Britani Bateman, a new face on The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, has had a turbulent time lately, especially after her recent divorce from ex-husband John Scott Underwood.
Just two days after finalizing their divorce in October 2023, Bateman filed a complaint, accusing her ex of being “controlling and abusive” throughout their six-and-a-half-year marriage.
Emotional Distress and Control Allegations
In her complaint, Bateman claims to have endured severe emotional distress due to Underwood’s behavior.
The court documents allege that John had complete control over her daily life, dictating everything from what she wore to how often they had sex.
He allegedly monitored her physical appearance, down to her makeup, perfume, and even her nail color.
His control, Bateman says, extended into every aspect of her life, including her interactions with family and friends, who became increasingly distant over time.
Financial and Emotional Struggles
Financial control was also a major theme in Bateman’s complaint.
Before her marriage, Bateman claimed she was earning around $150,000 a year through her production company, which she was forced to sell because John wanted her to prioritize their relationship.
Bateman also alleged that she paid off his debts and set up multiple savings accounts, only for John to later siphon off the profits.
During the divorce process, Bateman claimed John isolated her from their joint finances, despite a court order.
She is now seeking damages amounting to no less than $2.5 million.
John’s Defense: Counterclaims and Denials
John Scott Underwood, through his attorney, strongly denied Bateman’s allegations.
In his counterclaim, he painted a different picture, describing Britani as self-absorbed, materialistic, and manipulative.
He also claimed that her false accusations had caused him severe emotional distress and damaged his business relationships.
While he admitted to shutting off her phone, John claimed it was due to her ignoring his calls, despite professing love for him.
He also denied ever controlling her movements, insisting that she had the freedom to come and go as she pleased.
Britani’s Response and the Ongoing Legal Battle
In response to John’s counterclaim, Bateman denied all allegations and requested the court dismiss his claims.
The legal battle continues, with the most recent court filings made in February 2024.
The case remains unresolved, and many of the divorce documents have been sealed, aside from a few that were publicly released, including their divorce decree, which cited irreconcilable differences.
Life After Divorce and On-Screen Drama
Beyond the courtroom, Bateman has also been navigating some on-screen drama with her fellow RHOSLC castmates.
Introduced as Heather Gay’s friend, she quickly found herself at odds with cast members like Mary Cosby and Bronwyn Newport.
A heated exchange with Mary after a group ropes course left tensions high, with Bronwyn calling Britani’s behavior “chaotic.”
In her personal life, Britani was dating Jared Osmond, nephew of Donny and Marie Osmond, during the show’s filming.
However, their relationship was notoriously on-again, off-again, with Britani admitting they had broken up at least 16 times.
Jared, in defense of his role, stated that he had always been supportive and generous but felt Britani’s past relationships had left her too “damaged” for stability.
What’s Next for Britani?
As of now, Britani is single and claims to be “ready to mingle.”
Her tumultuous personal life, combined with her drama-filled debut on RHOSLC, has made her a central figure in this season’s storylines.
Fans can catch more of Britani’s journey in new episodes of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, airing Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET on Bravo.
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