What happened between Britani Bateman and the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City cast in season 5 episode 15? Details explored

In the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City season 5, episode 15, tensions flared during the cast's trip to Puerto Vallarta when Britani Bateman was accused of secretly recording her castmates. Multiple members of the group alleged that Britani had been filming them without their consent, a claim she denied, leading to heated discussions both during the episode and on the RHOSLC After Show.

The accusations centered on Britani’s behavior during a Sprinter van ride and other moments on the trip. Some cast members asserted that her actions were inappropriate. Others, like Lisa Barlow, defended Britani and questioned the validity of the allegations.

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Real Housewives of Salt Lake City: Britani Bateman’s alleged recordings and the cast’s reactions

Allegations of secret recordings

Whitney Rose, Heather Gay, and Bronwyn Newport raised concerns about Britani’s actions during the trip, particularly in the sprinter van. Whitney stated on the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City After Show,

"I know she was filming us, because I caught her filming earlier. She was filming us walk through the airport and she sent it off to a group of friends."

This assertion suggested that Britani had recorded the group before the van incident and potentially shared the footage with others. Bronwyn Newport added,

"Britani could tell me 'til the day she dies that she wasn't recording us, [but] she was recording us. And she had been before that."

She emphasized her belief that Britani’s recordings were intentional, not casual or innocent. Heather Gay also weighed in, stating,

"Britani, love you, [but] she was fully recording. And she was doing it in a morally superior way, going 'Look at these crazy bitches.' ... None of her excuses were landing."

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The cast's concerns about consent

One of the primary points of contention was the issue of consent. Bronwyn emphasized on the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City After Show that participating in a reality show involved willingly allowing cameras into one’s personal life.

"It's about consent for me. I let Bravo into my home, and I take that very seriously. I consented to that. I did not consent to Britani having a recording of Lisa [Barlow] and I fighting over whether or not she believes my husband had an emotional affair and that I shared it with you guys."

She underscored her discomfort with Britani possessing recordings of private disputes outside the context of Real Housewives of Salt Lake City’s production. Bronwyn further explained,

"That's completely f----d up, that she would be in possession of that material. And she does not understand that."

Her comments highlighted the distinction between filming for the show with production's oversight and being recorded privately by a fellow cast member.

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Britani Bateman's response

Britani denied any malicious intent behind her recordings. On the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City After Show, she acknowledged taking videos. Still, she stated they were meant for personal use, specifically to share moments from the trip with her daughter, Olivia.

"I mean, if anyone had any proof that I had done anything to hurt anyone on purpose, that would be one thing. But no one did," she explained.

Britani claimed that the allegations were based on assumptions rather than evidence. Lisa Barlow supported Britani, recounting that Britani allowed the group to review her phone to dispel the accusations. Lisa stated,

"You let us look through your phone, there was nothing on there, so we looked at text messages with you and Jared [Osmond], we looked at messages with you and your kids, and like, nobody could delete [anything] that fast."

Lisa emphasized that, in her view, Britani's actions were not as nefarious as others suggested.

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