Sarah Drew recalls being 'badly' hurt over 'ugly' comments on social media for not using cosmetics

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Sarah Drew, best known for her role as April Kepner on 'Grey’s Anatomy', opened up about the harsh criticism she faced during her first major acting role in 'Everwood'.

Although social media wasn’t as widespread then, Drew said she encountered cruel remarks online that left a lasting impact on her.

Sarah Drew on being a victim of social media trolling during 'Everwood'

Sarah Drew, who played shy bookworm Hannah Rogers in 'Everwood', talked about the pain caused by the negative comments targeting her appearance. 

“Everwood was my first show ever, and I got addicted,” Drew shared on 'Broad Ideas' podcast, recalling how forums were filled with comments targeting her looks when social media wasn't advanced. 

“It’s the worst thing ever. It was so bad for me. I came on to play the ugly wallflower best friend of Emily VanCamp. I had glasses and frizzy hair and not a stitch of makeup. I was the ugly one, the ugly duckling,” she said according to US Weekly.

Despite people taking positive too, Drew said that negative comments stood out the most.

“Sarah Drew is so ugly that the television cracks every time she steps in front of it," she recalled a comment, adding, “It hurt so badly."

Sarah Drew recalls questioning her self-worth after getting called 'ugly'

Before 'Everwood', Sarah Drew was known for voicing the character Stacy in MTV's 'Daria' and the sudden focus on her physical appearance was surprising. 

“I grew up never considering whether I was pretty or not,” she said, adding, “My mom is a scientist, and makeup wasn’t worn."

"Hair, nobody cared about it, nobody cared about fashion. I never considered whether I was one of the pretty people in the world or not. All of a sudden, I was like, ‘Am I an ugly person? I guess maybe I’m an ugly person,’” Drew explained.

Now a mother of two, she expressed concern about the impact of social media on children. “Think about our girls,” she urged, noting the damaging influence online criticism can have on young people.

Sarah Drew never wanted to leave 'Grey’s Anatomy' but feels 'grateful' for new doors it opened  

Previously, Sarah Drew addressed comments about her exit from 'Grey’s Anatomy' in an interview with US Weekly.

“I lived a beautiful life as April Kepner for nine years on that show. I’m so grateful,” she said.

“I have friendships that will last me a lifetime. I had my babies on that show in a total matriarchy where I was so well cared for," she added.

“I wouldn’t have left. And now I am directing, and I’m producing, and I’m writing, and I don’t think I’d be doing any of those things if I was still on the show. So it was a great gift, actually. But hard in the moment,” she said.