In an emotional interview with People, Porsha Williams speaks out about her contentious divorce from Simon Guobadia, calling it a "nightmare" that left her feeling "betrayed" and "defeated."

The Real Housewives of Atlanta star, 44, finalized her divorce on June 11 after a long and intense legal battle. Williams claims she filed for divorce out of "necessity" to protect herself, citing "complex" issues with Guobadia's legal status, including immigration violations and a history of fraud.

"I loved him so much because I trusted him, and I felt safe with him, and that's what I lost," Williams says, tearfully. "I couldn't trust him."

Williams and Guobadia, 61, met in 2021 and got married in a lavish ceremony in November 2022. However, their relationship began to unravel when Williams discovered Guobadia's legal troubles, which led to his deportation to Nigeria.

Despite the challenges, Williams says she's relieved the divorce is finally over and is focused on moving forward. "I feel relieved," she says. "I think the feeling was mutual for me and him. We were both ready to close this chapter and move forward with real life."

Williams also opens up about the impact of the divorce on her 6-year-old daughter, Pilar Jhena "PJ" McKinley, whom she shares with ex-fiancé Dennis McKinley. "Bringing Pilar into this marriage was just beautiful," she says. "We let her relationship with Simon happen naturally, and Pilar, she really thrived in it. She loved Simon. She loved having brothers and sisters."

Williams says she's grateful for the support of her family, including her mother, Diane, and sister, Lauren. "I had to do something with that love. And I decided I wasn't going to let it go to waste. I started giving it to me," she says.

The reality star is now focused on her various projects, including her YouTube channel, Porsha4Real, and her business ventures, including Go Naked Hair and Pampered by Porsha. "There's no drama—just me, Dennis, my mom, my sister, PJ—being ourselves," she says.

As for what's next in the love department, Williams admits she's not ready. "It's lonely. I can't connect with other men," she says, tearfully. "You'd think I'm already out there dating, right? People try to introduce me, but when it's not the same, it's not the same."

Read more about Porsha Williams' divorce and her journey to healing and self-love in People's latest issue, on newsstands now.

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Image credits: Erik Umphrey/People