The controversy surrounding Brandi Glanville’s provocative promotional photos has officially escalated into a full-blown media crisis. On Thursday morning, the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) issued a $15,000 fine to Usual Wines for “violating advertising standards and potentially misrepresenting the image of the wine industry to the public.”
The fine follows a series of topless photos shared by The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum Brandi Glanville, 52, used to promote Usual Wines. The images, now circulating widely online, show Brandi with wet hair, unclothed from the waist up, her chest covered only by the hands of her talent manager, James Maas — who also appeared in the shoot.
Although Brandi appears confident and provocative in the shoot, the release of the images came at a time when she was still publicly battling a mysterious illness that left her face disfigured. The juxtaposition of “sexy imagery despite ongoing health struggles” and the promotion of an alcoholic product triggered intense backlash from the public and regulatory bodies in California.
According to ABC’s statement, the photos violated Section 25503 of California's Alcohol Beverage Advertising Law, which prohibits campaigns that are “lewd, sexually provocative, or exploitative of the human body in a misleading manner.”
“Using the image of a semi-nude woman undergoing medical treatment to promote wine is not only illegal — it violates the ethical standards of the alcohol industry,” an ABC spokesperson told the press.
ABC also emphasized in its official penalty notice that “the inclusion of sensitive imagery during a time when the individual was undergoing facial disfigurement treatment created a public perception that undermines consumer trust in the wine industry.”
Usual Wines has yet to release an official statement, though sources say the company is reviewing the entire partnership with Brandi and “may consider terminating the contract earlier than planned.”
As for Brandi, the reality star has remained defiant. On her podcast Brandi Glanville Unfiltered, she said:
“I don’t regret the shoot. That was me reclaiming my body — no matter what my face looks like. I’m a woman, and I’m still me, beautiful or not.”
However, public opinion remains sharply divided. While some fans praised Brandi for her boldness, others slammed the campaign as “manipulative” and accused her of “using pain for attention” or “blurring the line between personal trauma and product marketing.”
Media outlets also began dissecting Brandi’s contractual terms with Usual Wines — reportedly, she was obligated to deliver at least one promotional shoot during Q1 of 2025, or face financial penalties. This revelation further fueled speculation that the topless photoshoot was more contractual obligation than personal empowerment, especially as she was still visibly unwell.
The situation continues to snowball, as consumer advocacy groups, women’s organizations, and marketing ethics watchdogs call for the alcohol industry to re-establish clear boundaries around ethical branding. Meanwhile, Brandi finds herself — once again — caught in the crossfire between bodily autonomy and public scrutiny.
