Shailene Woodley wasn’t ready for scrutiny she faced while dating Aaron Rodgers

Shailene Woodley says she felt violated by the public’s interest in her relationship with Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

The two were first linked in July 2020 following his split from Danica Patrick, and eventually got engaged. However, US Weekly confirmed in February 2022 that the two had split.

Woodley reflected on her relationship with the star quarterback, revealing she didn’t expect the amount of attention she received given she is a very private person.

“It honestly never really hit me that millions of people around the world were actually watching these things and paid attention to them,” she told PORTER.

“Then, I dated somebody in America, who was very, very famous. It was the first time that I’d had a quote-unquote ‘famous’ relationship, and I watched [the] scrutiny, opinions, the desire for people to know my life and his life and our life – it just felt violating in a way that, before, it was fun.

“I’m a very private person, and so I found that any time I posted anything, I instantly felt like I was sharing too much of who I am with people I didn’t necessarily trust.”

Woodley wrapped up filming for the TV adaptation of ‘Three Women’ back in May 2022, and she admits the experience was challenging given the state of her personal life.

“It was hard to film because I was going through the darkest, hardest time in my life; it was winter in New York, and my personal life was shitty, so it felt like a big pain bubble for eight months,” said Woodley.

“I was so grateful that at least I could go to work and cry and process my emotions through my character.”

The native of California added: “”I’m so excited to continue letting go of so many of the things that controlled me in my twenties; to really experience the joy of life in a way that, when you’re younger, is more difficult to experience – because it’s controlled by the way you were raised instead of the identity that you create as your own person.”

Woodley and Rodgers have kept quiet over split

Although the two split in February 2022, they were spotted attending a wedding together the following month. An insider told Us Weekly that while the two were “on and off”, they were “over for good.”

Although the two have shied away from sharing details about their split, Rodgers did thank his ex for letting him be part of her life via Instagram.