Brandi Glanville FINALLY addresses the allegations she inappropriately touched Caroline Manzo while filming Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip.
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum continues to deny the claims that first surfaced at the start of 2023.
During a recent interview with Page Six, the 50-year-old addressed how the allegations have impacted her life.
“It was a really tough beginning of a year. I feel like the narrative that’s out there is very unfair … I’m ready to clear things up,” Brandi said.
Insiders have claimed that both Brandi and Caroline were wearing mics during the alleged incident that took place in Morrocco as the Bravolebs filmed season 4 of the Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip earlier this year.
Season 4 of Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip also stars Vicki Gunvalson, Eva Marcille, Phaedra Parks, Camille Meyer, Alex McCord, and Gretchen Rossi.
Brandi Glanville’s lawyer has requested that Shed Media, the production company that produces RHUGT, release the audio from the incident.
An insider tells Page Six that production never handed over the audio.
“If anything like that actually transpired. I would’ve thought that production would’ve stepped in,” Brandi Glanville said.
“The longer they push [the season] back, the more speculation there is,” she continued. “I just want it to air and be done, so everyone can have their takeaways.”
Brandi added: “I’m hired to be the drunk, fun one,” before noting that she felt “punished” by the “new rules” for bringing out her infamous tipsy persona.
“Honestly, the old days of reality TV will never be again because we are such a sensitive society now,” she explained. “If they’re going to have rules for us, we can’t be shooting 15 hours a day, drinking all day long, and [producers] telling us to ‘bring the party [because] we don’t have a show.’”
A source from production insists that Brandi was “never forced to drink and, like all cast members, was only encouraged to be her authentic self.”
“I’ve always been an a–hole. I’ve always been very outspoken and sassy,” Brandi insisted. “I think the secret sauce is just not holding back and being yourself.”
“[In RHUGT season one] we got drunk and high, and I made out with Taylor and gave people lap dances,” she noted, adding that she believed the “assignment” was the same for season 4 of RHUGT.
Brandi also insists that Caroline got the fun memo as well, insisting the Real Housewives of New Jersey star was not boring.
“She was fun! She was definitely engaging in talking about threesomes and telling us to feel her boobs because they were … perfect,” the RHOBH alum said. “And the girls were touching her boobs. We kind of thought she was going to be uptight. And she was honestly cool — until you crossed her.”
The 50-year-old said she had “no ill feelings” toward Caroline and attempted to reach out to the RHONJ OG after they returned to the U.S. but received no response back.
“I just want to make sure she’s fine. Caroline didn’t want to talk, but she seems to be doing great,” Brandi said. “I think it just comes down to she hasn’t been on [‘Housewives’] TV in [nearly] 10 years and she wasn’t ready for what a ‘Girls Trip’ really is. She’s a grandma, it’s different.”
Caroline’s lawyer, Derek Smith, responded to Brandi’s claims, telling the outlet: “Sexual assault is something we take very seriously. We are not interested in engaging in a shameless tabloid war.”
In conclusion, Brandi revealed that Andy Cohen has been a support to her during this whole ordeal.
“Andy and I have had a ton of conversations because this is the first time I’ve ever dealt with anything like this. This is new for me, and this is scary for me. He’s been very helpful, honestly … He’s like, ‘It’s going to be what it’s going to be. Some people are going to probably see it and just say, ‘That’s Brandi being Brandi’ … ‘Don’t be too hard on yourself,’” Brandi explained.
She noted that the Watch What Happens Live host isn’t taking sides. “He knows me as a human. He knows Caroline as a human,” she explained. “He likes us both.”
A new season of RHUGT will begin streaming on Peacock in December.