RHOP: The Truth About Mia Thornton And Candiace Dillard Bassett's Feud

Chiropractic franchise owner and reality television newbie Mia Thornton first burst onto the Bravo scene in 2021 during Season 6 of "The Real Housewives of Potomac." And boy, did she come out of the gate swinging! 

With a tagline like "If you want to pop off, I'll be happy to get you adjusted," we should've probably prepared ourselves for an inevitable show-down or two between Mia and fellow castmate and Queen of the pop-off, Candiace Dillard Bassett. (As you may recall, Candiace is the Housewife responsible for "Watch What Happens Live" host Andy Cohen coining the term "Twitter Disaster.") Alas, here we are. Cue the "yo mama" insults and a good old-fashioned food fight for good measure. 

So what's the real story behind the ongoing feud between Mia and Candiace? And is there any chance of a true-blue reconciliation between the dueling divas once and for all? The answer just might surprise you...

Candiace Dillard Bassett insulted Mia Thornton's mother

Trouble first started brewing when aspiring R&B music sensation Candiace Dillard Bassett asked all of the ladies to participate in a music video for her new song, "Drive Back." There was only one little problem: Candiace's "husbandger" Chris Bassett didn't make good on his promise to deliver cars to the set in a timely fashion. Per People, the music video debacle prompted Mia to refer to the production as "low budget" and in return, Candiace volleyed back an insult aimed straight at Mia's mother... who has dealt with substance abuse issues in the past. "Yo Mama's low budget" Candiace clapped back. 

The feud continued to spill over during a cast trip to Chesapeake Bay, prompting an all-out food fight in the kitchen of an otherwise impeccably clean rental home. "I don't remember even tossing the lettuce," Mia later told ET Online about the incident.

Fortunately, the pair seemingly buried the proverbial salad fork once and for all during a picturesque boat ride. Mia made the first move apologizing for making light of Candiace's music video and in turn, Candiace apologized for taking a dig at Mia's mother. "I was not aware that you had stuff with your mom. Honestly, when I said your mother's low budget, I did not realize that I was pushing a button in you that is traumatic and hurtful. I don't ever want to be responsible for contributing to that kind of hurt," she lamented.

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Candiace Dillard Bassett is 'more confused than ever'

In classic "Real Housewives" reunion fashion, however, we learn that sworn frenemies Mia Thornton and Candiace Dillard Bassett weren't actually willing to let bygones be bygones. Per ET Online, Candiace continued to defend the "Yo Mama" insult at the reunion, claiming that she did not know the backstory regarding Mia's mother. Mia, however, was quick to point out, "She doesn't have to have the trauma in order for you to not talk about somebody's mother." Still, Candiace didn't waver. "If I knew that she had the trauma that she has with her mother, I would not have said that. I would've talked about something else," she maintained before doubling down. "I was going light on you and what happened was, you were ungrateful."

Later, during a post-reunion interview, Candiace discussed the impasse. "I'm more confused than ever by that one," she said referring to Mia. "I feel like I walked away with more understanding. I felt like, you know, I've had my moments with certain girlfriends for my entirety on the show. And I thought, is it time to retire some things? Maybe, but maybe not. 'Cause I hold grudges, so it's hard for me to let things go.".

Perhaps, these ladies can squash their beef once and for all over a nice dinner... but maybe skip the salad course.