Beverly Hills is abuzz as an insider has exposed the dark side behind Sutton Stracke's couture gown and vintage champagne glasses. The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills cast member is accused of failing to pay at least seven bills related to a charity event she hosted during season 12 of the show
The event was filmed and aired in episode 8 of season 12, where Sutton appeared in a luxurious Schiaparelli gown to welcome the Housewives to a fundraising party in the name of supporting the arts education fund in Los Angeles. However, according to a former backstage employee who worked directly on the event, the entire backstage of the party was not as glamorous as on screen
“She spent thousands of dollars on flowers and crystal glasses but owed every single event planner every penny. Some waited four months to be paid, some haven’t been paid yet,” the whistleblower shared on condition of anonymity because they signed an NDA with Bravo
The source provided evidence in the form of emails and unpaid invoices showing that at least seven vendors, including the furniture rental unit, the stage decoration service, the supporting filming crew, and a group that specializes in guest logistics, had repeatedly sent payment requests for months but had not received a response from Sutton or her event manager
An anonymous vendor from Eventique West said bluntly, “I have done events for hundreds of celebrities but have never met anyone who ‘spends a lot on image’ but lacks transparency in logistics like Ms. Sutton. They use the charity image to polish and then let them deal with it themselves”
Bravo declined to comment on the incident, but a source from within the production revealed, “We know there was a delay in payment, but it was a personal issue between Sutton and the partner that had nothing to do with Bravo. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if it becomes the next story to be mentioned in the upcoming reunion season.”
Some RHOBH fans have also dug up scenes where Sutton directly scolded Erika Jayne about financial ethics and lack of transparency in previous seasons. Sutton's current involvement in the "charity debt default" scandal has made many people sarcastically say "Who is hypocritical now? Wearing Gucci doesn't mean you have character"
Sutton Stracke's side is still keeping absolutely silent, although she continues to post photos of parties, shopping, and promoting her own fashion boutique on Instagram as if nothing had happened
The incident is causing division in the RHOBH fan community when many people think that Sutton may have misplaced the paperwork during the busy filming, but many others call this a form of charity with other people's money
Bravo has not confirmed whether this drama will air in the next season or not, but one thing is for sure: in Beverly Hills, never think that checks will be signed on time just because the person writing them has style
