Jenna Dewan felt "blindsided" when Channing Tatum began dating Jessie J
The 'Step Up' actress - who is expecting her first child with boyfriend Steve Kazee - filed for divorce from the 'Magic Mike' actor in October 2018, citing irreconcilable differences, and was later shocked to learn online that he'd moved on with the singer
21 October 2019
She revealed: "I was learning things about my ex most people wouldn't have to face-and over the internet, as it was happening.
"There I was, on a plane, alone, finding out about his new relationship. I felt blindsided. Choosing grace as I learned everything about my personal situation along with the rest of the world was really difficult
"It was quite a challenge to remain graceful; to say the least. That's when your real character comes out. Instead of reacting the way I wanted to...I asked myself this: How do I choose grace in this moment? Had I not been practicing this way of life beforehand, I definitely wouldn't have handled this news very gracefully."
The 38-year-old star - who has six-year-old daughter Everly - with Channing - felt like she'd been hit by a "tumbling avalanche" in the wake of her marriage ending and admitted it was a very "testing" time.
Writing in her new book, 'Gracefully You: Finding Beauty and Balance in the Everyday', she recalled: "In the beginning of my separation, it felt as though I were in a dark closet, desperately trying to find the light or the way out. I was in a state of shock.
"One week I'd be doing really well and the next I was slammed with a whole new slew of emotions.
"The rumour mill was churning out story after story. There were many times I hid under the covers, wondering what was next.
"The pain hit me like a tumbling avalanche. I was completely overcome with fear and sadness. It took many moments of sitting alone with my grief to force me into surrendering to my roller coaster of a situation.
"The separation tested me in ways I hadn't thought possible. I started to wonder if everything I believed in and always talked about was real. Could anyone or anything ever be trusted?"
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