RHOSLC’s Monica Garcia Ordered to Pay $35K in Beauty Lab Lawsuit.

Monica Garcia, 40, former star of Real Housewives of Salt Lake City (RHOSLC), is still processing the shock of a recent court ruling that went in favor of Heather Gay’s Beauty Lab. In the ongoing legal battle, Monica Garcia was ordered by a Utah judge to pay a substantial sum of $35,853.60, stemming from a dispute over unpaid lip injection services.

 

RHOSLC’s Monica Garcia, 40, was ordered by a Utah judge to pay a substantial sum of $35,853.60 to Gay and Beauty Lab. The total amount includes Beauty Lab’s original claim of $2,000, plus 18% interest, $604.98 in lawsuit-related costs and fees, and $31,550 in attorney’s fees for Gay.

The lawsuit, which began in August 2023, followed allegations from Beauty Lab that Garcia had failed to pay her $2,000 bill for services received in 2020, including lip and nose injections. The ruling included the original amount owed, plus interest, legal fees, and additional costs related to the case. Despite the legal setback, Garcia remains resolute, expressing her disbelief at the outcome.

“In Shock” and “Taken Aback”

In an emotional Instagram post on Wednesday, Garcia shared her initial reaction to the court’s decision. “I’m in shock,” she admitted, revealing that she had delayed speaking out on the matter the day before, out of respect for the significant events surrounding the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election. However, as she processed the ruling, Garcia felt compelled to speak up.

“It’s quite telling that this lawsuit made headlines yesterday, considering everything else happening around us. I’m honestly taken aback this morning,” Garcia said. “With so much unfolding in our country and the world, it’s surprising that a lawsuit has captured anyone’s attention. Yet, here we are.”

The legal proceedings have certainly drawn significant media attention, but for Garcia, the ruling has only added to a growing sense of disappointment. In addition to the original $2,000 claim, the final judgment required Garcia to cover $604.98 in costs and fees, as well as $31,550 in attorney fees for Gay’s legal representation.

A Plan to Appeal

Despite the unexpected ruling, Garcia and her legal team remain determined to fight the decision. “This was an unexpected and unfavorable decision. We fully plan to appeal and are optimistic about the outcome as we move forward,” Garcia shared, emphasizing her intent to seek justice in the case.

Her response comes after the judge sided with Gay’s Beauty Lab in a legal dispute that included Garcia’s countersuit, in which she accused the med spa of providing botched services. Garcia had argued that the treatments were subpar and that the outcome was not what she had agreed to, but the court ultimately favored Gay’s claims of breach of contract.

Online Backlash and Personal Reflections

In addition to the court ruling, Garcia has faced a wave of online criticism, with many social media users celebrating her “downfall.” Reflecting on the negative commentary, Garcia shared that she was “taken aback by the vile and hateful comments online,” adding that while it was disheartening, it wasn’t entirely unexpected given the current climate in the U.S.

She expressed her frustration with the state of public discourse, stating, “It seems that hate, discrimination, and a desire to revel in others’ suffering have truly taken hold in our nation.” Despite the negativity, Garcia chose to focus on the positive aspects of her life.

“I’m incredibly grateful and blessed because of my daughters,” she shared, expressing that, despite the recent challenges, she had much to be thankful for. “There’s so much happening in my life that fills me with gratitude and excitement. In the grand scheme of things, being sued by someone is really quite minor.”

Finding Perspective in Challenging Times

Garcia acknowledged that the lawsuit and the public attention surrounding it were small in comparison to the broader issues facing the world. “I’m not the first housewife/bravolebrity to face such circumstances—and I certainly won’t be the last,” she said, putting her legal struggles into perspective. “Trust me when I say, we have far greater concerns to address.”

She ended her post with a message of hope and solidarity, urging her followers to stay strong amid difficult times. “I hope everyone across our country who is feeling scared, heartbroken, unsettled, anxious, or lost knows that you are not alone,” she concluded.

The Beauty Lab Lawsuit

The legal saga began when Beauty Lab, co-owned by Heather Gay since 2017, initiated a lawsuit against Garcia in August 2023. The med spa accused the reality star of breaching her contract by not paying for her services, which included both lip and nose injections. Garcia had entered into a payment plan, but after months of non-payment, the spa took legal action, seeking to recover the $2,000 owed.

In response, Garcia filed a countersuit, alleging that the services she received were “botched” and that the results of her treatments were substandard. Despite the counterclaim, the court ruled in favor of Gay’s Beauty Lab, prompting Garcia’s plans for an appeal.

As this high-profile lawsuit unfolds, it continues to capture the attention of RHOSLC fans and legal observers alike, keeping Garcia in the public eye despite the personal toll it has taken. For now, the former reality TV star remains focused on her family and her larger life goals while preparing for the next phase of her legal battle.

Related: Vicki Gunvalson Reflects on Her Journey with The Real Housewives