*TRIGGER WARNING: this article discusses sexual assault*
Mia Thornton of the Real Housewives of Potomac has had a rough year as she revealed she was divorcing her husband of 11 years in September 2023. Season 8 shows Mia and her ex-husband, Gordon Thornton, going through the paces as they navigate a family business fallout and downsize their lifestyle. However, Mia has kept her composure through it all and emerged as a fan favorite this season. This is exactly why Mia’s sexual assault reveal was so heartbreaking.
When the mother first walked onto the scene in Season 6, she was gutsy and bold in her words. Once a former dancer, Mia seemed to live up to the age-old adage of where the money goes, the honey goes, but she turned out to be way more than an alleged gold digger.
Mia ran her household, stood as CEO for Joint chiropractor clinics, and even admitted to inviting people into her bedrooms at times. Mia is a modern-day Real Housewives star, and since joining, her story has become more interesting. In a recent episode, Mia opened up about the trauma in her past and helped bring all the women together.
What Happened To Mia?
During a recent episode, Mia shared a moving story that, sadly, many viewers could relate to. As Karen Huger hosted a PAVE event for which she has been an ambassador for ten years, Mia became emotional during a musical performance, revealing to Bravo cameras that she had been a victim of sexual assault. Mia noted that she almost didn’t go to the empowerment event because she usually chooses to avoid those triggering situations but wanted to make sure she supported her friend.
Ashley Darby
Almost immediately, Ashley Darby ran to her friend’s side, noting she had no idea about Mia’s sexual assault. After hugging her friend, Mia revealed, “This whole what we’re doing is triggering. It’s my coping mechanism to get the fu*k out when sh*t is uncomfortable. You know what I mean?” Ashley nodded in agreement, making sure Mia didn’t feel alone.
Ashley shared her story, saying, “It’s very triggering for me because of my own experiences that I had at the hands of a family member, and the saddest thing is to know that it’s happening now. It’s so prevalent. It is heartbreaking.”
While sobbing, she explained what happened to Ashley, noting, “And unfortunately, that day, I couldn’t get out, you know? And it’s just like, Mia, why didn’t you just leave? Why didn’t you just, like, just why did you put yourself in that situation.” Mia went on to share, “And you know what’s fu*ked up, is that I know this is why I take sh*t out on Jacqueline, because she left me there.”
Robyn Dixon & Candiace Dillard Bassett
After learning of Mia’s sexual assault, many of the other Potomac women opened up about their past experiences, too. Robyn Dixon revealed, “I had an experience when I was a teenager. I was unable to give consent. At the time, I didn’t really realize what …the severity of what had happened.”
Candiace Dillard Bassett shared, “I didn’t even realize that what had happened to me was what it was until, like, years later.” The entire group of women rallied to support not only Mia but one another, even though many of them exchanged heated words.
Why Mia’s Brave
The luncheon was emotionally charged, but Mia was brave to share her story. During her confessional, the mother of three noted that she wasn’t ready to tell her story and didn’t know if she ever would be. Even though Mia was breaking down, she kept self-motivating herself, whispering, “You can do it.” Along with sharing her trauma, Mia also gave more insight into her fallout with her best friend as she came to a realization on why they no longer spoke, telling Ashley, “And I know I’m a fu*ked up friend to her because of it, and it’s not fair to her. She didn’t know that was gonna happen to me. She trusted her boyfriend; she trusted him.”
Mia admitted that she struggled to forgive her friend and herself. But with the Real Housewives of Potomac star peeling back the layers, it showed Mia’s vulnerability. Not to mention, her story probably helped some viewers feel not so alone in their own struggles.
TELL US – DO YOU THINK MIA’S SEXUAL ASSAULT STORY WAS MOVING? ARE YOU HAPPY THE LADIES ALL SUPPORTED ONE ANOTHER?
