Photo: Grace Fries
Amanza Smithis opening up for the first time about a dark chapter of her past.
PEOPLE reached out to the living accused family member and did not receive a reply.
Smith says because of what happened to her, she developed a “protection” or “survival skill” to help her process bad situations, and she didn’t realize until she had children of her own how the trauma from her childhood truly affected her.
Grace Fries
She continues, “Suddenly everything made sense: All of the things I had struggled with in my teens, addiction in my 20s, ways I felt I failed, was not motivated, and felt in some way different from my friends.”
The real estate agent said since then, she has “done so much work” to get to a better place.
“I truly believe that everything happens for a reason,” Smith says. “I would change nothing in my life. I would be born again, and I would live the exact same life of trauma and abuse. I would do it all over again because I am strong enough. I was chosen to go through that. Now I can be a voice to help others get through it.”
Prior to her debut onSelling Sunsetinseason two, Smith was married to former NFL playerRalph Brownbetween 2010 and 2012, and the two share daughter Noah and son Baker. In 2019,Brown disappearedand Smith has still not been able to locate him, telling PEOPLE in 2020, “he doesn’t want to be found.”
Last year Smith opened up about hermental-healthstruggles amid the search for her missing ex-husband,sharing a tearful selfieon Instagram.
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“This was me last night at 4am when I couldn’t sleep because so much was on my mind,” Smith captioned the post.
“It’s ok not to be ok,” shesaid elsewhere in the post. “Many people are afraid to be open about mental health. You all see me very strong and I appreciate so much the support I have gotten thru fans and friends for the way I carry myself thru this difficult new journey as a full time working single mom.”
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.
source: people.com
