‘RHOP’: Candiace Dillard Reveals Why She Waited To File Charges Against Monique Samuels
During the fifth season of The Real Housewives of Potomac, Candiace Dillard and Monique Samuels got into a physical altercation. As a result, Dillard decided to pursue legal action almost a month after the fight. The former Miss United States revealed why she waited so long to involve the courts in the RHOP After Show.
Karen Huger seemingly encouraged Candiace Dillard to file charges against Monique Samuels
After falling out during season 4, Candiace Dillard and Monique Samuels attempted to fix their relationship. However, several miscommunications resulted in the ladies coming to blows at a winery.
The former friends got into a verbal altercation that turned physical when Samuels pulled Dillard down to the table by her hair. She then began hitting the newlywed on top of the head, causing Dillard to swing a wine glass to protect herself. The producers quickly separated the ladies, ending the fight.
Although Karen Huger considered both women her friends and didn’t want to pick a side, she seemingly encouraged Dillard to take Samuels to court for assault. According to the Grand Dame, she told the newlywed, “if it were me, I would have pressed charges.”
She claimed she would inform Samuels about the advice she gave Dillard but never got around to it because Ashley Darby ended up clueing her in.
Huger explains why she would’ve pressed charges
The fragrance owner insists she never advised Dillard to pursue legal action and only offered her perspective if she were in the same situation.
In the Bravo After Show interview, Dillard told Wendy Osefo about Huger’s advice, surprising the newest housewife.
Samuels admitted she was confused when she heard what the fragrance owner said because she considered Huger a neutral party. The Grand Dame elaborated on her statement to Dillard and explained if she got into a fight, she would be “innocent.”
Therefore, she would immediately call law enforcement on the other person and press charges, not wait as Dillard did.
Dillard reveals why she waited to take the fight to the courts
The housewives also discussed the newlywed’s decision to press charges; a choice Samuels called “childish” because she feels both women were culpable in the fight. Dillard explained she waited to receive a text or call from her former friend apologizing for her part in the altercation and noted she still hasn’t heard from Samuels.
Vice President of Current Production, Josh Brown, claimed the mother-of-three did try to reach out to Dillard at one point and believes the former Miss United States wouldn’t have filed charges had she known that.
He also noted that legal action could have also been avoided if Samuels reached out faster. Gizelle Bryant felt Dillard waited nearly a month to file the complaint because she genuinely considered Samuels, a friend.
However, Bryant claims the mother-of-three “bullied” Dillard on social media and attempted to “destroy” the newlywed’s life, which pushed the former Miss United States to pursue legal action.
Dillard also noted that she typically avoids the courts, and it made her “sternum heavy” to file the complaint against Samuels, but she felt the mother-of-three began playing “dirty.”
Darby admitted Dillard filing the charges has made her look at the newlywed differently, and Samuels called the situation “unnecessary” and “nasty.” Additionally, she believes Dillard’s actions “showed her true character.” The Real Housewives of Potomac airs Sundays at 9/8c on Bravo.
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