Alanna Gold, the fresh face gracing season 8 of the hit Netflix series Selling Sunset, is stepping back to address statements that have stirred up confusion among viewers and residents of a unique Californian locale. During her debut on the show, Gold mentioned purchasing a portion of Pioneertown, a town nestled in San Bernardino County, California, sparking intrigue and questions about her involvement with this distinctive place.
However, following the release of all 11 episodes of the latest Selling Sunset season on Friday, September 6th, Alanna faced unexpected criticism from the very community she mentioned. Pioneertown locals took issue with implications that Gold owned the town outright, leading the reality star to issue a public apology on Monday, September 9th to clear the air.
“I want to reach out to personally say I am so deeply sorry for the confusion I have caused,” began Gold in her apology shared with PEOPLE, acknowledging the misstep. “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,” she clarified, aiming to set the record straight regarding her connection to the famed “Pioneer Town Selling Sunset” narrative that unfolded on screen.
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Gold further elaborated on her genuine affection for Pioneertown, sharing a personal connection that extends beyond property investment. She revealed that the town holds sentimental value as the location for her first date and subsequent wedding with her husband, Adam Gold. Alanna emphasized her efforts to “correct the record” and ensure accurate representation of her involvement with Pioneertown.
“We wanted to become part of the community, so we invested in a home and other properties there,” she explained, highlighting their intention to integrate into the fabric of Pioneertown life rather than assume ownership of the entire locale. “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,” she reiterated in her apology.
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The apology from the Selling Sunset personality followed a strong statement issued by Pioneertown residents earlier that day on Instagram. The residents directly addressed Alanna’s claims as “baseless” and stressed that such assertions “undermine 78 years of internationally celebrated film, arts and cultural history” associated with Pioneertown.
Their statement passionately defended the town’s rich heritage, emphasizing that Alanna’s comments “belittle generations of artists, neighbors, nature lovers, community members, musicians, small business owners and otherwise magnificent people of Pioneertown.” The residents’ post served to firmly protect the established identity and collective ownership of their unique community.
The statement from Pioneertown clarified the town’s ownership structure, noting that over 400 individuals reside there and it “is privately owned by more than 100 independent parties.” Specifically addressing Alanna’s investment, the residents explained she “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.” This detailed explanation aimed to provide factual context and directly counter the notion of single ownership portrayed on Selling Sunset. “The claim that she owns the ‘entire town’ is verifiably false,” the town’s statement concluded, leaving no room for misinterpretation.
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In a previous interview with PEOPLE, Alanna had expressed her and her husband’s long-held desire to invest in Pioneertown, stating, “we always knew we wanted to own a piece of property out there or be a part of the community somehow.” She further explained that upon discovering a portion of the town for sale in 2020, they viewed it as an “opportunity to really make it vibrant again” and “preserve a piece of history.”
Alanna also shared insights into Pioneertown’s fascinating origins, revealing it was “created in the 1940s” with the help of singer and actor Roy Rogers. Highlighting its unique characteristic, she noted, “It’s really cool because most film sets function as ghost towns, and to this day, it still is a functioning town.” This historical context underscores Pioneertown’s special status as both a living community and a piece of Hollywood’s past.
In conclusion, the recent narrative surrounding Alanna Gold and Pioneertown serves as a reminder of the complexities of reality television and the importance of clear communication. While Alanna’s enthusiasm for Pioneertown was evident on Selling Sunset, her statements regarding ownership were misconstrued, leading to a necessary clarification and apology. The incident ultimately highlights the deep connection and protective spirit of the Pioneertown residents towards their unique and historically significant home, ensuring the true story of this “pioneer town selling sunset” is accurately understood.
