'Dynasty' star Linda Evans breaks silence on shocking footage of DUI arrest

"Dynasty" actress Linda Evans is breaking her silence on the shocking dash cam footage that went viral of her 2014 DUI arrest.

The police report of the May 2014 incident alleged that Evans, then 71, had been driving erratically on her way to a doctor's appointment in Washington state and the arresting officer had her take a field sobriety test that she failed.

SEE ALSO: 'Dynasty' star Linda Evans arrested for DUI back in 2014

Looking back on the moment, the now-74-year-old, who became a household name when she played Krystle Carrington on "Dynasty," told People that she was "surprised" by what she saw in the leaked clip.

"When I saw the footage, I was surprised because I don't remember myself that way," she explained. "That's not the way I perceive myself. To see it, it was disturbing. I saw the pain in my eyes. It just took me right back to the moment."

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Still, Evans contended that the incident was the result of taking "unknown pills" that morning to treat a dislocated disc in her back. The actress said she has chronic back pain that has now been healed.

The actress admitted that she "should have stayed home" that day because she was "so weak from back pain." Regardless, it was a "pivotal" moment for her and opened her eyes to her own behavior.

Not only that, but the coverage of the leaked footage earlier this month was also another important reminder of where she once was.

"When I saw the brutal coverage in the pop news story, it actually showed me how far I've come," she explained to People. "It's easy to love ourselves when we look beautiful and feel perfect. But when we feel vulnerable to our own criticism, and other people's criticism, these moments define us. This opportunity helped me learn to stand by myself, in my journey of recovery. And now I feel liberated from my own critical mind. Life can be messy, and a little compassion for ourselves is what self-love is about."

Evans has since left Hollywood behind her and, though she has fond memories of her time on the ABC hit ("What a ride 'Dynasty' was!"), she says she's happy with her quieter life.

"I don't miss it at all," she said.

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