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During season 5 of The Real Housewives of Potomac, Monique Samuels and Candiace Dillard got into a physical fight, resulting in Dillard pressing charges against her former friend. Samuels countered and asked Ashley Darby to write a statement against Dillard to strengthen her case, who agreed. Dillard admitted she felt more “hurt” than shocked by Darby’s actions.

'The Real Housewives of Potomac' -- 'Trouble in Paradise' Episode 416 -- Pictured: (l-r) Ashley Boalch Darby, Candiace Dillard Bassett
‘The Real Housewives of Potomac’ — ‘Trouble in Paradise’ Episode 416 — Pictured: (l-r) Ashley Boalch Darby, Candiace Dillard Bassett | Greg Endries

Candiace Dillard pressed charges against Monique Samuels following a physical altercation

Former close friends Candiace Dillard and Monique Samuels got into a heated argument that turned physical when Samuels grabbed Dillard by the hair and hit her in the back of the head several times.

The Not For Lazy Moms owner admitted she initially didn’t feel remorse for the situation. Therefore, she didn’t reach out to Dillard.

By the time Samuels wanted to apologize to her former friend, Dillard already chose to pursue the matter legally.

The 33-year-old filed a complaint with the court, resulting in second-degree assault charges against her former friend. Believing both women were at fault, Samuels countered, slapping Dillard with the same charge.

Darby wrote a statement against Dillard in favor of Samuels

To strengthen her case, Samuels asked Ashley Darby to write a statement to the courts about her negative experiences with Dillard, including the infamous butter knife incident from last season.

Darby, who hasn’t seen eye to eye with the former Miss United States despite their shared background, admitted she wrote the statement because she wanted revenge on Dillard.

The new mother also wanted to repay loyalty to Samuels for having her back when the other housewives were against her. Additionally, she thought the Not For Lazy Moms owner had more to lose if she went to jail.

Darby revealed her decision to write the statement during a girls’ trip to Portugal to Dillard in front of the group. The former Miss United States was understandably upset by the news, and the other ladies felt Darby should’ve written a character statement for Samuels instead.

Dillard admits she initially she felt more ‘hurt’ than shocked

During the Bravo After Show, Dillard admitted she felt more “hurt” than shocked by Darby deciding to write the courts. According to the 33-year-old, she thought she and Darby were working toward moving into a “positive” space following their season-long drama.

Dillard explained it “hurt differently” because Darby treated her well throughout the trip and talked about fixing their relationship while knowing she wrote the statement before landing in Portugal.

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‘RHOP’: Wendy Osefo on Why She Considers Ashley Darby a ‘Snake’ for Writing Statement Against Candiace Dillard

The “I See You” singer also noted she didn’t think Darby should’ve gotten involved because the OG housewife didn’t witness the altercation. Additionally, Dillard felt Darby wrote the statement in a “vindictive spirit,” which is “a level of lowdown” the former Miss United States said she doesn’t understand.

Darby admitted she used the situation for “vindication” and only retaliated because she believes Dillard “poked” at her first. The Real Housewives of Potomac airs Sundays at 9/8 on Bravo. 

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