'Selling Sunset' star Alanna Gold said she owned a California desert town. Now, she says she doesn't. (2024)

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  • Netflix's "Selling Sunset" star Alanna Gold previously said she owned a town in California.
  • However, Gold has a stake in Pioneertown Land Company, which owns only seven parcels in the town.
  • On Tuesday, she apologized to the residents of Pioneertown for mischaracterizing her ownership.

'Selling Sunset' star Alanna Gold said she owned a California desert town. Now, she says she doesn't. (2)

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'Selling Sunset' star Alanna Gold said she owned a California desert town. Now, she says she doesn't. (3)

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"Selling Sunset" star Alanna Gold apologized Tuesday for saying she owned Pioneertown, a small desert town about two hours east of Los Angeles.

Gold, an LA-based real-estate agent with the Oppenheim Group, and her husband Adam purchased a portion of the historic town, founded in 1946 by Hollywood legends.

The broker-turned-reality star made her series debut on the latest season of the hit Netflix reality show "Selling Sunset," a binge-worthy series that follows the real estate agency, the Oppenheim Group, and its agents around glittering LA. In an episode, Gold told her colleagues that she owned Pioneertown, even taking some agents to the historic small town.

After "Selling Sunset" premiered last Friday, it wasn't long before Pioneertown residents called on Gold and "Selling Sunset" to formally apologize for her mischaracterization. One owner told Business Insider the ordeal was "really upsetting."

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Pioneertown residents called on Gold and 'Selling Sunset' to apologize

'Selling Sunset' star Alanna Gold said she owned a California desert town. Now, she says she doesn't. (5)

"Pioneertown is a mile-square census-designated community with over 400 residents and is privately owned by more than 100 independent parties," the residents said Monday in a statement shared on The Pioneertown Gazette's Instagram page titled, "The people of Pioneertown kindly request an apology from Selling Sunset & Alanna Gold."

"Mrs. Gold has a small minority non-controlling interest in an entity that owns six of thirty-five parcels in the Mane Street area," the statement continued, "constituting less than 1% of Pioneertown's total 640 acres. The claim that she owns the 'entire town' is verifiably false."

"If you spent your whole life trying to create a business, and somebody else comes along and says that they own it, that's really upsetting." — Red Dog Saloon owner Ben Loescher

In a statement sent to Business Insider, Gold apologized.

"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," Gold said Tuesday. "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. My first date with my husband was there, and our wedding was at the Soundstage."

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In a previous interview, Gold told BI about the love she and her husband, Adam Gold, who works in entertainment and hospitality, had for the town even though they're primarily based in LA. She said they also had their 2022 wedding ceremony there.

Longtime Pioneertown residents fear newcomers could threaten the town's character

'Selling Sunset' star Alanna Gold said she owned a California desert town. Now, she says she doesn't. (6)

Many longtime residents feel that the influx of investors and affluent newcomers — who moved into Pioneertown during a period when the land was cheap and plentiful — could threaten its unique character.

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In emails sent to Business Insider, locals also griped that Gold's previous claims of owning the town caused confusion and undermined their businesses and hard work.

Several publications, including Business Insider, reported that Gold said she purchased the town in 2020.

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"We all know the show's not real — I think even people watching 'Selling Sunset' probably know that it's totally made up," Ben Loescher, the owner of Pioneertown's Red Dog Saloon, told Business Insider. "However, the surrounding publicity and all of the articles that have been published, presumably at the invitation of those involved, caused a lot of confusion."

Founded in 1946 by Hollywood legend Roy Rogers, actor Dick Curtis, and others as a live-in Old West movie set and community for film industry workers, Pioneertown now has around 400 residents and is privately owned by more than 100 different parties.

Over the decades, it has become a popular destination for filmmakers and visitors seeking an authentic taste of the Wild West. Notable establishments include the Red Dog Saloon, Pioneertown Motel, music venue Pappy and Harriet's, and the Pioneer Bowl.

The Golds are minority investors in Pioneertown Land Company, which is owned by David Corso, the founder and CEO of Corso Marketing Group. According to public records reviewed by BI, Pioneertown Land Company owns seven parcels of land in the town, acquired in 2021 and 2022.

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"I think that if you spent your whole life trying to create a business, and somebody else comes along and says that they own it, that's really upsetting," Loescher added.

Disclosure: Mathias Döpfner, CEO of Business Insider's parent company, Axel Springer, is a Netflix board member.

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'Selling Sunset' star Alanna Gold said she owned a California desert town. Now, she says she doesn't. (2024)

FAQs

Does Alanna actually own Pioneertown? ›

“I want to reach out to personally say I am so deeply sorry for the confusion I have caused,” she began, before conceding that she does not own Pioneertown—and never has.”I certainly do not own Pioneertown, I never should have said that and I apologize for doing so.

Does Alanna really own a town? ›

Selling Sunset's Alanna Gold does not 'own Pioneertown,'” the statement began. “The people of Pioneertown kindly request an apology from Selling Sunset and Alanna Gold,” the statement continued.

Does Alana Gold own Pioneertown? ›

“I am so deeply sorry for the confusion I have caused. I certainly do not own Pioneertown, I never should have said that,” Gold wrote in a note sent to The Times. “I absolutely love Pioneertown and I simply got too excited talking about it.”

Where is Alanna Gold from? ›

Alanna Gold (née Whittaker), 32, grew up in Nobleton, a small town located outside of Toronto, Canada.

Who owns Pioneertown, CA? ›

In conclusion, Pioneertown, California, is not owned by any single entity but is a mosaic of private ownership and community stewardship. Its rich history as a film set, combined with the passion of its residents and business owners, makes Pioneertown a unique destination that captures the spirit of the American West.

Where does Alanna Masterson live? ›

After some time on Long Island, the family later relocated to Los Angeles.

Who is Alanna Golds' husband? ›

Alanna married businessman Adam Gold in 2022 in a Californian desert ceremony. Sharing wedding photos, the couple wrote, "It's hard to put into words how special this day was. What an honor to get married in such a place surrounded by an intimate group of friends and family."

Who is the best gold seller in the world? ›

Summary of the Best Online Gold Dealers of 2024
  • American Hartford Gold: Best Reputation.
  • APMEX: Best Product Selection.
  • Goldco: Best Investor Education.
  • JM Bullion: Best for Transparency.
  • Orion Metal Exchange: Best for Lowest-Price Guarantee.
Aug 28, 2024

Is Alanna Gold a model? ›

She's a model

Alanna Gold. Represented by CGM-Caroline Gleason Management, a prominent Miami agency, Gold has had a wide range of experience in the modeling industry.

What country is Alanna from? ›

Alanna is a feminine name of German, Irish, English, and Hawaiian origin. A variant spelling of Alana, it means "attractive," "handsome," and "peaceful" from its Irish and English roots. In Hawaiian, it means "offering" —a description that fits baby to a tee!

Where is Alana from Selling Sunset from? ›

Speaking to TODAY.com, Alanna explains her road to working with luxury real estate in southern California. “I came from a very small town in Canada. It was outside of Toronto, maybe 45 minutes to an hour outside,” she says. Originally, she studied science with the intention of becoming a veterinarian.

Where is gold top milk from? ›

The original 'Gold Foil' Unhomogenised milk delivered in a 1 pint glass bottle. With around 5% fat content and a smooth, rich taste, Channel Island Milk from Jersey and Guernsey cows is great as a special treat or used in milk desserts such as bread and butter pudding or custard.

Where is Inca gold from? ›

Answer and Explanation: Inca gold probably came in the form of tributes, or payments, from conquered tribes and from panning for gold in rivers or finding it on the ground; The Inca may have also done some primitive mining to obtain gold.

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