Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” Star Demi Engemann Moves to Toss “Sham” Defamation Suit
Reality personality Demi Engemann has filed a motion to dismiss a defamation lawsuit brought against her by Marciano Brunette, arguing that her comments about his alleged sexual misconduct are protected speech on a matter of public interest. Brunette — who has appeared on Bravo‑adjacent projects and is linked to series including “Vanderpump Villa” and “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” — sued Engemann and producer Jeff Jenkins Productions in December 2025, claiming she used her platform to falsely paint him as predatory and that the show aired accusations it knew were untrue.
Engemann’s motion, filed in Utah, invokes the state’s Uniform Public Expression Protection Act, an anti‑SLAPP‑style law aimed at quickly tossing lawsuits that target people for speaking out on public issues. Her lawyers say Brunette’s case is “a lesson in hypocrisy,” arguing that he has long publicised his sexual reputation and even bragged on TV that a former employer had to create a policy to stop him from sleeping with co‑workers.
The filing argues that because her statements addressed alleged misconduct by a public‑facing figure and were aired in the context of a reality series about relationships and community, they fall squarely under free‑speech protections.
Under the Utah law she’s citing, Brunette would have to meet a high “actual malice” standard — showing she knowingly lied or acted with reckless disregard for the truth — for his claims to survive. Engemann is asking the court to dismiss his suit entirely and to award her attorney’s fees, framing the case as a strategic attempt to silence and punish her for speaking about her experiences.
The outcome will be closely watched by other reality‑TV figures who have raised concerns about behaviour by castmates and producers on camera and online. You can see more on her legal arguments in this People‑exclusive on Demi Engemann’s motion to dismiss Marciano Brunette’s defamation suit.
