Chrishell Stause Exits ‘Selling Sunset,’ Cites Mental Health and Editing Concerns
After nine seasons of navigating luxury real estate and dramatic interpersonal conflicts, Chrishell Stause has confirmed her departure from Netflix’s Selling Sunset. The reality star revealed her decision in a recent interview with Bustle, citing both personal struggles and dissatisfaction with the show’s portrayal of events.
Stause’s exit follows a particularly turbulent Season 9, marked by strained relationships with several cast members, including Emma Hernan, Nicole Young, and Sandra Vergara. According to the star, the decision to leave was not made lightly. “I’ve vacillated back and forth with this decision in the past,” she explained, adding that “Jesus Christ himself” couldn’t convince her to continue with the series.
A key factor in Stause’s decision appears to be her evolving financial independence. “I’ve gotten to a place where I don’t need the show financially,” she stated, emphasizing her gratitude for other professional opportunities. However, the toll the show took on her mental well-being ultimately proved decisive. “It’s no longer good for my mental health,” she asserted.
Beyond the personal conflicts, Stause also leveled criticism at the show’s editing practices. She accused editors of selectively omitting footage that would have provided crucial context and presented her in a more favorable light. “I get it, they want to make a light show,” she said. “With Emma, I just look like an overbearing friend, but there are so many things that would’ve completely vindicated me and my opinion, and they left all of it out.”
The fallout with Hernan, in particular, appears to have been a significant source of stress. The conflict stemmed from Hernan’s defense of her boyfriend, Blake Davis, after Stause alleged he made disparaging remarks about G Flip’s gender identity, with G Flip using they/them pronouns. Stause further revealed disturbing details about Hernan’s past relationship with Davis, claiming Hernan confided in her about instances of verbal abuse. “They would break up, and she would tell me these horrific things that he would say to her, that he would do,” Stause claimed. “He thought it was funny to say, ‘If you ever do that again, I’ll beat you.’ Who jokes about that? It’s not funny.”
Neither Hernan nor Davis have publicly responded to Stause’s allegations or her departure from the show.
Despite her criticisms, Stause expressed no animosity toward Selling Sunset, acknowledging the opportunities it afforded her. While the show’s future remains uncertain – it has not yet been officially renewed for a tenth season – Stause wished the production “the best.” “If they do do another one, by then, I may not watch it. I don’t know,” she admitted. “But I have no ill will toward the show. The show has given me so many opportunities, and I don’t want to be bitter about it, even though I’m leaving not in the way that I would’ve loved.”
