Selling The OC’s Austin Addresses Season 3 Threesome Drama

Selling the OC’s Austin Victoria has set the record straight on the threesome rumor. In the Netflix reality show’s third season, which dropped on May 3, the model-turned-realtor came to blows with castmate Sean Palmieri, who claimed that Austin and his wife propositioned him for a threesome.

In the new season, Sean also alleges that Austin sent him suggestive text messages, which changed their relationship. “[Austin] has been very interesting toward me in the past,” he said in a confessional. “Saying, ‘You’re my favorite in the office.’ That could lead to hints. I choose to stay away from some of these situations.”

Sean later confronted Austin about the alleged threesome invite, which almost led to a physical brawl in the Oppenheim Group office courtyard.

On May 7, Austin took to Instagram to address Sean’s claims in response to “the repeated DMs and comments,” which he vehemently denies. “I’m a straight man,” he began the post. “I love my wife and we have never and will never ‘experiment.’”

Austin went on to say he couldn’t “care less” what his costar does in his personal life, adding, “Zero judgment here, do what makes YOU happy. If you are negative you will get blocked. I have no space in my life for negativity or your fantasies.”

Explaining why Sean might’ve made up the claims, Austin offered “screen time” as a potential reason. “In reality TV, if you are not featured, you are not paid,” he continued. “You can quite literally make anything up and it’s your word vs theirs. Scary Stuff.”

Austin also shared an apparent screenshot of his text message chain with Sean, which he says supports his story. “We were friends for an entire year after this so-called ‘kinky proposal.’ I have the receipts!”

Sean Quit Selling The OC

In November 2023, Sean announced that he was leaving the O Group and would no longer be a cast member on Selling the OC after Season 3.

“After much consideration, I’ve decided to part ways with the Oppenheim Group,” he told People at the time. “I am very excited about this new chapter in my career and eager to embark on a journey that closely aligns with my professional aspirations and personal growth.”

Speaking more recently to Us Weekly, Jason Oppenheim confirmed Sean walked away from the real estate agency, and said his drama with Austin may have played a role. “I can’t imagine that it didn’t have something to do with it,” he said. “I think maybe this added to the frustration, but I don’t know.”