Reality TV fans got a bit worried Thursday night when Sonja Morgan, the familiar face from Real Housewives of New York City, was seen being loaded into an ambulance in Palm Beach, Florida.
The 61-year-old star, known for her bubbly personality and stylish blonde look, appeared visibly upset as she lay on a stretcher with straps securing her legs, clutching her purse.
This happened outside the Echo restaurant around 10 PM after police were called to assist a woman who needed help.
Sonja later cleared things up with DailyMail.com, sharing, “I was helping a lady who fell.
I’m doing great, thanks.” So, despite the dramatic scene, it wasn’t her who was hurt.
Confusion Over Police Trespass Warning
Reports surfaced from TMZ revealing that Sonja was issued a trespass warning by the Palm Beach Police Department.
However, according to documents TMZ obtained, Sonja refused to sign this warning.
The reasons behind the police presence and the warning are still somewhat unclear, but it seems linked to the incident with the woman she was helping.
Drama in New York City Over a Restaurant Bill
Just days before this Florida incident, Sonja found herself in hot water back in New York City following a controversy at the trendy new restaurant Tucci.
The star was accused of refusing to pay a hefty $1,000 bill after dining with friends on a Saturday night.
Sources told Page Six that Sonja allegedly demanded a free meal because of her fame, even reportedly getting “hysterical,” which supposedly led to her being banned from the restaurant.
But Sonja paints a very different picture.
Sonja’s Side of the Story on the Tucci Controversy
Sonja explained to DailyMail.com that the whole situation stemmed from a misunderstanding.
She says she was invited to eat at Tucci for free in exchange for promoting the restaurant on her Instagram, where she has 1.2 million followers.
According to her, this kind of deal wasn’t new; she’s done similar promotions before without any problems.
She emphasized that the agreement was directly made with Max Tucci, the owner, through phone calls and texts.
Sonja insists the entire restaurant staff was aware her meal was complimentary, making the issue a “miscommunication” rather than anything intentional.
Contrary to reports, Sonja said she never acted hysterically and instead tried repeatedly to clarify the situation and even offered to pay the bill when things seemed off.
Eventually, she settled the $1,000 bill with a generous tip on Monday.
Tucci’s Owner Responds Firmly to the Incident
Despite the bill being paid, Max Tucci seemed displeased with how things unfolded.
Coming from a notable family of restaurateurs — Max is the grandson of Oscar Tucci, who purchased the historic Delmonico’s in 1926 — he made clear that there was no agreement to waive Sonja’s meal.
He told Page Six that Sonja was “just taking advantage” of the restaurant’s popularity and that the industry can’t afford freebies given rising food and labor costs.
According to Max, respect and fair compensation are crucial in hospitality, and entitlement like this isn’t acceptable.
A Final Word from Max Tucci After Media Storm
After the media buzz escalated, Max Tucci sent a statement to DailyMail.com to clarify his position.
He stressed that the restaurant industry is under huge pressure and guests shouldn’t expect free meals.
Max also expressed his disappointment that he had to break a family tradition of welcoming everyone, saying, “Sonja is no longer welcome at TUCCI.”
This decision reflects the restaurant’s commitment to its staff and the principle of mutual respect, something Max believes is essential to keep their business running smoothly.
What’s Next for Sonja Morgan?
Sonja Morgan last appeared on Real Housewives of New York City in 2021.
Despite recent troubles, she remains a prominent figure in reality TV.
Whether the Florida ambulance incident or the New York restaurant drama will affect her future projects or public image remains to be seen.
For now, Sonja assures her fans she’s okay and focusing on moving forward.
As for Tucci, the restaurant continues to attract celebrities and food lovers alike, standing firm on its policies in a challenging industry.