Night at Age 5: ‘It Saved My Life’
By News
Published 5 years ago on
July 24, 2019
Share
[aggregation-styles]
People
People
When it comes to teaching her three children the importance of resilience, Sarah Shahi has quite the experience.
In an exclusive essay in this week’s issue of PEOPLE, the actress, who is best known for her roles in television shows like The L Word, Fairly Legal and most recently her role on Showtime’s City on a Hill, opens up about her childhood growing up in Texas as the daughter of immigrants from Iran, and her exposure to addiction from a young age.
“One night, when I was about 5, my father was drunk and passed out, and I remember my mom dragging me out of bed in the middle of the night,” she writes. “‘We have to leave. We have to leave now,’ she whispered. She was scared. I didn’t pack anything; I just had my pajamas. It was January, and it was cold as we headed to a women’s shelter in nearby Arlington, Texas. That shelter helped keep my mother and me safe and alive—and I now feel a sense of responsibility to share my story and highlight the necessity of such places.”
In an exclusive essay in this week’s issue of PEOPLE, the actress, who is best known for her roles in television shows like The L Word, Fairly Legal and most recently her role on Showtime’s City on a Hill, opens up about her childhood growing up in Texas as the daughter of immigrants from Iran, and her exposure to addiction from a young age.
“One night, when I was about 5, my father was drunk and passed out, and I remember my mom dragging me out of bed in the middle of the night,” she writes. “‘We have to leave. We have to leave now,’ she whispered. She was scared. I didn’t pack anything; I just had my pajamas. It was January, and it was cold as we headed to a women’s shelter in nearby Arlington, Texas. That shelter helped keep my mother and me safe and alive—and I now feel a sense of responsibility to share my story and highlight the necessity of such places.”
By Breanne L. Heldman & Christina Dugan | 17 July 2019
RELATED TOPICS:
Senate Dismissed Two Articles of Impeachment, Ending Trial on Mayorkas
Politics /
13 hours ago
Netanyahu Dismisses Calls for Restraint, Says Israel Will Decide Iran Attack Response
World /
13 hours ago
Biden Pledges to Block Japanese Takeover of US Steel and Promises Tariffs on Chinese Steel
Politics /
14 hours ago
Don Arax Talks About His New Football Job at Visalia’s Central Valley Christian
Latest /
14 hours ago
Career-High Strike Outs for Ryan Weathers as Marlins Best Giants 6-3
Sports /
16 hours ago
LeBron’s Lakers Top Pelicans in Play-in, Set up Playoff Rematch With Nuggets
Sports /
16 hours ago
Storm Dumps Record Rain and Floods Dubai’s Airport
Weather /
16 hours ago
Biden Backs House’s Aid Package for Ukraine, Israel While Speaker Johnson Battles to Retain Position
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden said Wednesday that he strongly supports a proposal from House Speaker Mike Johnson to provide aid to Ukrai...
Politics /
10 hours ago
Categories
Latest
Videos
Politics /
10 hours ago
Biden Backs House’s Aid Package for Ukraine, Israel While Speaker Johnson Battles to Retain Position
Politics /
13 hours ago
Senate Dismissed Two Articles of Impeachment, Ending Trial on Mayorkas
World /
13 hours ago
Netanyahu Dismisses Calls for Restraint, Says Israel Will Decide Iran Attack Response
Politics /
14 hours ago
Biden Pledges to Block Japanese Takeover of US Steel and Promises Tariffs on Chinese Steel
Cannabis /
6 days ago