'RHOP’ Mia Thornton Unveils Sexual Assault Story At Victims' Event

The latest episode of the "Real Housewives of Potomac" hit a little too close to home for Mia Thornton at an event for rape victims.

The reality TV star suffered an emotional meltdown at her co-star Karen Huger's luncheon for Promoting Awareness Victim Empowerment (PAVE). The organization, which empowers rape victims, was "triggering" for Thornton as a sexual assault survivor.

Thornton rushed to the bathroom in tears at PAVE's luncheon event, with "RHOP" co-star Ashley Darby at her heels. With the latter offering a shoulder to cry on and an empathetic ear, the 39-year-old willingly shared her sexual assault story for the first time.

She recalled the incident that happened when she was younger, noting that she had been with someone a fellow co-star had trusted. However, the night took a turn for the worse when her longtime friend left her alone with the culprit. Tearfully reflecting on the painful memory, Thornton said:

"It's my coping mechanism to get the f–-k out when s–-t's uncomfortable and, unfortunately, that day, I couldn't get out. It's just, like, 'Why didn't you just leave? Why did you put yourself in that situation?'"

The TV personality revealed the other party had been her pal Jacqueline Blake, whom she partially blamed for the incident. Despite her negative feelings towards the "RHOP" alum, she understood her anger was displaced as Blake wasn't at fault for leaving her. In Thornton's words:

"I know I'm a f–ked up friend to her because of it, and it's not fair to her. She didn't know that was going to happen to me. She trusted her boyfriend."

The Bravo star noted her pal was "so scared" when she checked on her a day after the assault happened. However, it wasn't easy for her to forgive Blake, given the horrific things that happened in her absence. Addressing the matter in her confessional, Thornton said:

"Because Jacqueline did leave me that night and because of the sequence of events that happened once she left, I think over the years I've wanted to forgive her … when I look back, I probably have always been a little meaner to her because of it."

The 39-year-old continued: "That doesn't make it right. It's just an emotional thing that I think a lot of people do. We don't even realize it until we look back and see it." Following her emotional confession in the bathroom, Darby embraced Thornton in a bear hug while declaring: "We're going to be OK."

Before Thornton's tearful recollection, Darby had revealed she had been sexually assaulted "at the hands of a family member." In her confessional, she noted, "The saddest thing is to know that it's happening now. It's so prevalent. It is heartbreaking."

Two years before her sexual assault story came to light, Thornton revealed she had been diagnosed with cancer in an emotional Instagram post. She shared the scary health update with a picture of herself smiling.

"Same time last week, Doc called at 7:31 am — Mia, I'm so sorry, but your test results came back, and I need you to go to Johns Hopkins Cancer Center today for further evaluation," she began the lengthy caption.

"You can only imagine the overwhelming amount of emotion G and I endured trying to figure out why," she continued, referencing her then-husband, Gordon Thornton. "However, even with such terrible news, I felt an extreme amount of peace and energy instilled that allowed me to remain strong."

The Bravo star confessed the news had changed her, but she would remain positive while working with a "phenomenal team of physicians." Thornton echoed her optimism while thanking fans for their support, adding:

"I appreciate the outpouring of support. I have not been diagnosed yet, so please keep me in prayers. I know God has a plan, and I know we are often challenged to remain humbled that tomorrow is not promised and that our days on this earth are numbered."

Although she did not clarify what stage her cancer was, she concluded her message by advising others to cherish each day, writing: "A message from my heart. A gentle reminder to Live, Love, & Forgive as if today was your last."