--- title: "Gretchen Rossi: A Controversial Figure in the Media" url: https://allabouttrh.com/2023/02/20/gretchen-rossi-and-slade-smiley-called-out-by-his-ex-michelle-for-capitalizing-on-the-death-of-her-and-slades-son-grayson/ type: post date: 2023-02-20 modified: 2023-10-04 markdown_url: https://allabouttrh.com/2023/02/20/gretchen-rossi-and-slade-smiley-called-out-by-his-ex-michelle-for-capitalizing-on-the-death-of-her-and-slades-son-grayson.md author: "Lara Sophia" --- # Gretchen Rossi: A Controversial Figure in the Media [Real Housewives of Orange County](https://allabouttrh.com/category/the-real-housewives-of-orange-county/)alums [Gretchen Rossi](https://allabouttrh.com/category/the-real-housewives-of-orange-county/gretchen-rossi/) and [Slade Smiley](https://allabouttrh.com/2016/09/06/gretchen-rossi-slade-smiley-reveal-havent-gotten-married-holding-bravo-cameras/) are being accused of capitalizing on the death of Slade's 22-year-old son Grayson Smiley. [Grayson passed away earlier this month](https://allabouttrh.com/2023/02/08/rhoc-slade-smileys-son-grayson-dies-after-long-battle-with-cancer/) after a sixteen-year battle with cancer. Ever since Grayson's death, Gretchen has been posting non-stop tributes to her stepson. However, Slade's ex and Grayson's mom, Michelle Arroyo, tells[TMZ](https://www.tmz.com/2023/02/19/real-housewives-orange-county-gretchen-rossi-slade-smiley-son-death/) that Gretchen and Slade have barely spent any time with Grayson in the last decade yet are publicly mourning him on social media for attention. https://www.instagram.com/p/CoYa4yqvjAA/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/CoareA2PLAs/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/reel/CopxcuEAVad/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Michelle calls [Slade and Gretchen](https://allabouttrh.com/2021/01/22/gretchen-rossi-slammed-for-tacky-mlk-day-instagram-post/)'s relationship with Grayson *"nonexistent."* While caring for Grayson during his battle with cancer, Michelle lost everything from her home, business, and savings. Meanwhile, Michelle claims that Slade still owes $152k in back child support, noting that he hasn't made a payment since 2019. According to Michelle, she can no longer stay silent about Slade's *"inexcusable behavior and neglect"* of their son, who was desperate to have a relationship with his father. In order to honor Grayson with a funeral fitting of his life, Michelle's family has started a [GoFundMe](https://www.gofundme.com/f/AmazingGray?qid=7a6ac3299931ef895e8300d83449e85d) to raise money for funeral expenses. As for Gretchen and Slade, the former [OC Housewife](https://allabouttrh.com/2020/10/27/tamra-judge-says-theres-a-good-chance-shell-be-back-for-season-16-of-rhoc-sets-the-record-straight-on-being-involved-in-the-season-15-drama/) has shot down Michelle's claims in the comment section of her various posts about Grayson. When it comes to the allegations that Gretchen and Slade haven't seen Grayson in ten years, the Bravo alum said, *"How does that even make sense when I posted a video of him and Skylar together, and she is only three years old? Use your brain. Not everything you read is true." * The former reality TV star also denied using Grayson's passing for *"clout." * *"For clout? How is a child passing for clout? You, people, are so messed up. Don't believe everything you read,"* she replied to one commenter. She also called the claims that she was never in Grayson's life *"completely false information." * On top of that, Gretchen also explained why she didn't frequently post about Grayson on her social media. *"Being that I am not his mother, I did not find it my place,"* Gretchen explained. *"I always wanted to respect his private because he was going through a very [severe] medical condition. I posted in honor of his life with happy memories. I am not sure why that is so difficult to understand."* ![](https://allabouttrh.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/IMG_5945.jpg) ![](https://allabouttrh.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/IMG_5944.jpg) ![](https://allabouttrh.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/IMG_5943.jpg) RHOC is set to return for season 17 in early 2023. ## Thoughts on this all? Sound off below! **[Follow](https://www.instagram.com/allabouttrh) **AllAboutTRH On **[Instagram.](https://www.instagram.com/AllAboutTRH)** **[Follow](https://www.twitter.com/allabouttrh) **AllAboutTRH On **[Twitter.](https://www.twitter.com/allabouttrh)****[Like](https://www.facebook.com/allabouttrh)** AllAboutTRH On **[Facebook.](https://www.facebook.com/allabouttrh)** What are Gretchen Rossi and Slade Smiley being accused of?  They are being accused of capitalizing on the death of Slade’s son, Grayson Smiley. : Who is accusing Gretchen and Slade? Grayson’s mother, Michelle Arroyo, is accusing them. What is Michelle's claim against Gretchen and Slade? Michelle claims that Gretchen and Slade have barely spent any time with Grayson in the last decade yet are publicly mourning him on social media for attention.