The Real Housewives of Orange County alum Vicki Gunvalson expressed her disappointment to Newsweek over the decision not to air Ultimate Girls Trip: Morocco following sexual assault allegations made by one of the cast members.
Almost two years after filming wrapped, the season, which was set to feature an all-star cast of Real Housewives veterans, aimed to reunite several Bravo favorites, including Gretchen Rossi, Brandi Glanville, Eva Marcille, Phaedra Parks and Gunvalson. Joining the cast for the first time were Camille Grammer, Caroline Manzo and Alex McCord.
However, filming was disrupted when former Real Housewives of New Jersey cast member Manzo accused former The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Glanville of sexual assault. Glanville denies wrongdoing.
In January, Manzo filed a lawsuit against NBCUniversal, Peacock, Bravo and the production companies involved, claiming Glanville had forcibly kissed and groped her during filming. The lawsuit, filed in state court in New York, also alleges that Bravo and other NBCUniversal entities knew of Glanville's history of inappropriate behavior but hired her as they believed she would boost ratings.
During a conversation with Newsweek, Gunvalson said she and her cast mates "don't know" if the season will ever air but believes that it should so people can find out the "truth" about what transpired.
Newsweek emailed a spokesperson for NBCUniversal for comment on Tuesday.
"No, I don't think it's going to air, unfortunately. But, you know, we don't know. It was a good, good show. It was a great, great show. But I just, personally, I don't think it's gonna [air]," the reality star said.
"I mean, it is disappointing, but at the end of the day, the network had a simple opportunity to air it or not, and due to the allegations and claims between Caroline and Brandi, I think that they felt it was too risky, but I personally feel they should air it because it will show the truth, you know. And I just think it's unfortunate, but we don't know, it might end up airing. Who knows?"
Aside from the allegations that came from filming the season, Gunvalson said she loved being on the show.
She added: "It was so much fun. We had a great time. Really great time."
Gunvalson said that putting together eight women who starred on different Bravo shows and had differing experiences created a "fun" atmosphere.
"Some of the girls I had not known before, and I get along with everybody, I try to—there was really no conflict with the girls, which was nice. It was nice and easy, but fun. We had a great, great show," she explained.
"We were able to experience a culture that I've never been before and rode camels and [we] were out in the desert and just a lot of great, great times. But it's unfortunate it didn't show. Maybe it will, you know, it's been almost two years."
Gunvalson also told Newsweek that while Bravo hasn't approached her about filming another season, she is open to the call.
"Not as of yet, but I'm waiting. I'm waiting by the phone, [but] no, I haven't heard anything," she said.
Filming for the season was unceremoniously cut short for Glanville when she was asked to leave early over allegedly kissing and groping Manzo off-camera without her consent. Manzo alleged that she was sexually assaulted by Brandi, who "groped, grabbed, and forcibly fondled Manzo's vagina and breasts."
Part of the lawsuit reads: "Glanville then proceeded to mount Manzo on the couch holding Manzo down with her body, forcibly squeezed Manzo's cheeks together and thrust her tongue in Manzo's mouth, while humping her. Manzo tried to push Glanville off of her body. However, Glanville was restraining Manzo with her much greater weight, size, and strength, and was unable to free herself."
Glanville posted in response to the allegations on X in June of this year, saying, "TheCarolineBS has plagued me 4-2long Her accusations are false & defamatory!I have ABSOLUTELY ZERO attraction to her.I've done reality TV for 13 yrs &have never had a complaint.This is a simple case of buyers remorse.She had fun&now regrets it.THIS IS NONSENSE& I can prove it."
TheCarolineBS has plagued me 4-2long Her accusations are false & defamatory!I have ABSOLUTELY ZERO attraction to her.I've done reality TV for 13 yrs &have never had a complaint.This is a simple case of buyers remorse.She had fun&now regrets it.THIS IS NONSENSE& I can prove it. 😤
— Brandi Glanville (@BrandiGlanville) June 2, 2024Allegations that Glanville engaged in inappropriate behavior while shooting the fourth season of Ultimate Girls Trip were addressed when Warner Bros., NBC Universal and Shed Media were sent a letter from Glanville's attorneys Mark Geragos and Bryan J. Freedman.
Denying any wrongdoing, Glanville's letter stated that "the cast spent the day in question drinking alcohol, smoking marijuana, and, at the end of the evening, learning how to belly dance." Glanville and Manzo, states the letter, later began "dirty dancing" while attending "a party thrown by production."
"We have heard about a supposed 'bathroom incident' through press leaks, but Shed Media has repeatedly refused to allow Ms. Glanville or her counsel to see the footage in question; there is no truth to any allegations of impropriety," Glanville's attorneys stated. "Ms. Glanville and Ms. Manzo were never alone together that evening."
Elsewhere in the missive, Glanville accused Andy Cohen, the host and executive producer of The Real Housewives franchise, of sexual harassment. It was alleged that Cohen sent Glanville an inappropriate recorded message in 2022. While Cohen issued an apology, he denied any wrongdoing.
English (US) ·