Lisa Vanderpump Required ‘Proof’ Before Backing Marciano Amid Allegations
Lisa Vanderpump shared her reasons for openly supporting Marciano Brunette after The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Demi Engemann accused him of sexual misconduct.
“I’m only very supportive of him because I reviewed all the footage, examined everything closely, and found no evidence to support the allegations against him,” Lisa, 65, told Us Weekly at the Vanderpump Dog Foundation Gala in Beverly Hills on Thursday, December 11.
She mentioned that “initially” she would have been “horrified” if the footage corroborated Demi’s claims against Marciano, 32.
“But you know, when you have cameras everywhere, and you have access to all of that as a producer on the show,” she added. “It’s unfortunate, but I believe all her associates on the show are somehow sharing the same perspective as me.”
After reviewing the evidence, Lisa decided to support Marciano. “But I always prefer to see the evidence and have proof of their innocence before I offer my support,” she concluded.
Demi, 31, accused Marciano of overstepping boundaries when season 2 of Vanderpump Villa premiered in May.
“I did come out with a pretty bold and truthful statement against Marciano [recently] because at that moment it felt like, ‘You’re lying about me. You were actually the predator.’ So I refuse to stay silent — I stand by that statement,” she exclusively told Us Weekly at the time. “There’s more unfolding behind the scenes that will come to light. I believe it has become a legal issue now, so I can’t say much more because I want to maintain the seriousness of this matter. However, I stand by those statements.”
Demi described it as “bold” of Marciano to “try to get ahead” of the situation.
“He’s attempting to protect himself. He’s in the wrong, and I believe he’s frightened. It’s fair to say that [the] majority of individuals who come forward to speak out on issues or downplay my experience are often engaging in damage control,” Demi asserted. “This may not always hold true but especially when it comes to people uninvolved in the situation expressing strong opinions about it. To me, it’s a clear indication of damage control.”
She concluded: “I’m trying to stay within my boundaries as much as I can. I aim to control what I can control, rely on my husband and family, and handle it as professionally as possible. Given that I was a victim in this ordeal, that’s how I’ve chosen to manage it. There isn’t a right or wrong way to navigate such a situation, but I am doing my best. Fortunately, I have my husband’s support and the truth on my side.”
Marciano refuted Demi’s account and claimed she was lying to obscure the truth of their close relationship from her husband, Bret Engemann. He has since initiated a defamation lawsuit against Demi, following her continued insistence on her version of events during season 3 of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.
“It’s incredibly unfortunate. I never expected this to happen, to trust someone so deeply — only to have it turn on a dime and affect me so profoundly,” he shared with Us on Thursday. “It takes a toll on your mental health, making it difficult to grow close to anyone afterward, as I never foresaw it escalating this far. Regrettably, I find myself in a position where I have to act because you’ve publicly stated things that I believe are untrue.”
Before Marciano pursued legal action, Lisa expressed her views on the controversy.
“I categorically know what transpired because we have cameras everywhere, and I’ve reviewed every bit of the footage,” she revealed to Access Hollywood in November. “When the women on the show express doubt about her, they have valid reasons. Any allegations against Marciano, I have the benefit of having all the footage.”
