Chrishell Stause Bids Farewell to Selling Sunset and Former Castmates

Chrishell Stause has made headlines recently with her decision to exit the popular Netflix reality series Selling Sunset after being a fixture on the show since its 2019 premiere. In a revealing move that speaks volumes about her current relationships, the 44-year-old real estate agent and former soap star has unfollowed nearly all her castmates on Instagram, maintaining a connection only with Chelsea Lazkani. This digital distancing comes after what appears to have been a challenging final season, where Stause found herself increasingly at odds with most of her co-stars. The season 9 cast included Chelsea, Nicole Young, Emma Hernan, Bre Tiesi, Sandra Vergara, and Mary Bonnet, but it seems that only Chelsea remains in Stause’s good graces following her departure from the show.

Speaking candidly to Bustle, Stause explained that her decision to leave wasn’t financially motivated but rather a matter of preserving her mental health. “I’ve gotten to a place where I don’t need the show financially,” she shared in the November 7 interview. “I’m lucky to have other forms of employment, because it’s no longer good for my mental health.” Despite the circumstances of her exit, Stause maintains she harbors “no ill will toward the show,” acknowledging that Selling Sunset has provided her with numerous opportunities. Her gratitude is tempered with a sense of resignation about how her journey on the show concluded: “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.” This balanced perspective shows Stause’s maturity and ability to recognize the positive impact the show had on her career, even as she decides it’s time to move on.

Stause’s decision to leave stems from escalating tensions with castmates, particularly ongoing feuds with Nicole Young and former friend Emma Hernan. What makes this especially disappointing for Stause is that the season began on a promising note. “It felt like I was in a good place with everyone — I felt happy and strong about the real estate aspect,” she told Variety in October. “This tends to happen with this show. When you think you’re going to have a pretty easy season, without fail, those are the ones that end up being the hardest.” The contrast between her initial optimism and the eventual reality of the situation underscores the unpredictable nature of reality television, where interpersonal dynamics can shift dramatically over the course of filming.

During her interview with Variety, Stause reflected on her time on the show with a mix of satisfaction and frustration. “I liked this season. I don’t think I had a hard season. It’s just the way it culminates with the reunion, and how everything landed,” she explained. “It’s interesting that I went into the season thinking everything was going to be easy. Never say those famous last words.” Her comments suggest that while the filming process itself may not have been particularly difficult, the reunion special proved to be the breaking point. Reunions are notorious for bringing simmering tensions to the surface, and it appears this one was especially difficult for Stause to navigate, ultimately cementing her decision to leave the show behind.

The reunion special seems to have been particularly pivotal in Stause’s decision-making process. She described it as “brutal” and characterized the experience as feeling “a little bit like a dog pile,” suggesting she felt ganged up on by her castmates. In that moment of heightened tension, Stause realized she had reached her limit: “In that moment, I realized I will be done here going forward. I wish everyone the best, but this isn’t the place for me.” Her comment about hoping “they never tell me” when filming for a potential new season begins speaks volumes about her desire for a clean break from the show that made her a household name. After years in front of the cameras, navigating both professional challenges in the competitive Los Angeles real estate market and personal dramas that played out for viewers to see, Stause appears ready to close this chapter of her life.

As Selling Sunset continues to stream on Netflix, fans of the show are left to wonder what future seasons might look like without Stause’s presence. She has been a central figure since the beginning, with her personal and professional journey providing many memorable moments throughout the series’ run. Her divorce from This Is Us actor Justin Hartley, her romance with boss Jason Oppenheim, and her subsequent relationship with G Flip all played out on screen, making her departure significant for the show’s dynamic. While Stause leaves the door open for the show’s continued success without her, stating, “If they do continue, I wish them the best,” her exit marks the end of an era for Selling Sunset and signals a new beginning for Stause herself as she prioritizes her well-being over reality TV fame. For viewers who have followed her journey from the beginning, her departure represents a reminder that sometimes the healthiest choice is to walk away from situations that no longer serve our best interests.