Demi Engemann fires back at Marciano Brunette's 'sham' defamation lawsuit

KiMi Robinson, USA TODAYThu, February 19, 2026 at 12:00 AM UTC

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"The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" star Demi Engemann is firing back at "Vanderpump Villa" cast member Marciano Brunette's defamation lawsuit.

In a motion to dismiss filed in Utah federal court Feb. 17, which was obtained by USA TODAY Feb. 18, Engemann's lawyers called Brunette's lawsuit "a sham," saying it "was brought solely to gain media attention."

"Brunette is desperate to be famous and is using this lawsuit to try to make up for his failure-to-launch TV career, lack of event invitations, weak social media following and obsession with 'getting even' with Engemann," the filing reads. "Through the suit, Brunette wants to punish Engemann for exercising her First Amendment right to speak out concerning Brunette’s misconduct and opining on sensitive topics involving sexual assault (and likely to deter other women from coming forward)."

USA TODAY has reached out to Brunette's attorneys for comment.

Two months after "Vanderpump Villa" star Marciano Brunette sued "Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" star Demi Engemann and the show's production company for defamation, Engemann issued a legal response asking a judge to dismiss his claims on Feb. 17, 2026.

Engemann's attorney, Roger N. Behle, Jr., told USA TODAY in a statement that "We will litigate this case fully before the court."

Behle continued, "The case raises some serious issues. Women cannot fear being sued for reporting sexual misconduct. A suit like this could have the effect of deterring victims of sexual misconduct from coming forward. That simply cannot happen."

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Marciano Brunette must prove Demi Engemann's 'malice,' her lawyers say

In his defamation lawsuit filed Dec. 5, Brunette, 33, alleges Engemann, 31, and the Hulu show's Jeff Jenkins Production Company were "publishing false accusations of sexual assault and branding Marciano a 'sexual predator.'"

According to Brunette's legal complaint, he and Engemann "shared a consensual kiss" while filming Season 2 of "Vanderpump Villa" in Italy in August 2024. Lawyers for Brunette, a server on the reality show, say Engemann has been "shifting her story over time" and "reframed the obviously consensual interaction as one of sexual misconduct and then as sexual assault."

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Brunette's claims are not "actionable," Engemann's lawyers say, because they concern "subjective views and interpretations." They write that Brunette's legal complaint focuses on "Engemann's opinion that Brunette's touched her without consent" and her "opinion on what constitutes sexual misconduct, as well as how victims of sexual assault may react to the assault."

The motion to dismiss is on the grounds of Utah's Uniform Public Expression Protection Act, which aims to subvert Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs), or "abusive lawsuit[s]" that "silence or intimidate citizens by subjecting them to costly and lengthy litigation."

Engemann's filing says, "Each of Brunette’s claims against Engemann arises from the alleged exercise of Engemann’s constitutional right of free of speech on a matter of public concern." As such, per the filing, "Brunette must meet the high standard of proving actual malice for all his claims to survive dismissal."

Beyond the sex and scandal: The salaciousness isn't the whole story on 'Mormon Wives'

In addition, her lawyers point out, Brunette "agreed to a broad release" by signing a February 2025 performer agreement with the production company that states "other parties ... may reveal and/or relate information about Artist of a personal, private, surprising, embarrassing and/or unfavorable nature." The signee also releases applicable parties from claims, including any related to defamation.

Bret Engemann and Demi Engemann on "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives," in a photo released Feb. 18, 2026.

As a result of Engemann's allegations, Brunette has "lost professional opportunities," including "a lucrative contract to appear on a popular reality dating competition show," and experienced "harassment by strangers and lasting harm to Marciano’s reputation."

Brunette was "fired" from "Vanderpump Villa" during Season 2, and he previously said in a May 1 Instagram post that the termination was not related to "Mormon Wives." At the time, Us Weekly described the firing as having happened after a "tense fight" with a fellow cast member, and Brunette alleged he was defending costar Hannah Fouch, who was also fired.

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, RAINN's National Sexual Assault Hotline offers free, confidential, 24/7 support to survivors and their loved ones in English and Spanish at: 800.656.HOPE (4673) and Hotline.RAINN.org and en Español RAINN.org/es.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Demi Engemann fires back a Marciano Brunette's 'sham' lawsuit

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