Arts & Entertainment
Bravo 'Regrets' Offensive GN Plaza 'Princesses' Long Island Scene
Episode filmed at Jonathan Ielpi Memorial Park offends family member of fallen firefighter.
The Bravo Network told Patch Tuesday it "deeply regrets" the fallout from a recent episode of "Princesses: Long Island" that was filmed at Jonathan Ielpi Memorial Park in Great Neck Plaza.
The reaction from the network comes after a family member of the fallen firefighter who is honored at the park with a bronze statue told PIX 11 that the scene, which aired Sunday, was disrespectful to the image of her brother, Jonathan Ielpi, who died in the Sept. 11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center.
In the scene, Amanda Bertoncini drapes on the statue of Ielpi and is asked to feed it beer and act scared.
Find out what's happening in Great Neckwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
“It opens up the wounds and it makes you just want to cry all over again,” said Melissa Ielpi-Brengel, to PIX 11.
A spokesman for Bravo said the network deeply regrets the incident.
Bertoncini said she never meant to hurt anyone.
“I would like to apologize to the community of Great Neck, fellow Long Islanders, and anyone who was affected by 9/11," Bertoncini said in a statement. "I would especially like to extend my sincere apology to the family of Jonathan Ielpi."
Watch: Residents react to 'Princesses Long Island"
A spokesman for Bravo said the network deeply regrets the incident.
"We are extremely sorry for any distress we caused the family of Jonathan Ielpi and other firefighters," the network said in a statement to Patch. "As soon as we were alerted that this was a memorial statue, Bravo immediately removed the footage from any future airings."
Bertoncini said she never meant to hurt anyone.
“I would like to apologize to the community of Great Neck, fellow Long Islanders, and anyone who was affected by 9/11," Bertoncini said in a statement. "I would especially like to extend my sincere apology to the family of Jonathan Ielpi."
Watch: Residents react to 'Princesses Long Island"
Find out what's happening in Great Neckwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
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