Real Housewives of Dallas star D’Andra Simmons might seem to live a charmed life now, but thing weren’t always that way. The reality star is opening up about an abusive ex and domestic violence she survived 10 years ago. She’s speaking out amid the death of Donna Alexander, who appeared on RHOD last month and was allegedly murdered by her ex-boyfriend. Click through the gallery to find out more.
1 of 7
Photo credit: Getty Images
"Such a good soul and a nice person. You remember people like that in your life," the 49-year-old
told Fox 4 about Donna. "When I found out what happened to her I had no idea, which is quite often the story."
2 of 7
Photo credit: Getty Images
Donna was violently assaulted on Friday, September 21. She was later taken off life support, and her estranged boyfriend is now charged with murder. Donna ran Anger Room, where people can come and smash things as stress relief.
The RHOD visited on a recent episode.
3 of 7
Photo credit: MEGA
"Successful women, that it looks like they have everything going for them from the outside, but then there's a secret they're hiding,” D’Andra said. And sadly, she was speaking from experience. 10 years ago, she was dating someone who became violent.
4 of 7
Photo credit: Getty Images
"Pulled out a lot of my hair, he broke my fingers, he fractured my skull, I had internal bleeding. At the end of the time, I remember saying to him, I said, 'I can't do this anymore.' I tried to call out, and all the phones, he destroyed all the phones. They were either broken or he threw them away. I couldn't use the phone, I couldn't get out the door. I said, 'There's a rifle in the back room, just go, it's loaded. Just put it to my head and shoot me because I can't do this anymore.'"
5 of 7
Photo credit: INSTARImages
D’Andra finally got help when she went to a women’s shelter. She received counseling and was eventually able to walk away. While she had remained quiet about this time in her life, now she thinks it’s essential to speak out and support others going through abuse.
6 of 7
Photo credit: MEGA
"Get the counseling and get the encouragement to be able to leave because I promise you, I was there. I wish I had talked to somebody a long time before I did. If I had, I would have been out a lot earlier. Luckily I didn’t lose my life, but Donna did, and don't let her death be for nothing."
7 of 7
Photo credit: Getty Images
What do you think about D’Andra speaking out about abuse? Let us know in the comments.
"Such a good soul and a nice person. You remember people like that in your life," the 49-year-old
told Fox 4 about Donna. "When I found out what happened to her I had no idea, which is quite often the story."
Photo credit: Getty Images
Donna was violently assaulted on Friday, September 21. She was later taken off life support, and her estranged boyfriend is now charged with murder. Donna ran Anger Room, where people can come and smash things as stress relief.
The RHOD visited on a recent episode.
Photo credit: Getty Images
"Successful women, that it looks like they have everything going for them from the outside, but then there's a secret they're hiding,” D’Andra said. And sadly, she was speaking from experience. 10 years ago, she was dating someone who became violent.
"Pulled out a lot of my hair, he broke my fingers, he fractured my skull, I had internal bleeding. At the end of the time, I remember saying to him, I said, 'I can't do this anymore.' I tried to call out, and all the phones, he destroyed all the phones. They were either broken or he threw them away. I couldn't use the phone, I couldn't get out the door. I said, 'There's a rifle in the back room, just go, it's loaded. Just put it to my head and shoot me because I can't do this anymore.'"
Photo credit: Getty Images
D’Andra finally got help when she went to a women’s shelter. She received counseling and was eventually able to walk away. While she had remained quiet about this time in her life, now she thinks it’s essential to speak out and support others going through abuse.
Photo credit: INSTARImages
"Get the counseling and get the encouragement to be able to leave because I promise you, I was there. I wish I had talked to somebody a long time before I did. If I had, I would have been out a lot earlier. Luckily I didn’t lose my life, but Donna did, and don't let her death be for nothing."
What do you think about D’Andra speaking out about abuse? Let us know in the comments.
Photo credit: Getty Images
