‘RHOP’: Ashley Darby Says She Wrote Letter Against Candiace Dillard for ‘Vindication’
The once redeveloping of a friendship between Ashley Darby and Candiace Dillard is no longer now that Dillard is aware of Darby’s loyalty to Monique Samuels. The last episode of RHOP shows the fallout between the two women upon Darby’s revelation that she’s writing a statement of support for Samuels’ case against Dillard. Dillard feels betrayed, and Darby says it’s her method of vindication due to her past beef with Dillard.
Ashley Darby reveals she’s writing a statement in support of Monique Samuels in Samuels’ case against Candiace Dillard
Darby was not present for the wig-pulling moment between Dillard and Samuels, but she maintains a strong friendship and support with Samuels. Though she believes Samuels is wrong for physically attacking Dillard, she does not believe Dillard is innocent.
Dillard and Darby have had their own issues in the past, including the infamous butter knife-throwing incident. During a heated argument between Dillard and Darby, Darby confronted Dillard over her insensitive comments about her miscarriage. Dillard throws a butter knife in Darby’s direction when Darby insults her home.
Related: ‘RHOP’: Why Candiace Dillard Isn’t Surprised To See People Taking Monique Samuels’ Side
Darby also notes the public rants and verbal abuse she’s suffered from Dillard, mainly on social media. Dillard’s Tweets about Darby have been vicious, including her calling Darby a “bed wench,” “concubine,” and a “roach.”
As a result, Darby says she is sympathetic to Samuels as she believes Dillard has the tendency to provoke people through her words and actions. She also says she’s fearful that Samuels can serve jail time, which she does not believe is warranted.
Samuels’s legal team requests that Darby write a statement in support of Samuels, which includes telling of her own negative experiences with Dillard. The rest of the cast, with the exception of Karen Huger, believes Darby’s letter is an assassination of Dillard’s character.
Darby says the letter serves two purposes: to return a favor to Samuels for supporting her through her own marital trouble – and payback to Dillard.
Ashley Darby says her statement of support of Monique Samuels is ‘vindication’ against Candiace Dillard
Dillard is furious over Darby’s revelation. She accuses Darby of falling victim to Samuels playing her like “a puppet.” Dillard is also hurt and emotional over the idea that Darby’s writing the statement out of spite over what transpired between the two of them in the past.
During the RHOP After Show, Darby details how Samuels’ support of her warrants the same in return. Viewers remember the sexual assault allegations against Darby’s husband. Samuels was the only co-star to come to their defense.
Related: ‘RHOP’: Monique Samuels Reveals Why She Doesn’t See Herself Reconciling With Candiace Dillard
Dillard’s husband allegedly saw the assault take place and was called as a potential witness in the case. Darby is adamant that Dillard and her husband went on a smear campaign against her and her husband.
It’s also believed that Samuels destroyed video footage of the alleged assault as it took place in her home to assist Darby.
Darby admits that she’s still bitter about Dillard’s involvement in trashing her family. Wendy Osefo calls Darby a “snake” for her reasons for supporting Samuels.
“The thing about snakes is that they really only attack when they’re provoked so yes, if I bit, it’s because someone poked and prodded at me first,” she says. “And while it may not be a recent thing, I’m sure snakes have a bit of a memory too. And, that was my way of getting my vindication, that’s a terrible thing to say, but yeah I guess ultimately it is.”
RHOP airs every Sunday night on Bravo at 9 pm EST.
