Actress AnnaLynne McCord has applauded Lady Gaga and Kesha for "saving" so many victims by talking openly about rape.
Kesha is currently embroiled in a legal battle with music producer and mentor Dr. Luke after accusing him of emotionally and sexually assaulting her, and as she pursues victory in court, Lady Gaga, another alleged victim, has stepped up as a very public supporter.
In 2014, AnnaLynne also went public about her rape ordeal at the hands of a male friend when she was 18, and she is beyond inspired by women who are vocal about sex attacks.
"You never know who you might be saving or inspiring by talking," she tells People magazine. "To have these stars share their stories, it is so powerful to a survivor who might feel like nobody knows what they are feeling, who feels alone."
At the 88th Academy Awards in February (16), Lady Gaga was joined onstage by 50 rape survivors as she performed haunting Oscar-nominated song Til It Happens to You, which was written by the Poker Face star and Diane Warren for the documentary The Hunting Ground, which tackled college rape in America.
AnnaLynne "humbly thanks" Gaga, Kesha and countless other female celebrities for bravely coming forward with their stories of survival.
"Thank you to every person who says, 'I don't care if you judge me or shame me, but this is my story and this is who I am,'" she shares. "I’m not defined by this, but I will not stand by and allow it to be what brings me down."
The 90210 star urges people to speak out if they have been raped or molested, as opening up about the trauma she experienced continues to help her move past the ordeal. There is also a huge community of support the star never thought existed while she suffered in silence.
"I've received thousands of emails from survivors after sharing my story, and I try to respond to every single one," she says. "To know the impact (my story) can have on these women and men has helped to solidify my own healing process and my passion for speaking out as much as I possibly can on this topic."
"I call it being bonded through tragedy," she notes of talking with other sexual assault survivors. "It's something about the way the other person gets you, and you get it, and the connection is just there. Like, I know where you're at and I know where you've been. There's never any judgment and I feel acceptance and love with male and female survivors."
