Actress Emmy Rossum kept her failed marriage a closely-guarded secret - because she didn't want the union to be picked apart in the press.

The Phantom of the Opera star spent a year as Mrs. Justin Siegel - and even her biggest fans had no idea until the pair split this summer and began divorce proceedings.

Speaking candidly for the first time about her secret marriage, Rossum told Los Angeles radio DJ Valentine, "It's hard to have a private life and keep it private and hope that people don't pick you apart and that's kind of what's difficult about this job."

Siegel is now seeking to end the union, citing irreconcilable differences, and, according to court documents, the producer is asking his estranged wife to pay for the cost of the divorce - and spousal support.

However Rossum, who is now dating rocker Adam Duritz, insists she wants nothing in the divorce settlement: "I'm not asking for anything except freedom, so I can move on to another chapter in my life and find happiness."

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(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)