Former ‘Real Housewives’ Star Caroline Manzo Sues Bravo and Producers Over Alleged Sexual Harassment Incident
Caroline Manzo, known for her role in “The Real Housewives of New Jersey,” has filed a lawsuit against Bravo and the producers of “Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip” over an alleged incident of sexual harassment involving co-star Brandi Glanville. The lawsuit, filed in New York State Supreme Court, claims that Glanville sexually assaulted and harassed Manzo during the filming of the upcoming season of “Ultimate Girls Trip” in Morocco in January 2023.
Manzo accuses the show’s producers of knowingly hiring Glanville despite being aware of her prior sexually harassing conduct. The lawsuit also names Warner Bros. Entertainment and NBCUniversal Media as defendants. Manzo’s attorney, Derek Smith, states that the case is about the networks prioritizing ratings and profit over the well-being of their talent. He emphasizes that sexual harassment should never be entertainment.
The lawsuit alleges that Glanville kissed Manzo multiple times without her consent, which made Manzo uncomfortable during filming. The lawsuit further claims that Glanville mounted Manzo on the couch, held her down, and forcibly kissed and humped her. The lawsuit states that these actions triggered traumatic memories of Manzo’s past sexual assault experiences.
Despite Manzo’s distress, the lawsuit alleges that the defendants continued filming her. Manzo sought help from co-star Alex McCord, a former reality TV star and psychologist, to cope with her emotional distress. However, the network prioritized filming over Manzo’s safety and well-being.
The cast of “Real Housewives: Ultimate Girls Trip” includes Manzo, Glanville, McCord, Vicki Gunvalson, Gretchen Rossi, Eva Marcille, Phaedra Parks, and Camille Grammer Meyer. Each season of “Girls Trip” features an ensemble cast of former and current Housewives who travel to different destinations to engage in fights, drama, and intimate conversations about their personal lives. The Morocco season has not yet aired.
If you are a survivor of sexual assault, RAINN offers support through the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656.HOPE & online.rainn.org).
The allegations made by Caroline Manzo against Bravo and the producers of “Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip” are serious and concerning. The lawsuit claims that Manzo was subjected to sexual assault and harassment by her co-star, Brandi Glanville, during the filming of the show in Morocco. These allegations shed light on the dark side of reality TV and raise questions about the responsibility of networks and producers in ensuring the safety and well-being of their talent.
It is distressing to learn that Manzo’s traumatic past experiences were triggered by Glanville’s actions. The lawsuit alleges that Glanville’s behavior not only made Manzo uncomfortable but also caused her to relive her previous sexual assaults. This highlights the potential emotional and psychological harm that reality TV can inflict on its participants.
The lawsuit also raises concerns about the decision-making process of the show’s producers. Despite being aware of Glanville’s prior sexually harassing conduct, they allegedly chose to cast her in the show. This raises questions about their priorities and whether they prioritize ratings and profit over the safety and well-being of their talent.
Caroline Manzo’s attorney, Derek Smith, emphasizes that this case is about holding Bravo, Peacock, and NBC accountable for their actions. He argues that sexual harassment should never be entertainment and calls for an end to the severe emotional and physical harm caused by reality TV.
The cast of “Real Housewives: Ultimate Girls Trip” is a mix of familiar faces from various Housewives franchises. The show brings together these women in faraway destinations to create drama and engage in intimate conversations about their personal lives. However, the allegations made by Manzo cast a shadow over the upcoming season and raise questions about the ethics of such shows.
It is crucial to take these allegations seriously and ensure that the truth is uncovered. The lawsuit filed by Caroline Manzo against Bravo and the producers of “Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip” brings attention to the need for accountability and the importance of prioritizing the well-being of reality TV participants. As the case unfolds, it will be interesting to see how the networks and producers respond and what measures they take to address these serious allegations.