Taylor Armstrong: Reality TV Saved My Life On 'The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills'
Taylor Armstrong believes she wouldn't be alive today if it weren't for the spotlight of reality television.
In the KTLA video below, Armstrong reveals that she may have subconsciously signed up for Bravo's 'The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' in order to escape what she claims was a wildly abusive marriage with her late husband, Russell Armstrong.
While Taylor Armstrong is known by many Bravo loyalists for starring in the network's massively successful 'Housewives' franchise, even those who don't watch reality (or as some call it 'unscripted') television, started tuning in to her life after her husband committed suicide.
In late July, just weeks before Russell Armstrong took his life, Taylor Armstrong came forward with serious claims of physical and emotional abuse. According to People, Russell denied some of it but said, "Did I push her? Yes, maybe things happened in the heat of the moment, but it was during a time in our lives that was not characteristic of who we were. This show has literally pushed us to the limit."
After Russell's suicide, Taylor came forward with more details about their physically abusive relationship. In September, The New York Post ran shocking photos of Armstrong with a serious black eye injury that required plastic surgery to repair. In the months since her husband's death, Taylor Armstrong has used her platform to speak out about abuse and attempt to help women in situations similar to hers. Armstrong's daughter accompanied her to the KTLA studio this morning, and she expressed to the anchors just how lucky she feels that both of them are here today.
Need help? In the U.S., call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) for the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
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First Posted: 10/17/11 04:05 PM ET Updated: 12/17/11 05:12 AM ET