Sarah Drew Addresses Online Trolls Who Called Her ‘Ugly’

Sarah Drew, known for her role in "Grey’s Anatomy," has opened up about the negative impact of online trolls during her first significant acting job on "Everwood." Now 44, she faced harsh criticisms about her looks when she played shy bookworm Hannah in the WB family drama. Although social media was not as dominant then, she still received hurtful comments online, US Weekly reported.

On the "Broad Ideas" podcast, hosted by Rachel Bilson and Olivia Allen, Drew stated, "Even though there was no social media yet, there were forums and message boards." She described these experiences as deeply damaging. "It was the worst thing ever. I portrayed the ugly, wallflower best friend of Emily VanCamp. I wore glasses, had frizzy hair, and no makeup." She felt labeled as the "ugly one – the ugly duckling."

Despite occasionally receiving positive feedback, Drew emphasized how the negative comments stuck with her. She recalled specific insults word for word, like, "Sarah Drew is so ugly that the television cracks every time she steps in front of it." This criticism affected her significantly and left emotional scars.

Drew had a background in voice acting as Stacy in the MTV animation "Daria" before "Everwood." However, facing scrutiny for her appearance shocked her. "I grew up never considering if I was pretty," she explained. "My mom was a scientist, so makeup and fashion were never discussed. Suddenly, I wondered, ‘Am I an ugly person?’"

Currently starring in the Hallmark series "Mistletoe Murders." Drew is a mother of two with her husband, Dr. Peter Lanfer. Their son Micah is 12, and their daughter Hannah, named after Drew's "Everwood" character, is 9 years old. Drew has worries about the toll social media can take on young people today. "Think about our girls," she urged, reflecting on the damaging effects such experiences might have on children growing up in the digital age.

When discussing her exit from "Grey’s Anatomy," Drew expressed mixed feelings. She described her role as April Kepner as a high point in her life, where friendships blossomed and her personal milestones happened. "I lived a beautiful life as April Kepner for nine years," she told Us Weekly. "I’m so grateful for the friendships and the incredible platform I developed there."

Moreover, she acknowledged a sense of growth following her departure. "I wouldn’t have left if I could've stayed, but now I am directing, producing, and writing," she noted, emphasizing how those experiences led to new opportunities. "It was a great gift, actually, even though it was hard at the time."

Earlier, SSP reported that Kourtney Kardashian embraced a romantic aesthetic à la Sophia Loren.