Sonja Morgan has never been far from the headlines, but her recent appearances in the news — involving an unpaid restaurant bill and a stretcher incident in Florida — have stirred up fresh controversy. Now, her longtime friend and former Real Housewives of New York City costar Ramona Singer is speaking out, offering a different perspective and standing firmly by Morgan’s side.
What Happened in Manhattan:
On May 10, Morgan, 61, was reportedly involved in a dispute at Tucci, an upscale restaurant in Manhattan’s Noho neighborhood. According to witnesses, she allegedly refused to pay her $1,000 bill and expected the meal to be complimentary.
Tucci’s owner, Max Tucci, told PEOPLE:
“I’d like to clarify that there was no agreement for a complimentary dinner. [Morgan’s] assumption otherwise shows poor judgment, which is consistent with her past behavior of not tipping our servers.
We stand in solidarity with our hardworking staff and the industry, expecting respect and fair compensation for excellent service.”
In response, Sonja Morgan said it was all a misunderstanding:
“I, of course, offered to pay and tip and I did when they finally called me back on Monday,” she explained to PEOPLE.
Despite the payment being settled afterward, Tucci has banned Morgan from his establishment, adding:
“Respect us, and we’ll respect you. Sonja is no longer welcome at Tucci, and I have broken my grandfather Oscar Tucci’s cardinal rule of ‘welcoming everyone to our table.’”
Florida Incident and EMT Involvement:
Just five days later, on May 15, TMZ released photos showing Morgan being wheeled out of Echo restaurant in Palm Beach, Florida, on a stretcher. The restaurant is owned by The Breakers Hotel.
According to Captain William Rothrock of the Palm Beach Police Department, officers responded to a medical call that evening. Rothrock also confirmed that Morgan was issued a written trespass warning at the request of the hotel.
Morgan offered a different version of events:
“An elderly patron at the restaurant I was dining at appeared to be in distress, and I called for medical assistance.
While assisting during the commotion, I sustained some minor injuries and, out of an abundance of caution, accompanied the EMTs to be checked out.
I’m incredibly grateful to the first responders for their swift care and professionalism,” she said in a statement to PEOPLE.
Addressing the reported trespass warning, Morgan added:
“I didn’t want to leave. I insisted on making sure she was cared for.”
Ramona Singer Speaks Out:
During the May 19 premiere of Fountain of Youth, Ramona Singer, 68, addressed the recent headlines and shared that she had been in touch with Morgan.
In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Singer defended her friend:
“They don’t like to write good things, they like to write negative things. They kind of embellish sometimes.
Sonja’s fine — she’s great. She’s doing well. She’s in great health.”
Singer continued:
“People take things the wrong way, and I only wish the best for her.”
While opinions vary on Morgan’s recent behavior, one thing is clear: her inner circle, including Ramona Singer, remains loyal and insists she’s doing well despite the drama. Whether these events are truly overblown or part of a deeper pattern remains to be seen — but in typical Housewives fashion, it’s all playing out in the public eye.