Pioneertown, a close-knit community in the hi-desert, recently found itself at the center of an unexpected media storm. Claims made on the Netflix reality TV show, Selling Sunset, regarding the ownership and nature of Pioneertown were swiftly and decisively refuted by the town itself. The community’s reaction was a powerful demonstration of unity, effectively shutting down what they perceived as “nefarious” and “offensive” misrepresentations.
The controversy began when Selling Sunset cast member, Alanna Gold, made exaggerated statements about owning Pioneertown. This sparked immediate outrage and disbelief among residents and those invested in the town’s preservation. Social media platforms became a battleground of sorts, with a surge of posts from Pioneertown residents expressing their dismay and correcting the misinformation. Even mainstream media outlets, initially caught up in the sensationalism, began to question Alanna Gold’s claims as the true narrative of Pioneertown’s community ownership emerged. Many writers who initially reported the story admitted to being misled, highlighting a lapse in fact-checking.
A pivotal moment in the town’s defense was the powerful response published by the Pioneertown Gazette. Their statement eloquently articulated the offense caused by Alanna Gold’s claims, emphasizing that Pioneertown is a vibrant community of over 400 residents, privately owned by more than 100 independent parties. This well-crafted rebuttal resonated widely, further amplifying the message that Pioneertown is not the sole domain of any single individual. The Gazette’s response served as a clear demand for accountability and apology, underscoring the collective spirit of Pioneertown.
In the midst of this active pushback, Karma, associated with the Red Dog Saloon’s Bingo night for the Morongo Basin No Kill Shelter, conceived of a humorous yet impactful way to further the community’s message: a t-shirt. A design was quickly created and made available through TeePublic (https://www.teepublic.com/user/pioneertown-ca), with proceeds benefiting the animal shelter. Ironically, one of Alanna Gold’s Selling Sunset co-stars was later seen wearing the t-shirt, interpreted by some as a misguided attempt at mockery or a jab at Alanna Gold herself. Even local animal personalities, such as Wolfie the mini donkey from Mojave Mini Donkeys (www.mojaveminidonkeys.com), joined the online chorus of support for Pioneertown.
The narrative around Pioneertown’s ownership is indeed complex. Pioneertown Land Company LLC’s acquisition of a portion of Pioneertown is a matter of public record, easily researchable online. Reports suggest that Dave Corso, known for his involvement with Coachella Festival promotions, and Adam Gold (Alanna’s husband), with a minor stake, are key figures in this LLC. However, this ownership is limited to a small section of Pioneertown and does not encompass the entire town, which is the crucial point misrepresented in the Selling Sunset claims.
Ultimately, the situation, while initially frustrating and concerning, proved to be somewhat entertaining for the residents of Pioneertown. It underscored the strength and unity of the community in the face of external misrepresentation and reinforced the authentic spirit of this unique desert town. The resounding and unified response from Pioneertown served as a clear message: the town and its narrative belong to its community, not to fleeting reality television narratives.
