Alexia Umansky Reveals Past Sexual Assault on 'Special Forces'
The daughter of Kyle Richards and Mauricio Umansky shared her experience for the first time publicly on the reality competition show.
Alexia Umansky, daughter of Kyle Richards and Mauricio Umansky, disclosed on the latest episode of "Special Forces: World's Toughest Test" that she was sexually assaulted seven years ago. This revelation marked the first time she shared the traumatic experience with her father, who is also competing alongside her on the show.
During the episode, Umansky explained to the directing staff that her motivation for joining the competition stemmed from wanting to prove her courage following the assault. She recounted how, seven years prior, after drinking too much on a trip with friends, she was put to bed and later awoke to realize something had happened.
"I didn't even have the power or consciousness to say no," Umansky stated, describing feelings of objectification, pain, and anger. She explained that she had chosen to suppress the memory for about a year, deciding that happiness was a choice, but acknowledged that the pain lingered.
In a confessional segment, Umansky revealed that she had kept the assault from her family. "When you bring other people into it, it just becomes more of a conversation. And maybe a conversation was what I needed, but I just wasn't ready," she said.
She eventually confided in her father on camera, telling him, "You don't know [this]. I was taken advantage of by a friend." Umansky added that while she hadn't wanted her family to know, she also wanted to shield them from the experience. Umansky's father appeared confused about her desire to protect them, but she reiterated that sharing it made it no longer just her own concern.
Fellow competitor Candace Cameron Bure expressed her support, and contestant Maxim Naumov called her revelation "so f--king powerful." Umansky's father told his daughter he loved her.
Alexia Umansky is one of three daughters Mauricio Umansky shares with his estranged wife, Kyle Richards. Richards also has a daughter from a previous marriage. Richards had previously expressed concern about her daughter's participation in "Special Forces," telling Page Six that she was initially "not happy" about Alexia joining the show due to worries for her safety.
If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual assault, resources are available. You can contact the Sexual Assault Hotline at 1 (800) 330-0226.