Whitney Rose Addresses Explosive Alibaba Rumors on ‘Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen’
Season 5 of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City is just heating up. But we’ve already witnessed some serious drama. During episode 4, Whitney Rose responded to rumors that she’s selling “Alibaba” jewelry as her own. Castmate Heather Gay heard the gossip through Meredith Marks. Then, Gay questioned Rose about “white labeling jewelry from China,” with Rose calling the accusation “really sh*tty.” Now, the PRISM jewelry founder has taken to Watch What Happens Live to fill in Andy Cohen.
Rose was furious after Gay clued her in on what Marks repeated. “That’s my business, and there’s nothing shady about it,” the PRISM jewelry creator stated. Rose co-founded the spiritual lifestyle brand with her friend, Amber-Lee Lyons, to connect women to intentional luxury jewelry with healing properties. Rose hasn’t gotten to the bottom of the rumors on RHOSLC. But she did join Andy Cohen on Watch What Happens Live to defend herself.
On the November 6 episode, Cohen sipped cocktails with Rose and fellow guest, model/actor Joy Bryant. The Bravo producer asked Rose, “What’s your response to your podcaster friend you had on the phone saying he never told you it was Lisa Barlow who started the Alibaba rumors?”
Rose took a deep breath and responded. “Well, I’m very confused because he told me explicitly that it was [Barlow]. On camera. So I’m very confused by the level of thirst and betrayal here because he — I have a history with his husband. He’s from Utah, Mormon culture, and I’m not going to sell them out. But I’m very disappointed and hurt by that. I trusted the wrong person.” Cohen pushed further, “But do you believe that he was telling the truth about the rumors?” Rose simply stated, “I do.”
As Whitney Rose untangles the rumors and lies, fans of the show are divided about PRISM jewelry’s origins. Some defended the 38-year-old on Reddit, commenting, “I think she is savvy enough not to do that. Ali Baba, Temu and Shien knock off American designs all the time … Also, just because it’s the same design/appearance doesn’t mean they’re like kind and quality.” Another wrote, “I voted no because, like the other commenter, I don’t think she’s dumb enough to directly buy from Alibaba. And certainly not dumb enough to use the same photo.”
Other RHOSLC fans believe the gossip, commenting, “Why even ask? Yes, she & her lucky business partner absolutely did set up the laziest kind of Instagram shop.” Another wrote, “Absolutely. I went on Aliexpress and although couldn’t match up EVERY piece. There were a bunch that could! $35 earrings for $2 lol..it even says on her site that the jewelry is from China and not made specifically for her! Lol BUSTED!”
Perhaps viewers will learn the true origins of PRISM as season 5 unfolds. In the meantime, Rose also clarified whether she or Angie Katsanevas would reconcile with Barlow sooner.
When asked by a fan on WWHL, Rose responded, “That’s hard because I don’t see either coming anytime soon. I mean, I’m hopeful for the reunion that we can, you know, have some real talk and get to the bottom of things because there’s nothing worse than feuding with your friends. But, oh, Lisa has dug herself into a grave of lies that are just –.” Cohen interrupted her with a shocked look on his face. “A grave of lies!” he dramatically exclaimed.
New episodes of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City Season 5 air on Wednesdays on Bravo at 9/8c. You can stream episodes on Peacock the day after each premieres.
