Your support helps us to tell the story
In my reporting on women's reproductive rights, I've witnessed the critical role that independent journalism plays in protecting freedoms and informing the public.
Your support allows us to keep these vital issues in the spotlight. Without your help, we wouldn't be able to fight for truth and justice.
Every contribution ensures that we can continue to report on the stories that impact lives
Kelly Rissman
US News Reporter
Selling Sunset star Alanna Gold has reportedly apologized for making false claims that she owned an unincorporated California community in the High Desert near Los Angeles.
The 32-year-old real estate agent made the assertion during her debut on the newest season of the Netflix reality TV series, telling her co-stars that she owned a “little Western town in the desert” called Pioneertown.
“I’m (the) sheriff of the town, yeehaw!” she declared. When her boss Jason Oppenheim asked her how much he would have to pay to buy the town from her, she responded: “You guys don’t get to know that. You can’t have it, it’s ours.”
On Monday (September 9), the residents of Pioneertown released a statement via the Pioneer Gazette refuting Gold’s claims and demanding an apology.
“Selling Sunset’s Alanna Gold does not ‘own Pioneertown’,” the message read. “The people of Pioneertown kindly request an apology from Selling Sunset and Alanna Gold.”
It continued: “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.”
The statement went on to further explain that Pioneertown is a “mile-square census designated community with over 400 residents and is privately owned by more than 100 independent parties.”
It clarified that Gold “has a small minority non-controlling interest in an entity that owns six of thirty five parcels in the Mane Street area, constituting less than 1% of Pioneertown’s total 640 acres. The claim that she owns the ‘entire town’ is verifiably false.”
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days
New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days
New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled
A representative for Gold told The Independent that the reality star has been reaching out to Pioneertown residents to apologize for the situation.
Her letter reads: “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.
Gold joined Selling Sunset’s eighth season, which premiered on Netflix on September 6. The hit reality series follows a group of Los Angeles real estate agents from The Oppenheim Group who work with affluent clients to purchase luxurious properties.
