Charity Lawson attends the Black Excellence Brunch during CMA Fest 2023 on June 11, 2023.Photo:Erika Goldring/Getty
Erika Goldring/Getty
Charity Lawsonis grateful to be moving onwards and upwards after ending a toxic relationship that limited her potential.
After Tuesday’s episode ofDancing with the Stars, theBachelorettestar exclusively opened up to PEOPLE about leaving the relationship behind and starting a new chapter with her fiancéDotun Olubeko.
“I did not, I mean, I envision a future for myself, but I think my scope was very limited,” she says of her relationship prior to becoming the Bachelorette. “I think I didn’t really have a full picture of what I thought could be possible for my life — which is sad to say — but it’s like when you’re not in a relationship that really pushes you to blossom or just even the people around you in general, friends, whoever that may be, it’s like you become almost like in this box.”
Charity Lawson and Dotun Olubeko visit The Empire State Building on September 6, 2023.Eugene Gologursky/Getty
Eugene Gologursky/Getty
The reality star admits that her life changed aftergetting engagedon the season finale of the ABC dating series, which aired in August, explaining, “And so now that I’m where I’m at and I went through so much in a short amount of time, I am a much better person. I’m more vibrant. I really do feel like I’m exactly where I need to be.”
During Lawson’s pre-performance package, she reflected on deciding to leave the relationship and beginning her journey onThe Bachelorand later becomingthe leading lady ofThe Bachelorette.
“Before that, I left a really toxic relationship,” she shared. “There was a lot of infidelity and I kept over-extending myself to make things work… being in the trenches so lost and not knowing how to get out, I wasn’t really proud of who I was.”
Charity Lawson and Artem Chigvintsev on ‘Dancing with the Stars’.Disney/Christopher Willard
Disney/Christopher Willard
“It took me going through that unfortunately to become the version of who I am today,” she added, noting that she’s “happily engaged” to Olubeko. “Sometimes you need to go through the worst things in life to get to the best place and this dance needs to show that painful journey.”
Derek Houghpraised her for using the jungle gym prop in her routine and said she dances with “such strength and bravery” whileBruno Toniolicelebrated Lawson for “being yourself and rejoicing in who you are” after the challenges she overcame.
Speaking to co-hostJulianne Houghafterwards, Lawson broke down in tears as she revealed, “It took a lot for me to get here… I just left it all out there.” Her efforts were clear to the judges as her emotional dance ultimately earned them the first 10 of the season from Inaba.
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Dancing with the Starsairs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+.
source: people.com
