Chrishell Stause Bids Farewell to Selling Sunset: Unpacking Her Explosive Departure

After nine seasons of high-stakes real estate and even higher drama, Chrishell Stause is officially stepping away from Selling Sunset. This isn't just a cast change; it's a bombshell that could reshape the entire series, as she opens up about mental health, on-set conflicts, and her future.

TL;DR: The Key Takeaways from Chrishell Stause's Departure

• Chrishell Stause has quit Selling Sunset after nine seasons, citing mental health concerns and financial independence.
• Her departure follows intense on-screen conflicts and accusations of selective editing by producers, allegedly influenced by ex-boss Jason Oppenheim.
• Stause's exit creates a "rainbow-shaped hole" in the show's representation, as she was its only openly queer cast member, and she plans to pursue new hosting and acting roles, including more queer stories.

The Unexpected Announcement: Why Chrishell Stause Is Stepping Away from the Oppenheim Group Drama

Imagine walking into your favorite restaurant, ready for your usual order, only to find out the head chef—the one who made everything delicious—has left for good. That's how many fans feel right now about Chrishell Stause's departure from Netflix's hit reality series, Selling Sunset.

Just days after the ninth season dropped and the reunion aired, Chrishell revealed her decision to quit, telling Bustle, "I’ve gotten to a place where I don’t need the show financially. I’m lucky to have other forms of employment, because it’s no longer good for my mental health." This isn't a sudden whim; she admitted to having "vacillated back and forth with this decision in the past." For someone who started on the show "having come from nothing," as she put it, turning down such a massive platform and income was clearly a deeply considered choice (Source: Bustle, "Chrishell Stause Moves On," November 7, 2025).

Navigating a Minefield of On-Set Conflicts and Production Ethics

Chrishell's tenure on Selling Sunset has been anything but quiet, often placing her at the epicenter of the show's most dramatic storylines. From her early rivalry with Christine Quinn to recent clashes with new cast members, she's been a constant source of compelling television. However, the latest season appears to have pushed her to a breaking point.

One major source of tension this season revolved around Chrishell's conflicts with costars, specifically regarding new castmate Sandra Vergara, who allegedly didn’t even have her real estate license at the time of filming. More notably, she was at odds with Emma Hernan over Emma's boyfriend, Blake Davis. Stause publicly expressed strong disapproval of Davis, alleging he compared being nonbinary to having a mental illness and made anti-trans comments. She also claimed he used "derogatory language" and even joked about physical abuse with Emma (Source: Bustle, "Chrishell Stause Moves On," November 7, 2025).

"He compared being nonbinary to having a mental illness... He constantly posts anti-trans stuff… He thinks it’s too woke if you don’t sing the N word in songs. He posted something the other day, with a gun in view, saying he wants to ‘sue [me for lying] my dick off.’"

— Chrishell Stause, on Blake Davis's alleged behavior (Source: Bustle, "Chrishell Stause Moves On," November 7, 2025)

The Frustrating Reality of Reality Television Editing Choices

A significant part of Chrishell's frustration stems from how these complex situations were presented to viewers. She believes the show’s editing painted her as the villain, omitting crucial details that would have "completely vindicated" her stance. "With Emma, I just look like an overbearing friend," she explained, despite her serious allegations against Blake Davis. Her castmates, including Emma and Blake, have denied some of these claims (Source: Bustle, "Chrishell Stause Moves On," November 7, 2025).

This concern about editing extends beyond her personal narrative. Following a controversial scene involving Mary Bonnet and Chelsea Lazkani, Chrishell took to Instagram, criticizing what she called "an all white production company" and "an exec producer credit and editing power to Jason who has power to say, if you don’t take that out, there is no show" (Source: Cosmopolitan, "Why Chrishell Called Out ‘Selling Sunset’ Producers," November 11, 2025). This pointed critique suggests a deeper issue with how narratives are crafted and potentially manipulated behind the scenes, impacting how cast members, especially those from marginalized communities like Chelsea, are perceived.

There's even an unconfirmed rumor circulating online, amplified by TikTok accounts, that a contentious scene featuring Jason and Mary allegedly firing Chelsea from The Oppenheim Group, during which Chelsea supposedly accused them of racism, was cut from season nine. The rumor suggests Jason demanded the cameras be turned off, threatening to cancel both Selling Sunset and Selling the OC if the footage aired. While unconfirmed by official sources or cast members, Chrishell's comments about Jason's editing influence lend some weight to the idea that certain narratives might indeed be suppressed (Source: Cosmopolitan, "Why Chrishell Called Out ‘Selling Sunset’ Producers," November 11, 2025).

The Emotional Toll of Living Life Under a Microscope

Chrishell openly discussed the difficulties of filming while undergoing IVF treatments, calling it "really hard" to go through that personal journey during production. Her efforts to secure viable embryos were unsuccessful, but with her partner G-Flip’s recent tour concluding, they plan to pursue egg retrieval again in hopes of conceiving via surrogate. She even considered another round of IVF once the post-reunion chatter died down, acknowledging the process is both "expensive as well" and a factor as she looks for new employment (Source: Bustle, "Chrishell Stause Moves On," November 7, 2025).

Beyond the medical journey, her experience as the show's only openly queer cast member has been isolating. She noted a stark difference in how her relationships were perceived after coming out. "I think in this group, it took a while for them to take my relationship seriously," she said. While she understood some initial "jarringness" given the public nature of her relationship with G-Flip, she realized that "people think they’re an ally, but they’re not realizing the lived experience" (Source: Bustle, "Chrishell Stause Moves On," November 7, 2025).

For example, imagine a viewer, let's call her Sarah, who has just started exploring her own sexuality in her 40s after years of being in heterosexual relationships. Seeing Chrishell Stause navigate her public coming out, her relationship with G-Flip, and the subsequent reactions from her castmates and the world, offered Sarah a rare, visible roadmap. When Chrishell felt isolated or misunderstood by her colleagues, it resonated deeply with Sarah's own experiences of friends not fully grasping her journey. This personal connection underscores the "people-first" value of Chrishell's storyline on a global platform.

Mixed Reactions and the Show's Future Without Its Star

Chrishell's departure has garnered a range of reactions from her castmates. Fellow agent Bre Tiesi wasn't surprised, telling Us Weekly, "She’s threatened it every season... I don’t really care if she’s there or not." Bre added, rather bluntly, that she hopes Chrishell "finds something better for her mental state and she can find some peace and she can move on and not be so miserable" (Source: The Tab, "'She’s so miserable': Bre brutally rips into Chrishell after announcing she’s quit Selling Sunset," 23 hours ago from November 8, 2025 article date).

This contrasts sharply with many fan and media perspectives. Chelsea Hui, an entertainment producer for Mamamia, lamented that a "little piece of my reality-TV-loving heart shrivelled up and died" when the news broke. Hui argued that Chrishell was "the show's anchor, the only one that felt remotely like an actual human being" and that the show is "doomed without her," having been "the heart, the drama, and the relatability of Selling Sunset" (Source: Mamamia, "I don't know about you, but when the news broke that Chrishell Stause is stepping away from Selling Sunset, a little piece of my reality-TV-loving heart shrivelled up and died," November 9, 2025).

Despite these sentiments, Netflix has not yet given season 10 the green light, but many are expecting it to return given its popularity. The question remains: can Selling Sunset truly succeed without its most "obvious star and moral center," as Bustle described her? Chrishell herself offered a diplomatic, if a little reserved, outlook: "If they do continue, I wish them the best... 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" (Source: Bustle, "Chrishell Stause Moves On," November 7, 2025).

Life After the Open Houses: What's Next for Chrishell Stause?

With Selling Sunset behind her, Chrishell is ready to explore new ventures. A former daytime soap actor, she’s keen to return to acting, even shopping a script she loves. Crucially, she wants to lean into more queer roles, noting, "Since I’ve come out, I think four or five things I’ve done have all been queer." She dreams of leading a holiday movie with queer storylines (Source: Bustle, "Chrishell Stause Moves On," November 7, 2025).

She also has ambitions in hosting, having previously campaigned on Instagram to host Netflix’s The Ultimatum: Queer Love (which was canceled). Stause is even pitching a new, "more fluid dating show with a competitive element," describing it as a "dream job" she has a passion for. Her wardrobe might even get "more gay," she joked, taking inspiration from "bossy lesbians" (Source: Bustle, "Chrishell Stause Moves On," November 7, 2025).

Chrishell envisions a post-Sunset life surrounded by "accepting, beautiful-hearted people," whether they're from the queer community or genuine allies who "will stand up and fight with us and use their voices." Her final reunion taping felt like an endurance test, a moment where she told herself, "'Sit here, get through it. You’re not a quitter, but you never have to do this again.'... 'And I promise you, to your soul, you won’t.'" This strong resolve truly signals a new chapter (Source: Bustle, "Chrishell Stause Moves On," November 7, 2025).

Frequently Asked Questions About Selling Sunset and Chrishell Stause Is Selling Sunset Season 10 confirmed? As of early November 2025, Netflix has not officially greenlit Season 10. However, given the show's popularity, many expect it to return (Source: Just Jared Jr., "'Selling Sunset' Season 10 Cast: 2 Stars Exit, 2 Are Undecided, Some Would Return Should Netflix Order New Episodes," November 10, 2025). Why did Chrishell Stause leave Selling Sunset? Chrishell Stause stated she left for her mental health, explaining that the show was no longer good for her wellbeing. She also mentioned she no longer needed the show financially and had other employment options (Source: Bustle, "Chrishell Stause Moves On," November 7, 2025). Who is G-Flip? G-Flip is Chrishell Stause's nonbinary partner and a musician. Their relationship became a central part of Chrishell's storyline on Selling Sunset, particularly in later seasons (Source: Bustle, "Chrishell Stause Moves On," November 7, 2025). What were the key conflicts for Chrishell Stause in Season 9? Chrishell's main conflicts in Season 9 included friction with Nicole Young over alleged past drug use, issues with new cast member Sandra Vergara, and a significant disagreement with Emma Hernan regarding Emma's boyfriend, Blake Davis, over alleged homophobic and transphobic comments (Source: Bustle, "Chrishell Stause Moves On," November 7, 2025). Practical Takeaways for Viewers and Reality TV Fans

• Expect a New Era for Selling Sunset: Without Chrishell, the show will undoubtedly shift. Brace for new dynamics and potentially a search for a new "moral compass," if one emerges.
• Mental Health Matters, Even in Reality TV: Chrishell's candidness highlights the intense pressures reality stars face. Her choice underscores the importance of prioritizing personal wellbeing over fame or financial gain.
• Question the Narrative: Be a critical viewer. Chrishell's comments about editing and Jason Oppenheim's alleged influence serve as a reminder that what you see on screen is a carefully constructed story.
• Demand Authentic Representation: Chrishell's departure leaves a void in queer representation on the show. Support shows that genuinely champion diverse voices and lived experiences.
• Follow Chrishell's Next Steps: Her future projects, especially in hosting and queer acting roles, promise exciting new avenues for her fans to continue connecting with her journey.

Sources:

• Bustle, "Chrishell Stause Moves On," by Katie Heaney, November 7, 2025.
• Mamamia, "I don't know about you, but when the news broke that Chrishell Stause is stepping away from Selling Sunset, a little piece of my reality-TV-loving heart shrivelled up and died," by Chelsea Hui, November 9, 2025.
• Just Jared Jr., "'Selling Sunset' Season 10 Cast: 2 Stars Exit, 2 Are Undecided, Some Would Return Should Netflix Order New Episodes," by JJ Staff, November 10, 2025.
• The Tab, "'She’s so miserable': Bre brutally rips into Chrishell after announcing she’s quit Selling Sunset," by Hayley Soen, Published approx. November 8, 2025 (23 hours ago from article timestamp).
• Cosmopolitan, "Why Chrishell Called Out ‘Selling Sunset’ Producers," by Corinne Sullivan, November 11, 2025.