Alanna Gold, a newcomer on “Selling Sunset,” has sincerely apologized to the residents of Pioneertown, California, for erroneously stating on the latest season of the Netflix series that she owned the town. This apology followed a public rebuke from Pioneertown representatives who described her statement as a disregard for the town’s 78-year history and its long-standing residents.
In a message viewed by several outlets, Alanna expressed profound remorse for the misunderstanding, acknowledging that she does not, in fact, own Pioneertown and never intended to offend by claiming otherwise. She attributed the misstatement to her profound affection for Pioneertown, a place of significant personal importance where she had her first date with her husband and where they were married at the renowned Soundstage.
Alanna went on to explain that her and her husband’s purchase of a home and several properties in the area was meant to integrate them into the community, which unfortunately contributed to the misunderstanding about her purported ownership of the town.
Local officials of Pioneertown clarified that the town, spanning a square mile and home to over 400 people, is predominantly owned by over 100 independent artists. They noted that Alanna holds a minor, non-dominant share in a company that owns only 6 out of the 35 lots on Mane Street, which represents less than 1% of the entire 640 acres of Pioneertown. Hence, her claim of owning the entire town was deemed not just exaggerated but also factually wrong.
The issuance of the apology was a direct result of demands from town officials who strongly criticized her statements online. The situation serves as a reminder of the critical need for accuracy and honoring the histories of communities, particularly one as culturally rich as Pioneertown.
