Star says beatings stemmed from ‘toxic relationship.’
Star says beatings stemmed from ‘toxic relationship.’
BERLIN — A star from a German TV talent competition has shared disturbing images of her bruised body and face, which she says resulted from a beating by her ex-boyfriend.
Aline Bachmann, 27, came into the public eye after participating in “Deutschland Sucht den Superstar” in 2013. (The show is the German version of “American Idol” and Britain’s “Pop Idol.”)
Bachmann subsequently underwent a series of surgeries that effectively halved her weight, from 200 kilos (roughly 440 pounds) during her TV appearances, to about 80 kilos (175 pounds) now.
She also became a champion against body-shaming in Germany.
Bachmann shared pictures on social media of the excess skin from those surgeries, while strolling in Berlin’s famed Anderplatz public square. She has since had surgery to remove that excess.
But now, Bachmann has become even more candid. She shared photos of her battered and bruised body, which she says resulted from domestic abuse.
Bachmann published her hospital diagnosis, along with the images on Instagram — where she has over 400,000 followers — detailing skull contusions, choking trauma, concussion and lower leg contusions.
“I’ve wanted to talk about it for a long time, but couldn’t because I’m so ashamed of myself!,” she wrote. “Unfortunately, love makes you blind! Toxic relationships are dangerous!
“In the beginning, they allow you everything and gradually they take away your freedom and make you feel that you can no longer do without them.”
Her allegations were widely reported in German media, which did not name her ex-boyfriend or include any comment from him.
Unfortunately, Bachmann’s experience is an ongoing social crisis.
Domestic abuse is on the rise in Germany, with one woman killed every three days, according to the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA).
Globally, 35% of women have experienced physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence, or sexual violence by a non-partner, according to statistics from UN Women. (The United Nations entity is dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women.)
(Edited by Matthew B Hall and Fern Siegel)
