So much for that “friendship” between long time frenemies Gretchen Rossi and Tamra Barney!
According to a new report by TMZ this morning, Gretchen, star of the Real Housewives of Orange County, is calling her costar Tamra’s recent engagement to beau Eddie Judge a scam.
The reason? Sources close to Gretchen reveal she is telling others that Bravo producers first approached her boyfriend Slade Smiley about a proposal, wanting him to plan it in time for the show’s finale. The show producers reportedly tried to bribe Slade with an exotic proposal destination and a free ring.
CLICK HERE TO SEE A PHOTO OF TAMRA’S ENGAGEMENT RING!
But, the always honorable Slade reportedly turned down the proposal offer, and then the producers turned to Tamra and Eddie out of spite. The two accepted the offer and had Bravo come on their Italian vacation to film their engagement for this season’s finale.
Hmm, if this story sounds eerily familiar, it’s because the NY Post reported two weeks ago that Gretchen and Slade were trying to get Bravo to pay for their engagement ring and an exotic trip for Slade to propose. The article also claimed Gretchen was jealous of Tamra’s engagement and wanted to one up her.
So it seems Gretchen thinks Tamra was the one who leaked the NY Post article, which might be the case, and this TMZ article is in retaliation.
Whatever the case is, Tamra is responding to the TMZ story, stating that she is “sick” and “hurt” over Gretchen’s comments. By the way, even though Gretchen isn’t going on the record with this story, there’s a 99.9889% chance she was the one who leaked it to TMZ. Most of the gossip stories that end up on TMZ are leaked to them by the celebs.
Tamra made the following tweets this morning –
“I am sick to my stomach and hurt by Gretchen’s tmz article about my engagement. Jealousy really turns people ugly!”
“And this is a perfect example of things she has done to me through out the years”
Tamra also posted the following statement on her Facebook page –
“After reading the TMZ article that was released. I hope that Gretchen does the RIGHT thing. This is a very hurtful story about my engagement. This is a special time in my life and to have a cast member try an knock me down out of jealousy is very hurtful. Im sorry Bravo wouldn’t buy your ring and send you to Italy. Eddie did it his way on his dime! Bottom line is if you love someone the size of the ring and where you propose really doesn’t matter.”
Just like that, the Tamra/Gretchen feud rages on! Must say I wasn’t buying their faux friendship to begin with!
While, there might be some truth to this story, such as Bravo paid for the exotic trip for Tamra and Eddie, I refuse to believe Gretchen and Slade would turn down Bravo’s offer for a free ring! In fact, Slade was spotted shopping for engagement rings for Gretchen earlier this month. So, if Slade is planning to propose to Gretchen anyways, why would he turn down Bravo’s offer for a free ring and vaca? Makes no sense!
[Photos Credit: WENN]
TELL US – THOUGHTS ON THE TMZ ARTICLE? DO YOU BELIEVE IT? DO YOU BELIEVE GRETCHEN/SLADE WOULD TURN DOWN BRAVO’S OFFER? DO YOU THINK TAMRA LEAKED THE NY POST ARTICLE?
UPDATE – Gretchen is now denying she leaked the report to TMZ. But as we reported above, it’s highly unlikely TMZ would publish the story if it didn’t come from her. Gretchen’s statement, posted on her Facebook page, is below –
“Whoever keeps trying to stir up things between @TamraBarney and me, needs to stop making up lies! I never said any of those things TMZ is reporting and have been nothing but happy for Tamra and her engagement. Last week I was begging for a ring from Bravo now this week her engagement is a sham! Give me a break! Why can’t anyone just be happy for her and I! We are both happy and in a good place in our lives!”
A rep for Bravo is also calling the report “inaccurate.”
