The Real Housewives of Orange County star Gretchen Rossi is speaking out after screenshots surfaced online allegedly showing her “liking” homophobic posts. The reality star insists the screenshots are fake, and she’s taking action to clear her name.

“Manipulated Screenshots Meant to Cause Harm”

Rossi told The U.S. Sun that the viral images are nothing more than a smear campaign:

“It’s my understanding that there is a small group of Housewives fan sites and blogs passing a story around that I allegedly liked highly offensive posts. This is false, those are manipulated screenshots meant to cause harm to my reputation and bring attention to themselves.”

She went on to emphasize her unwavering stance against discrimination:

“I firmly stand against any form of hatred and bigotry and have always fully supported the LGBTQ+ community.”

Unfortunately, the reality star says the fallout has gone far beyond online criticism. According to The U.S. Sun, Rossi and her fiancé Slade Smiley have even received death threats over the fake screenshots.

Friends Come to Gretchen’s Defense

Those close to Gretchen have been quick to speak up in her defense. A longtime friend of over 15 years told The U.S. Sun:

“Having been friends with Gretchen for over 15 years it’s mind-boggling to me how she could ever be accused of hate for the LGBT community and people believe that. In fact, it’s the opposite, she always surrounds herself with her many incredibly loving gay friends in her community.”

The friend went on to highlight Rossi’s long history of LGBTQ+ support:

“It was Gretchen who brought a drag queen on the Housewives show in 2013. And Gretchen and Slade who vowed not to marry unless their gay friends would have the same opportunities. Gretchen and Slade also modeled for the NO H8 campaign against hate.”

They added that the couple’s support goes beyond symbolic gestures:

“When Gretchen was pregnant with Skyler, she invited her best gay friends to get married during the baby shower — and she was even best man for the wedding.”

Drag Artist Sham Ibrahim Speaks Out

Artist and drag performer Sham Ibrahim, a longtime friend of the couple, also called the allegations “absurd”:

“The presumption that Gretchen has a homophobic bone in her body is preposterous. I have known her for over a decade, long before it was popular to support the LGBT community. She has only ever shown me love and surrounded herself in full support of the LGBT community.”

Ibrahim recalled Rossi’s unwavering support early in his career:

“In 2014, Gretchen and Slade showed up to my very first ever art show to show me support. In fact, Slade even painted a giant portrait of me as a gift.”

He also warned that spreading false accusations like these can have real-world consequences:

“These accusations are very dangerous during this heated political climate – and in turn it threatens Gretchen’s reputation and safety.”

Private Investigator Finds Signs of Manipulation

To uncover the truth behind the screenshots, Rossi and Smiley have hired private investigator Andy Kay, Founder of Kay and Associates Investigations. After reviewing the evidence, Kay stated:

“After reviewing the posts in my professional opinion they appear to be altered. We have been seeing more and more cyber bullying and Instagram posts being manipulated and used against victims especially during this heated political climate. This appears to be a perfect example of the dangerous effects these falsified posts can have on a person’s reputation and safety.”