Vanderpump Villa Star Marciano Brunette: 5 Shocking Details About His Defamation Lawsuit And Reality TV Fallout

The reality television world is currently reeling from the explosive legal battle involving Marciano Brunette, a familiar face from Lisa Vanderpump's Hulu series, Vanderpump Villa. As of December 2025, Brunette is making headlines not for his lead server role in France, but for filing a high-stakes defamation lawsuit against fellow reality star Demi Engemann over serious sexual assault allegations, a move he publicly stated is about "getting even." This legal drama has not only cast a shadow over his career but has also exposed the chaotic, often dark, intersection of reality television fame and personal accusations, creating a must-watch scandal that transcends mere gossip.

The controversy centers on a claim of "unwanted touching" made by Engemann, a star of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives (SLOWM), which Brunette vehemently denies. The lawsuit, filed by Brunette's legal team at Dynamis LLP, alleges that Engemann's public accusations are entirely false and have caused significant damage to his reputation and career prospects, including the cancellation of a major appearance on a popular Netflix dating show. This deep dive uncovers the full profile of the reality star, the intricate details of the lawsuit, and the massive professional fallout that has followed the claims.

The Profile of Marciano Brunette: From Vegas Server to Reality TV

Marciano Brunette, a vibrant personality and server from Las Vegas, Nevada, rose to prominence as a main cast member on the Hulu reality series Vanderpump Villa.

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• Full Name: Marciano Brunette
• Age: 31-year-old (as per previous reports)
• Hometown/Residence: Las Vegas, Nevada
• Primary Reality TV Role: Lead Server on Vanderpump Villa (Hulu)
• Professional Background: Worked as a server at high-end restaurants in Las Vegas before joining the cast of Lisa Vanderpump's French villa staff.
• Family Connection: Brunette was named after the legendary undefeated heavyweight boxer, Rocky Marciano, reflecting his family’s background in boxing.
• Key Scandal Connections: Involved in a cheating scandal during Vanderpump Villa Season 2 with cast members from The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives (SLOWM), including Demi Engemann, Jessi Ngatikaura, Jennifer Affleck, Mikayla Matthews, and Layla Taylor.
• Legal Status (Dec 2025): Plaintiff in a major defamation lawsuit against Demi Engemann.

Brunette quickly became a focal point of drama on the show, navigating the high-pressure environment of the luxury French estate and the complex relationships among the staff. His connection to the cast of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives during their stay at the villa was a major plotline in the show's second season, leading directly to the current controversy.

The Defamation Lawsuit: Unpacking the Sexual Assault Allegations

The core of the scandal is the defamation lawsuit filed by Marciano Brunette against Demi Engemann, a fellow reality star from The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives (SLOWM). The legal action, which made headlines in December 2025, seeks to clear Brunette's name following Engemann's public accusations of sexual assault.

Engemann's claim, referred to in reports as "unwanted touching," was allegedly made following an interaction between the two stars during the filming of Vanderpump Villa. While the specific details of the alleged incident remain under legal wraps, the public accusation has had devastating professional repercussions for Brunette.

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Brunette's lawsuit, handled by the firm Dynamis LLP, argues that Engemann's statements are false and have caused irreparable damage to his personal and professional reputation. In a move that drew significant media attention, Brunette publicly stated that the lawsuit was his way of "getting even," suggesting a retaliatory motive against the claims that derailed his career. This public statement has polarized fans and commentators, raising questions about the ethics of using a defamation lawsuit in the context of sensitive assault allegations.

The legal documents detail the extent of the alleged damages, including emotional distress and significant loss of income from canceled opportunities. The case highlights a growing trend in the reality TV landscape where the line between on-screen drama and real-world legal battles has become increasingly blurred.

The Reality TV Fallout: Canceled Appearances and Public Feuds

The immediate and most tangible consequence of the sexual assault allegations was the professional fallout that saw Brunette lose a major career opportunity. Brunette revealed that he was slated to appear on the popular Netflix dating series, Perfect Match, a significant step up in reality TV exposure.

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However, less than a week before he was scheduled to begin filming, Brunette was reportedly cut from the cast. He attributes this cancellation directly to the allegations made by Demi Engemann, claiming the production company pulled the offer to avoid controversy. This single event is a central piece of evidence in his defamation claim, quantifying the professional damage done by the accusations.

The entire situation has ignited a fierce public feud between the casts of Vanderpump Villa and The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. Entities like Jessi Ngatikaura, another SLOWM cast member, have been drawn into the drama, with speculation swirling about what truly transpired during the group's stay in Italy. The conflicting narratives surrounding the events have made the lawsuit a major talking point across all reality TV fan communities.

The case is now a landmark example of how quickly unproven accusations—even those originating from a reality TV environment—can lead to severe, real-world consequences, forcing a public figure to resort to the courts to fight for their reputation. The outcome of the defamation lawsuit against Demi Engemann will be closely watched, as it could set a precedent for how reality TV stars handle sensitive allegations made in the public eye. The ongoing legal process is expected to continue well into 2026, keeping the "Marciano" name at the center of the reality TV news cycle.