“Real Housewives of New Jersey” star Caroline Manzo has filed a lawsuit against Bravo and its affiliated production companies, including Forest Productions, Warner Bros. Entertainment, NBCUniversal Media, Shed Media, and Peacock TV. The lawsuit revolves around an alleged incident involving Brandi Glanville, a former cast member of “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,” during the filming of the reality series spinoff, “Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip.”
According to the lawsuit obtained by Page Six, Caroline Manzo claims that Brandi Glanville sexually harassed her during their time filming in Morocco. Manzo alleges that Glanville forced herself onto her and kissed her without consent. The lawsuit further describes an incident where Glanville mounted Manzo on a couch, forcibly squeezed her cheeks together, and thrust her tongue in Manzo’s mouth while humping her. These actions reportedly triggered traumatic memories of a sexual assault that Manzo experienced when she was only seven years old.
Caroline Manzo’s lawsuit primarily targets Bravo and the production companies involved in the filming of “Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip.” Manzo asserts that Bravo and its affiliates regularly provide the cast with alcohol, leading them to become severely intoxicated. She claims that the network then encourages and allows cast members to sexually harass one another, all in the pursuit of higher ratings. Manzo’s lawsuit includes allegations of negligence, sexual harassment, sex/gender discrimination, sexual battery, and other causes of action that she believes violate state laws in California and New York.
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Notably, Caroline Manzo is not suing Brandi Glanville directly. Instead, she is holding Bravo, the production companies, and showrunners accountable for allegedly encouraging Glanville’s sexually offensive and harassing behavior. Glanville herself has denied any wrongdoing and maintains her innocence. She has previously taken to Twitter to express her belief that the producers bear responsibility for the actions that occur on the show.
The alleged incident between Caroline Manzo and Brandi Glanville took a toll on Manzo’s mental and emotional well-being. The lawsuit highlights that Manzo experienced distress and discomfort throughout the encounter. Moreover, the incident triggered traumatic memories of her past sexual assault, causing further emotional distress for Manzo. The lawsuit emphasizes the importance of protecting cast members’ safety and well-being on reality TV shows, arguing that Bravo failed to prioritize these concerns.
Bravo, Peacock, and NBC Universal have declined to comment on the lawsuit brought forth by Caroline Manzo. As the legal proceedings unfold, both parties will have the opportunity to present their respective arguments and evidence. Manzo’s attorney, Derek Smith, expressed outrage at the conduct of Bravo, Peacock, and NBC, emphasizing that sexual harassment should never be entertainment. The case will ultimately be decided by a jury.
The scandal surrounding Caroline Manzo’s lawsuit has raised questions about the future of “Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip.” Sources have revealed that Peacock was considering not airing the Morocco season of the show in light of the controversy. NBC reportedly expressed frustration with Bravo, holding the network responsible for allowing production company Shed Media to negatively impact multiple shows, including “Real Housewives of New York.”
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Interestingly, Brandi Glanville has made her own allegations against Bravo and Peacock. Glanville’s tweets have indicated that producers heavily encourage cast members to consume excessive amounts of alcohol. She suggests that this encouragement is intended to provoke outrageous behavior and create drama for the sake of ratings. Glanville’s claims align with Caroline Manzo’s assertions in her lawsuit, further supporting the argument that the network prioritizes sensational content over cast members’ well-being.
Caroline Manzo’s lawsuit against Bravo aims to hold the network accountable for its alleged role in fostering a toxic and unsafe environment for cast members. By pursuing legal action, Manzo hopes to discourage Bravo from continuing to sacrifice the safety of its cast members for the sake of ratings and profits. The lawsuit seeks not only financial damages but also a change in the industry’s treatment of reality TV stars, emphasizing the importance of their well-being and mental health.