Netflix TV Show Apologizes for “Embarrassing” Remarks that “Belittled” a Town

Selling Sunset Season 8 premiered on Netflix on September 6, but it has quickly faced criticism for its “embarrassing” storyline involving the ownership of a small Californian town.

While drama is a staple of reality TV, the situation escalated when cast member Alanna Gold falsely claimed ownership of Pioneertown, a small desert community, sparking backlash.

The 32-year-old real estate agent made quite the entrance in the season, proclaiming to her colleagues that she owned a “little Western town in the desert” called Pioneertown.

Gold humorously added, “I’m (the) sheriff of the town, yeehaw!” and cheekily told her boss Jason Oppenheim, “You guys don’t get to know that. You can’t have it, it’s ours” when he inquired about its price.

However, this bold claim was met with swift rebuke. On September 9, The Pioneer Gazette, the town’s newspaper, demanded a public apology from Gold, stating that her assertions belittled the community.

Saw this on Reddit!! How embarrassing lmao #sellingsunset pic.twitter.com/Gva1c3uk4p

— Eileen Slayvidson (@eilenslayvidson) September 10, 2024

The statement released by the Gazette read: “The baseless claims by Selling Sunset’s Alanna Gold that she ‘owns Pioneertown’ undermines 78 years of internationally celebrated film, arts, and cultural history. These claims belittle generations of artists, neighbors, nature lovers, community members, musicians, small business owners, and otherwise magnificent people of Pioneertown.

“Pioneertown is a mile-square census designated community with over 400 residents and is privately owned by more than 100 independent parties. Mrs. Gold has a small minority non-controlling interest in an entity that owns six of 35 parcels in the Mane Street area, constituting less than 1% of Pioneertown’s total 640 acres.

“The claim she owns the ‘entire town’ is verifiably false.”

Subsequently, Gold issued an apology, acknowledging the misunderstanding. According to The Independent, her statement acknowledged: “I want to reach out to personally say I am so deeply sorry for the confusion I have caused. I certainly do not own Pioneertown; I never should have said that and I apologize for doing so. I want you to know that I did not mean any harm, I absolutely love Pioneertown, and I simply got too excited talking about it.

“My first date with my husband was there, and our wedding was at the Soundstage. We wanted to become part of the community, so we invested in a home and other properties there.

“We are contacting any and all reporters to make sure they update their stories and correct the record. Again, I am so sorry to the people of Pioneertown; I would never want to disrespect the town’s history or any of the people who make it such a wonderful place.”

Despite her apology, fans criticized the “embarrassing” situation. Comments on platforms like Reddit expressed disbelief at Gold’s claims, highlighting her naivety in thinking she could make such assertions on a public reality show without repercussions.

In addition to Gold’s controversy, Selling Sunset Season 8 has also been critiqued for ongoing tension between realtors Chrishell Strause and Nicole Young, with Strause threatening to leave if Young returns for a potential Season 9.

Selling Sunset Season 8 is currently streaming on Netflix, showcasing the latest in realtor drama and reality television antics.