Bravo execs are terrified that the network will be drawn into Denise Richards’ dirty divorce after the reality star filed court papers accusing her estranged husband, Aaron Phypers, of horrific domestic abuse — including threatening to kill her and causing her “at least three concussions.”
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum, 54, has alleged that her ex often assaulted her throughout their six-year marriage, and hacked into her cellphone and laptop.
Denise received a restraining order against Phypers, 52, who calls her allegations “untrue” and says they’re “being weaponized to damage my reputation and distract from the truth,” per People.
Now, sources behind the scenes at the reality TV network are on pins and needles, worried that damning unused footage from RHOBH may be subpoenaed as evidence in the case.
“They’re terrified that the cameras caught something,” a production insider says. “Bravo is concerned that if even a hint of this behavior was captured on camera during filming, it could be in trouble for allowing it to take place on the network’s watch.
“The legal department is on high alert. They are reviewing all Denise-related materials and production notes immediately. They know the stakes.”
The case couldn’t come at a worse time for the beleaguered network, which faces lawsuits from other former housewives: Leah McSweeney alleges that the network exploited her alcoholism, Caroline Manzo charges that she was sexually assaulted by Brandi Glanville, and Glanville says an executive producer sent her sexually explicit messages, per Business Insider.
Getty ImagesBravo has insisted that the claims are not valid and filed motions to dismiss the suits.
“It’s like everything is crashing down at once,” one Bravo staffer admits. “Getting dragged into Denise’s divorce is the last thing they need or want.”
Some fans are incensed over the network’s silence on Denise’s case, according to another insider.
“The network hasn’t issued a formal statement,” one source gripes. “They’re scared that anything they say could be used against them later in court!”
