Paige DeSorbo was presented with the Variety Courage Award, sponsored by Purina, at the Power of Women 2026 event on Wednesday. The honor recognized her efforts to use her public platform to support survivors of domestic violence.
Molly Sims introduced the former “Summer House” star, praising DeSorbo for directing attention toward an issue frequently experienced in silence. “She wasn’t asking to be seen as brave. She was just letting another woman know that she had no reason to feel ashamed,” Sims said during her speech.
DeSorbo’s address focused on her decision to disclose her past abuse on the 2024 episode of her podcast, “Giggly Squad.” She described the difficulty of recognizing abuse at a young age, noting that victims often lack the perspective to identify what is happening to them.
“I think a lot of us walk around assuming abuse looks a certain way… But that’s simply not true. It doesn’t ask permission. It doesn’t care how polished, confident or put together you seem. It can happen to any of us,” DeSorbo said.
She also discussed the role her cat, Daphne, played in her recovery after adopting the pet in 2024. DeSorbo highlighted the work of the Purple Leash Project, a nonprofit initiative promoting pet-friendly shelters for abuse survivors. She emphasized that leaving an abusive situation should not require choosing between personal safety and a companion animal.
“I know that’s an impossible decision. I can’t imagine ever leaving Daphne behind. So tonight, I want to ask you to help us make sure no survivor has to make that impossible choice again,” she said.
Speaking on the statistics surrounding the issue, DeSorbo noted that more than 12 million people experience domestic violence annually in the United States. This figure includes one in three women and one in four men, though she acknowledged that stigma often prevents survivors from coming forward.
Reflecting on the nature of bravery, DeSorbo offered a nuanced definition. “Courage isn’t necessarily about being fearless,” she said. “Sometimes it’s being afraid… and choosing to be honest anyway. Sometimes it’s deciding that something you’ve carried alone for years might be worth sharing if it could help someone else feel less alone.”
She concluded by expressing gratitude for the award and pride in her willingness to speak publicly. “If sharing it means even one person realizes that what happened to them isn’t their fault and that there is a way forward, then it was all worth it,” DeSorbo said.
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