Topline
Bravo said Friday morning it is investigating how an audio recording of the already-filmed, yet-to-air “Summer House” reunion—highly anticipated because it covers the viral dating scandal involving stars Amanda Batula, Ciara Miller and West Wilson—leaked, slamming it as a “serious breach of trust.”
Ciara Miller and Amanda Batula are at the center of a viral dating scandal that rocked “Summer House” fans. (Photo by: Charles Sykes/Bravo via Getty Images)
Charles Sykes/Bravo via Getty ImagesKey Facts
Bravo announced the investigation in a social media post, saying the leaked audio represents a “clear lack of respect for the cast, crew, and the integrity of the production process.”
“We take this matter very seriously and have launched a full investigation,” the post says, adding the network will “take appropriate action based on our findings.”
The cast of “Summer House” filmed the reunion for the show’s 10th season on Thursday in New York, after which host Andy Cohen said in a social media post it was “one of the most intense” of the hundred-plus Bravo reunions he’s moderated, teasing fans that “every question” they want answered was asked.
Viewers of “Summer House” have been eagerly anticipating the reunion to learn how West and Batula would address their controversial romance, which rocked Bravo fans because Batula is dating the ex-boyfriend of her one-time best friend and fellow castmate, Ciara Miller.
An audio recording depicting a heated clash between Miller, Batula and West circulated the internet after the reunion was filmed, though it’s unclear where it came from or who leaked it.
Cohen condemned the leaks as “disgusting and illegal” in a post on Friday morning, calling it “disrespectful” to the cast, who “laid their souls out emotionally for ten hours yesterday.”
Forbes has reached out to Bravo for comment.
What Do We Know About The “summer House” Scandal?
West and Batula sparked a firestorm of controversy among “Summer House” fans when they confirmed their romance in late March. West previously dated Miller, who was best friends with Batula, and Batula had recently ended her marriage to Kyle Cooke, another cast member. Bravo fans interpreted the romance between West and Batula as a betrayal to Miller, whose relationship with West had been documented on the show in earlier seasons. In a previous “Summer House” reunion, West told Miller he could not commit to a relationship with her, while she admitted she still had feelings for him. Rumors began circulating social media in March that West and Batula were dating, and Cohen asked West about the gossip in an appearance on “Watch What Happens Live.” West called her a “friend” on Cohen’s show, but one week later, West and Batula posted statements to their Instagram stories confirming their romance. “We’ve seen the growing online speculation, so while this is still very new, we wanted to provide some clarity. It was never our intention to purposely hide anything,” they said, saying they needed “a little space to process things privately” and their connection “grew out of a genuine, long-standing friendship.” Many “Summer House” fans rushed to Miller’s support. In an interview last week, Miller said she felt “disregarded in such a disrespectful way” by Batula, whom she “championed” during her divorce from Cooke.
Tangent
Miller, who previously starred on “The Traitors,” was announced as part of the “Dancing with the Stars” season 35 cast earlier this week. Rob Mills, executive vice president of unscripted and alternative entertainment at Walt Disney Television, told The Hollywood Reporter he met with Miller shortly after news of the “Summer House” scandal broke. “I can’t speak for her, but I would think her heartbreak is pretty fresh,” Mills said, adding a stint on the dance competition show “seemed really exciting” for her.
Further Reading
What You Need to Know About the ‘Summer House’ Scandal (New York Times)