Brandi Glanville is not going down without a fight.
The 50-year-old reality television mainstay was supposed to appear on the season one reunion special of The Traitors this week. Considering she had been a star of that breakout new reality show, fans were counting on her to sit down with Andy Cohen and re-hash all the drama that went down on air.
But she was nowhere to be found when the much-anticipated reunion ep first streamed on Tuesday on Peacock. And all Cohen would say about it was a lightning-quick throwaway line early in the show about how Brandi was “unfortunately not able to join us tonight.” So what gives?!?!
Related: Brandi Bragged About Being A ‘Happy Drunk’ Before Alleged RHUGT Assault!
Well, it’s not clear exactly why the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum was seemingly iced out of The Traitors reunion. But to hear Brandi’s team tell it, there is supposedly a conspiracy afoot!! And it has to do with THAT alleged sexual assault…
As Perezcious readers will recall, the RHOBH vet has been facing down a firestorm in recent weeks. Allegations first came out in late January about a supposed sexual assault she committed on Caroline Manzo while the two were filming scenes for Real Housewives: Ultimate Girls Trip in Morocco. It’s been a crazy time for all involved ever since.
And while Brandi has already denied the allegations against her, not being around for The Traitors‘ reunion was sus!! Late on Tuesday night, People published a strong statement from Brandi’s rep regarding that reunion absence. It sounds like Glanville wanted to be on set for the special, and it was apparently not her decision to skip out:
“Brandi wanted nothing more than to attend The Traitors reunion. It has been one of Brandi’s favorite projects.”
So was her absence RHUGT-related, or what??
Since Cohen wouldn’t say on air, and no other sources have come out regarding producers’ current views on the Manzo incident, it was left to Brandi’s rep to make the case. And according to the new message from Team Glanville, the longtime Bravo-lebrity is being forbidden from revealing her side of how things supposedly went down in Morocco:
“Brandi has been prohibited from sharing her side of the story and in turn, people have only heard unsubstantiated versions. Brandi maintains her innocence and vehemently denies any wrongdoing.”
Whoa!!
Does that mean Peacock execs have literally slapped a gag order on the controversial star while investigating allegations of sexual assault involving her and the Real Housewives of New Jersey alum in the north African nation??
Related: Brandi Claims Eddie Cibrian Cheated BEFORE LeAnn Rimes Affair Too?!
Not having Brandi sit down with the rest of the Traitors cast was a big loss for that show. But obviously, the assault allegations against the Drinking and Tweeting author are far more serious. As we first reported in late January, Brandi allegedly made “unwanted” and non-consensual advances towards the 61-year-old Manzo during a RHUGT party in Morocco. A source said this at the time of the initial report:
“It was unwanted. And Caroline’s distress over the matter did not seem to stop Brandi. Things escalated and physical boundaries allegedly were crossed that Caroline felt were serious and uncomfortable.”
Then, the allegations ballooned even further. A week after the first claim, insiders unearthed shocking details alleging Brandi had forced herself upon Manzo’s “breast and vaginal area” during an unwanted bathroom encounter.
As those new claims came out, Peacock and production company Shed Media rushed to release a joint statement indicating their ongoing investigation:
“The safety and security of cast and crew while shooting is extremely important and we take all reports seriously. In this situation, production immediately launched a comprehensive review and is taking appropriate action.”
Like we noted (above), Brandi has already appeared to deny the assault allegations against her — by using her favorite social media site, no less. However, this statement from her reps in light of the fiasco with the Traitors‘ reunion special is definitely MUCH more forceful than Glanville’s initial tweet.
Reactions, Perezcious readers??
[Image via Bravo/YouTube/MEGA/WENN]
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