Monica Garcia is “in shock” after a Utah judge ruled in favor of Heather Gay’s Beauty Lab in their legal battle which began when the med spa sued Garcia over “failing to pay” her lip injection bill.
The former “Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” star responded to the official decision via her Instagram Stories on Wednesday, revealing that she withheld her reaction on Tuesday in light of the 2024 Presidential Election.
“I didn’t feel it appropriate to even comment on the situation yesterday considering what was happening in our country. The things that actually matter. However, waking up this morning, I still don’t find it appropriate, but wow,” Garcia began.
“The fact that this lawsuit was even news on a day like yesterday says a lot. I’m in shock this morning. There is so much going on around us right now. There is so much happening in our country and world that it’s astounding to me that a lawsuit is even on anyone’s radar. But here we are.”
As part of the judge’s ruling, Garcia was ordered to pay $35,853.60 to Gay and Beauty Lab. The total reflects Beauty Lab’s principle asking amount of $2,000 with interest calculated at 18 percent, $604.98 in costs and fees associated with the lawsuit and Gay’s attorney’s fees which added up to $31,550.
Garcia noted that her attorneys commented on the judgement on her behalf, saying: “This was a shocking and bad decision. We have every intention of appealing and are confident in the outcome moving forward.”
“I would say that I was surprised by the disgusting hateful comments online rejoicing in my ‘downfall,’ but after seeing the decisions happening around us, I’m not surprised at all. Hate, discrimination, the desire to destroy, and glorify in people’s pain has absolutely taken over this nation,” she continued.
Garcia reflected on the issue further, telling her followers that in spite of the recent decision, she still manages to feel “so grateful and blessed” because of her daughters.
“There is so much in my life happening that I have to be thankful and that I’m so excited about. At the end of the day, being sued by someone is minuscule in the grand scheme of things,” she said, noting that she is not the first “housewife/bravolebrity” to find themselves in this situation — “nor will [she] be the last.”
“Believe me when I say, we have so much more to worry about,” she closed. “Hoping that all those around our country that are feeling fearful, devastated, shaken, anxious, or lost know that you are not alone.”
Gay’s Beauty Lab, which she has co-owned since 2017, filed a lawsuit against Garcia in August 2023 for breach of contract and breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing after she decided not to pay for her nose and lip injection services rendered in 2020.
In the original filing, the med spa asked for “not less than $2,000” for the 10 months worth of $200 payments that she did not make.
Shortly after, Garcia countersued the med spa, claiming they delivered “botched” nose and lip injections.