Mary Bonnet, a prominent figure from the reality series “Selling Sunset,” has opened up about a harrowing chapter of her life in her new memoir, “Selling Sunshine.” In a candid excerpt shared with People, Bonnet recounts a traumatic experience that involved being drugged and sexually assaulted by an acquaintance, a story she details in the sixth chapter titled “Rock Bottom.”
Bonnet reflects on a Memorial Day gathering from ten years ago when she was lured to a man’s home in Los Angeles, accompanied by a friend whom she had previously spent time with. The expectation was to enjoy a lively night out with a group. However, things took a dark turn when the man, whom she refers to as “Joe,” served her a bright blue drink he claimed was a cocktail. After consuming the drink, she lost consciousness.
“When I came to, I found myself on Joe’s bed, my arms restrained against the mattress, and my pants around my ankles. He was on top of me, in the most violating way imaginable,” she recalls, expressing the distress of that moment. The trauma of the incident left her in tears as she fled from the apartment, overwhelmed and shaking.
In her memoir, Bonnet reveals that revisiting these memories during the writing process was both challenging and necessary, requiring extensive conversations with her therapist. Since that life-altering event, she has made significant changes in her approach to personal safety. “I never go to the homes of people I don’t know anymore,” she emphasizes. “I now avoid being alone with any man unless I’ve known him for a minimum of five years or if he identifies as 100 percent gay.”
Following the assault, Bonnet found comfort and support from friends like Amanza Smith and Taye Diggs. She also highlighted the comfort provided by her ex-partner, Jason Oppenheim. Now, at the age of 44, she is married to Romain Bonnet, whom she confided in about the ordeal. She shared his reassuring reaction: “He said, ‘Oh baby, I’m sorry you went through that.’ It’s the kind of response any supportive husband would give.”
Bonnet described facing her trauma, particularly during intimate moments, where unexpected touch can trigger memories of that night. Her husband has been understanding, accommodating her needs and respecting the impact of that past trauma on their relationship.
“Selling Sunshine: Surviving Teenage Motherhood, Thriving in Luxury Real Estate, and Finally Finding My Voice” is set to be released on September 24. If you or someone you know struggles with similar issues, support is available through the Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-330-0226.
