Kenya Moore speaks out about ex-boyfriend stabbing and nearly killing her

theGRIO REPORT - 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' star Kenya Moore is opening up about being a victim of domestic violence...

Real Housewives of Atlanta star Kenya Moore loves to smile and twirl these days, but that hasn’t always been  the case.

The Detroit native proved that she has a zero-tolerance policy against violence after being attacked by fellow cast-mate Porsha Williams during last season’s RHOA reunion episode.

Moore says that her anti-violence stance stems from being a victim of domestic abuse at the hands of her ex-boyfriend.

“I was in high school, and I was dating a much older man,” Moore told theGrio.com. “He was every bit of what you would think an abuser would be. He tormented me physically, mentally and once even nearly killed me by putting me into the hospital, from attacking me with a finger nail file… stabbing me with a finger nail file.”

“I lived through [abuse] very early on, and feel actually blessed because I did go through it so young and I know the signs to look out for with the men I’m dating now.”

Moore sent out a message to young women who are stuck in abusive relationships.

“Love is not someone who will hit you, someone who will talk down to you, someone who controls you and doesn’t allow you to be with your friends, That’s not love,” The former Miss USA said. “My advice if someone is experiencing that … they need to tell someone, they need to confide in someone that can help them.”

“I’m blessed. I’ve had a lot of things to overcome in my life and just feel blessed that I am here. I’m really not supposed to be here … but I’m here.”

Tune in for episode 2 of The Real Housewives of Atlanta, Sunday at 8/7c on Bravo.

The Atlanta peaches shattered ratings records at Bravo with their season 7 premiere. The episode was Bravo’s most-watched premiere episode ever to air on the cable channel, with a whopping 3.8 viewers tuning in.

Follow theGrio.com’s Entertainment Editor Chris Witherspoon on Twitter @WitherspoonC.

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