Chrishell Stause is officially saying goodbye to Selling Sunset. After nine seasons on Netflix’s hit real estate docu-soap, the longtime cast member confirmed she’s leaving the series, citing personal growth and mental health as the driving reasons behind her decision.
In a candid interview published Nov. 7 by Bustle, Stause said she’d wrestled with the choice for some time before deciding the show no longer aligned with her life or well-being. Despite acknowledging what the platform has done for her career, she made it clear that her time on the Sunset Strip has reached a natural end.
Stause, a central figure across multiple seasons and reunions, has been at the heart of the series’ biggest storylines, from high-stakes listings to combustible office drama. But as the Oppenheim Group’s reality sphere expanded, so did the scrutiny—something the star now believes is no longer worth the personal toll.
Why Chrishell Stause Is Leaving Selling Sunset
Stause told Bustle she had “vacillated back and forth” about walking away, admitting that “coming from nothing, it’s really hard to turn something like this down.” Yet even the pull of a global hit couldn’t overcome the strain. After years of on-camera conflict, she said not even “Jesus Christ himself” could persuade her to return.
Financial necessity, she added, is no longer part of the equation. “I’ve reached a place where I don’t need the show financially,” Stause explained. “I’m fortunate to have other opportunities because continuing on the show is no longer good for my mental health.”
The tipping point arrived at a reunion taping, where she decided to make peace with closing the chapter. “After so many hours, I thought, ‘Sit here, get through it. You’re not a quitter, but you never have to do this again,’” she recalled. “And I promise you, to your soul, you won’t.”
Stause’s acknowledgment underscores a recurring theme among reality veterans: longevity in front of the cameras can come with escalating personal costs. For her, the burnout superseded the benefits.
On Editing, Storylines & Feeling Misrepresented
While Stause offered gratitude for the show’s impact on her profile and career, she also addressed how she believes certain storylines shaped (and sometimes skewed) the audience’s perception of her. Referencing season arcs involving Emma Hernan, Stause said she felt the edit left her looking like “an overbearing friend” and omitted context that would have made her perspective clearer.
She pointed to alleged offensive comments about non-binary people attributed to Hernan’s boyfriend, Blake Davis, as a flashpoint that wasn’t fully represented on-screen. “There were so many things that would have completely vindicated me and my perspective, and they left all of that out,” Stause said.
Although selective editing is a byproduct of unscripted television, Stause’s remarks highlight the gap between lived experience and final cut—especially when sensitive topics intersect with interpersonal drama. That disconnect, compounded over multiple seasons, appears to have contributed to her decision to step away.
Despite frustrations with how some moments played, Stause emphasized she isn’t leaving angry. “If they continue, I wish them the best,” she said of the series moving forward. “By the time they do another season, I may not even watch it. But I harbor no ill will toward the show—it’s given me countless opportunities, and I don’t want to be bitter about leaving, even if it’s not in the way I would have preferred.”
Life After Selling Sunset: What’s Next For Stause
Stause, who married musician G Flip in 2023, is ready to channel her energy into projects that reflect where she is now—both personally and creatively. Since publicly embracing her queer identity, she’s found new momentum and clarity about the kinds of roles she wants to pursue.
“Since coming out, I’ve done four or five things that were queer,” she said. “At first I thought, ‘I can still play straight!’ But now I want to lean in. I’d love to lead a holiday movie with queer stories at the center.”
That pivot suggests a broader creative lane for Stause beyond luxury real estate, from acting opportunities that foreground LGBTQ+ narratives to potential producing ventures that align with her values. It’s a logical evolution for a performer who has parlayed reality fame into a wider entertainment presence—one that prioritizes authenticity over spectacle.
Her exit also marks a notable shift for Selling Sunset. Stause has been a narrative engine since the show’s early days, shaping everything from office alliances to season-defining conflicts. Without her, the series will have to redistribute screen time and stakes among the remaining agents, recalibrating dynamics that have long hinged on her point of view.
Still, Stause appears resolute—and at peace. Leaving a phenomenon after nine seasons isn’t easy, but her remarks make clear that the move is about choosing long-term health and happiness over short-term headlines. For a show built on ambition and image, it’s a rare on-the-record boundary that might resonate with viewers who’ve watched the pressure mount in real time.
Whether or not she tunes in to future seasons, Stause’s footprint on Selling Sunset is substantial. And if her next act centers queer-forward storytelling and projects that prioritize character over chaos, it may give fans a new lens on a star they’ve primarily known through reality TV. As she puts it, she’s not quitting—she’s simply ready for what’s next.
