If you watched Bravo’s now defunct series Ladies of London, then you’re familiar with Caroline Stanbury. And you would also be well aware that Caroline does what she wants. In this case, it’s marrying a much younger man. Back in December, the Real Housewives of Dubai star married former pro soccer player Sergio Carrallo. But now she’s responding to those who think it’s ok to criticize their 19 year age gap.
As reported by Page Six, Caroline stated, “I think it’s really sad that people think a young guy can’t fall in love with an older woman, that it has to be fake and it has to be something else.” She added, “I think I’m quite hot! People will see that he really, really, really loves me. If anything, he’s guilty of loving me a little too much.”
But of course, there will always be haters, some in the form of Caroline’s RHODubai castmates. Chanel Ayan, who has already sparred with Caroline, took a jab at their relationship. So did Lesa Milan, who calls him a “boy toy” in the RHODubai trailer. Lesa says in a confessional, “Play with your boy toy, bitch. Don’t play with me. I’m not the one.”
When asked by Page Six about her presumed dig at Caroline, Lesa teased, “Is that who I’m talking about? Word in the desert is there’s a few of them with boy toys. I mean, listen, we’re a group of friends. We have really high highs, really low lows. Sometimes we get along and sometimes we don’t.” But clearly Lesa approves these days. She noted, “Men do it all the time. You see men with younger girls and nobody makes a fuss about it. So, yeah, why not? Switch it up!”
Costar Dr. Sara Al Madani also agrees. She said of Caroline’s marriage, “I think it’s a beautiful relationship. I think they’re happy. And whatever makes them happy shouldn’t make sense to others.” So at least Caroline has a few supporters on the show.
Caroline hopes that fans end up coming around to age gap romances, especially ones involving an older female partner. Said Caroline of Sergio, “He deserves to be respected. I hope he paves the way for other young guys to come out and go, ‘Actually, I love her too.’ And for women to go, ‘That’s OK.’ Because men … are marrying young women every day and no one bats an eyelid.”
She laughed, “I mean, do I look like a troll? I don’t get it, why he couldn’t possibly love me and my family.” As for the claim that Sergio is with her for her fortune, Caroline doesn’t believe it. The mother of 3 explained, “He could have a much easier life than just being with me, I can assure you. I’m a very difficult woman to live with and if Sergio didn’t want to be here, Sergio would not be here.”
TELL US – WHAT DO YOU THINK OF CAROLINE AND SERGIO’S RELATIONSHIP? DO YOU THINK IT’S UNFAIR TO CRITICIZE HER WHEN MEN DO IT ALL THE TIME? HAVE YOU EVER DATED SOMEONE A LOT YOUNGER?
[Photo Credit: Bravo]