Alanna Gold, the newest face on the popular reality show Selling Sunset, is making headlines after sparking controversy regarding comments about Pioneertown, California. The luxury realtor, who recently joined season 8, stated on the show that she and her husband, Adam Gold, had acquired a portion of Pioneertown, a unique town located in San Bernardino County, California, known for its Old West charm and film history.
However, after the season premiere on Friday, Sept. 6, Alanna faced immediate backlash from residents of Pioneertown. The issue? Her claim of owning the town. Locals took to social media to express their disapproval, leading Alanna to issue a public apology on Monday, Sept. 9, clarifying her statements about Pioneer Town Alanna and her involvement with the community.
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Alanna Gold from “Selling Sunset” season 8 addresses her comments regarding Pioneertown, California.
In her apology, shared with PEOPLE, Alanna stated, “I want to reach out to personally say I am so deeply sorry for the confusion I have caused.” She directly addressed the contentious issue, admitting, “I certainly do not own Pioneertown, I never should have said that and I apologize for doing so.” Alanna attributed her misstatement to enthusiasm, explaining, “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.”
Adding a personal touch, the Selling Sunset personality shared her and her husband’s connection to the area, revealing that Pioneertown was the location for both their first date and wedding. She emphasized her intention to correct any misunderstandings and become a part of the community. “We wanted to become part of the community, so we invested in a home and other properties there,” Alanna explained. She reiterated her regret, saying, “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.”
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Aerial view of Pioneertown, California, as featured on “Selling Sunset” season 8, showcasing its unique desert landscape and Old West architecture.
Pioneertown Residents Respond to Alanna Gold’s Claims
Prior to Alanna’s apology, Pioneertown residents released their own statement on Instagram, directly refuting her claims as “baseless.” The community’s statement highlighted the rich history of Pioneertown, emphasizing that Alanna’s assertion “undermine[s] 78 years of internationally celebrated film, arts and cultural history.”
The residents’ statement further elaborated on the impact of such claims, noting they “belittle generations of artists, neighbors, nature lovers, community members, musicians, small business owners and otherwise magnificent people of Pioneertown.”
To clarify the ownership situation, the Pioneertown residents explained that the town is a vibrant community with over 400 inhabitants and “is privately owned by more than 100 independent parties.” Addressing Alanna Gold’s specific investment, the statement revealed, “Alanna ‘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 residents firmly concluded, “The claim that she owns the ‘entire town’ is verifiably false.”
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A street view of Pioneertown, California, highlighting the preserved Old West facades and unique character of this historic filming location.
Alanna Gold’s Vision for Pioneertown
In a previous interview with PEOPLE, Alanna Gold had expressed her and her husband’s long-standing desire to invest in Pioneertown. She explained, “we always knew we wanted to own a piece of property out there or be a part of the community somehow.”
Alanna shared that the opportunity arose in 2020 when they discovered a portion of the town was for sale. They saw this as “an opportunity to really make it vibrant again” and to “preserve a piece of history.” She highlighted Pioneertown’s unique history, mentioning its establishment in the 1940s with the help of singer and actor Roy Rogers. Alanna emphasized the town’s continued functionality, stating, “It’s really cool because most film sets function as ghost towns, and to this day, it still is a functioning town.”
Alanna Gold’s apology and clarification aim to smooth over the recent misunderstanding and pave the way for a more positive relationship with the Pioneertown community as she and her husband invest in and become a part of this historical and unique location.
