New The Real Housewives of Rhode Island star Kelsey Swanson is addressing the claim she was once a sex worker.
“Had to comment on this one — never have been an escort,” Swanson wrote in the comments section of a Saturday, April 4, Instagram post claiming the upcoming reality TV star charged $2,900 for “dinner and dessert.”
“Pages were completely made up 10 years ago,” she added. “State police were involved. Thanks for sharing tho.”
The now-debunked post, shared by Housewives fan page @mrhousewives, featured alleged “screenshots” of Swanson “promoting herself as an escort.”
“The screenshots are dated 2016 — so exactly 10 years ago — and Kelsey was going by the name Alexia Lins,” the caption reads. “In the posts, she describes herself as ‘sexy, classy, and elegant,’ offering to fulfill fantasies and even mentioning she was open to try new things.”
The post continued, “Now let’s talk about the pricing… the maximum listed was $2,900 for five hours (plus ‘dessert’), and the minimum was $500 for a one-hour ‘introduction.’ So yes.. She was making MONEY. Allegedly. The website has since been taken down — but screenshots? They live forever.”
While the post appeared to be intended to shame Swanson, many fans praised her in the comments section — regardless of the validity of the allegations.
“Honestly good for her!!! She’s hot and she better get [t]hose coins!” one fan wrote. “Haters gonna hate while she’s busy staying fabulous. Absolutely love her.”
“In this economy, $20 is $20,” another commented.
“S** work is real work,” another wrote, “it’s only illegal because they can’t tax it.”
During last year’s November BravoCon, Andy Cohen confirmed that the premiere season of the upcoming Bravo reality TV series will follow Swanson — alongside Alicia Carmody, Rosie DiMare, Ashley Iaconetti, Liz McGraw, Rulla Nehme Pontarelli and Jo-Ellen Tiberi — as she navigates the highs and lows of Rhode Island’s close-knit social scene.
“They may live in the smallest state in the country, but their drama? Extra large,” read a press release from the network. “As The Real Housewives hits its milestone 20th anniversary next year, Bravo is expanding the distinguished franchise with The Real Housewives of Rhode Island, spotlighting a fresh, charismatic group of women whose lives intertwine across the storied coastline of New England luxury.”
Swanson, for her part, is a former Miss Rhode Island who “keeps a full plate as one of the state’s top makeup artists,” according to a press release.
“Kelsey has been in a 10-year relationship with one of Rhode Island’s most notable figures,” the release read, “enjoying the lap of luxury while keeping her social calendar full.”
While season 1 of the show will feature nearly all brand-new faces, The Real Housewives of New Jersey‘s Dolores Catania will be joining the cast as a friend.
