The physical altercation between Monique Samuels and Candiace Dillard has definitely been the most controversial thing to happen this season on the Real Housewives of Potomac.
Both fans and cast members have been split — while Robyn Dixon, Gizelle Bryant, and Wendy Osefo have clearly taken Candiace’s side, both Karen Huger and Ashley Darby have attempted to remain more “neutral” (well, kind of).
Since the fight, Monique has been working hard on her personal demons and has had many therapy sessions. She told E!,
“I’ve had many therapy sessions after the fight. I started out with two therapists. I usually will counsel with my pastor or my godfather…but this time I wanted to take it a step further.”
In therapy, she learned about some of her “childhood triggers”, particularly ones involving her father.
She explained that when Candiace put her hand in her face, it reminded her of her father.
“He was very much a person that would stick his finger right in your face like, ‘What’d I say?!’ and as a child, you can’t do anything about it.”
She continued,
“And in that moment is when I broke down in that session and my therapist was like, ‘Okay now this is starting to make sense why something that seems so small and insignificant to other people is major to you.’ She said it’s almost like that 5-year-old, 6-year-old Monique jumped out and said, ‘You are not going to put your hand in my face.'”
Monique has continued therapy, hoping that learning about her triggers will prevent anything like this from happening again.
Despite Candiace technically being the victim in the altercation, fans have largely been on Monique’s side. Candiace has been notoriously malicious, previously attacking Ashley, waving a butter knife in her face, and refusing to apologize for years.
She’s also written vile things on Twitter to both castmates and fans alike over the past few years.
It can certainly be difficult to feel sorry for someone who doesn’t seem to have a nice bone in their body. And although violence is never ok, it looks like a lot of fans feel that the attack was karma.
The Real Housewives of Potomac airs on Bravo on Sundays at 9 pm EST.
