Selling Sunset star Alanna Gold has issued an apology to Pioneertown residents after saying she "owns" the California town in a recent episode.
The reality TV star made her Netflix debut on the hit real estate show, with its most recent season arriving on the streaming service last week.
In one of the latest episodes, Gold told her co-star Bre Tiesi that she "owns" Pioneertown - a small California community in the High Desert in San Bernardino County - before arranging a girls' trip there to give her fellow agents a tour.
However, residents of Pioneertown were quick to criticise Gold via a statement shared by the Pioneertown Gazette on Instagram, which said her "baseless claims" about owning the town "undermines 78 years of internationally celebrated film, arts and cultural history".
Related: Best film and TV tours for 2024
The statement continued: "These claims belittle generations of artists, neighbours, nature lovers, community members, musicians, small business owners and otherwise magnificent people of Pioneertown.
What to Read Next
"Pioneertown is a mile-square census-designated community with over 400 residents and is privately owned by more than 100 independent parties.
"Mrs Gold 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 claim that she owns the 'entire town' is verifiably false."
Related: Selling Sunset's Chrishell reveals scenes that "didn't make it" into season 8
Gold has now responded to the backlash in a statement shared by People, saying she wants to "reach out to personally say I am so deeply sorry for the confusion I have caused".
"I certainly do not own Pioneertown, I never should have said that and I apologize for doing so," she continued. "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."
Gold explained that she and her husband had their first date and wedding in Pioneertown, before investing in a "home and other properties there" because they wanted to "become part of the community".
However, she said that she is now working to "correct the record," adding: "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."
Selling Sunset seasons 1-8 are streaming now on Netflix.
Social Executive, Entertainment Portfolio After completing her joint honours degree in Journalism and English Literature at Cardiff University, Iona joined Digital Spy as a Content Production Intern in 2022, where she wrote across both news and features, specialising in TV and movies. Following her internship, Iona continued contributing to the site as a freelance reporter, becoming social executive for the Hearst UK entertainment portfolio in summer 2025. Iona now leads the DS social channels, covering red carpets with stars such as Paul Mescal, Austin Butler, and more.
