We usually love a reality TV villain, but the intense rivalries on Netflix’s Selling Sunset can sometimes feels more like bullying, causing many viewers to condemn the show’s resident ‘mean girls’, Christine Quinn and Davina Potratz. But according to boss Jason Oppeinheim, the pair are actually just “misunderstood”.
In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, the brokerage owner defended the two, calling the extent of the backlash “totally unwarranted”.
“Christine—she can be polarising, and it comes across,” he said.
“I think Davina can have a kind of rough honest to her, and I think that comes across. But I certainly think that the type of vitriol out there is totally unwarranted. I mean, these are good women… and good people and good friends.”
Potratz in particular has come under fire after her seemingly apathetic response to co-star Chrishell Stause’s divorce.
When told that Stause was notified of her divorce via text message, Potratz took the stance that there were “two sides” to every story.
The comment came after a history of tension between the two, with Potratz claiming that Stause was “not two-faced, but headed in that direction” back in season one of the hit show.
But Oppenheim insisted that Potratz didn’t have ill-intentions when it came to some of her comments.
“I think that she has an honesty about her that I think can be misconstrued … perhaps misinterpreted. I would certainly say she’s a good woman, for sure. There’s nobody at this brokerage that I wouldn’t say that about,” he said.
The show was created by Adam DiVello, the same brains behind The Hills—another show that relies on its shameless villains to bring the entertainment.
But when asked by Variety if she believed she had been portrayed wrongly, Potratz said she didn’t believe it was intentional editing but that she wishes viewers saw her other sides.
“The show doesn’t define me. It doesn’t define anyone,” she said. “It’s not fair. I wish you saw more of my whole personality. I’m very loyal, and funny, and sweet—and maybe that’s not as exciting or interesting. They have other drama to focus on.”
Quinn, the show’s more flamboyant ‘villain’ has also spoken out about her depiction on the show.
Talking to The Sunday Times, the 31-year-old admitted that while she understands that it’s people that don’t really know her, the trolls can be difficult to deal with.
“People that don’t know me say hurtful things and I’m just like, ‘Ugh, whatever, I don’t know these people’. But when I hear stuff from other people… That’s upsetting. Sometimes it hurts my feelings, sometimes it makes me cry,” she said.
But while the responses can weigh heavy, the real estate maven said that she has no intention of changing up her persona on the show.
“That’s what people love about me. But obviously there are different sides to me. On the show, it’s one note. But I’m a multifaceted villain.“
And we can’t say that we don’t love to watch…
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