Chrishell Stause, a prominent figure on Netflix’s reality hit Selling Sunset, has strongly hinted at her potential departure from the show. Her comments follow the airing of the ninth season and a particularly contentious reunion special, leaving fans to speculate about her future with the Oppenheim Group agents. The reality star revealed her unfiltered opinions on a range of issues, from her fractured friendship with Emma Hernan to her persistent conflict with Nicole Young.
Speaking candidly in a revealing interview with Variety on October 31, shortly after the season nine premiere on October 29, Stause reflected on the intense drama. She admitted to being caught off guard by the season’s difficulties, despite her initial optimism. "I felt good with everyone, happy and strong in the real estate part," she shared, recalling her mindset at the start of filming. "This usually happens on this show. When you think you’re going to have a pretty easy season, those are always the ones that end up being the hardest."
Stause indicated that while she ultimately enjoyed the season, it was the "brutal" reunion, scheduled for November 5, that served as a breaking point. "I liked this season. I don’t think I had a tough season. It’s just the way it culminates with the reunion and how everything ended," she explained. This gathering solidified her frustrations, suggesting that the on-screen and off-screen conflicts had become too much.
A major point of contention for Stause revolves around her fallout with Emma Hernan, specifically concerning Hernan’s boyfriend, Blake Davis. Stause asserted that significant context regarding Davis was "omitted" from the show, painting a misleading picture. She found his personality "truly dangerous" after a single encounter, citing his alleged threat to sue her into financial ruin.
Stause further elaborated on deeply problematic comments allegedly made by Davis, including comparing non-binary individuals to a mental illness. "That’s my partner, whom I love very much," she emphasized, highlighting how such remarks directly impacted her. Despite Davis initially appearing "kind" to her, his alleged behavior off-camera, coupled with these disturbing views, became a core issue for Stause.
She expressed sadness over the situation with Hernan, recounting how she had initially tried to be empathetic and supportive as a friend, helping Hernan through difficult periods with Davis. However, Hernan’s repeated returns to him and subsequent disengagement from Stause led to a painful realization. "Over time, I had to understand that they are aligned, and that’s her decision. But it’s not something I want in my life," Stause stated, concluding that their values no longer align. Their friendship, once strong, is now effectively over, with Stause explicitly saying, "I don’t want to be her friend anymore."
Another source of friction for Stause was her limited interaction with Bre Tiesi during filming. Stause attributed this to Tiesi’s ongoing legal issues, which involved three former employees suing her for alleged inappropriate workplace behavior. This legal constraint, Stause believes, hindered authentic on-screen conversations. "When Chelsea and Emma were against Bre, I was hesitant. I wanted to hear it from Bre. I needed to talk to her, and now everything changed all of a sudden," Stause explained.
Stause also claimed Tiesi made disparaging comments about her partner, G Flip. She indicated she was shown evidence and put in contact with people who could corroborate Tiesi’s private remarks. "I even saw text messages," Stause noted, adding that she witnessed Tiesi losing her temper with staff members. These personal attacks, particularly concerning her partner, were profoundly upsetting to Stause.
She intentionally kept her distance from Tiesi during filming. "If I can’t have a real conversation, then I don’t want to have a fake one," Stause said, feeling constrained by the situation and the show’s reluctance to address sensitive topics like potential racism or homophobia.
The long-standing feud with Nicole Young escalated significantly when Young made comments about Stause’s mother and stepfather. Stause found this deeply offensive, stating that it was a "topic that should be off-limits." While she acknowledged that she "could have reacted better," she maintained that mentioning deceased parents is "almost unforgivable."
Stause expressed satisfaction that Young was later "disassociated" from The Oppenheim Group, clarifying that it wasn’t a definitive dismissal but a practical shift. She suggested that Jason Oppenheim was under pressure from production to maintain a lighter tone for the show. Young, while still participating in interviews and the reunion, was reportedly no longer part of group dinners or open houses, operating as an independent contractor.
Stause also recounted her cautious approach to newcomer Sandra Vergara, who she noted lacked a real estate license at the time of filming. Stause defended her decision to maintain distance, explaining that being too friendly could still lead to negative perceptions. "If I’m mean to you, you’ll go around saying I’m mean. If I try to be kind, you’ll do what she did," Stause reasoned. She was upset about having been kind to Vergara, only to hear negative remarks about her behind her back.
A particularly unsettling incident involved an accusation by Stause that Vergara had keyed an assistant’s car. While Vergara denied it, Stause admitted her source for this information later stole from her, compromising the credibility. Despite this, Stause felt Vergara’s initial reaction suggested guilt. Ultimately, Stause concluded that a friendship with Vergara is not in the cards, particularly after the reunion.
Reflecting on the reunion, Stause expressed regret for not taking more control of the narrative, especially concerning Bre Tiesi. She wished she had been able to present "the truth, facts, and things that are already public domain" rather than letting Tiesi dictate her own story. Stause felt "retracted" at the time, preventing her from addressing the issues head-on.
The cumulative effect of these unresolved conflicts and the intensity of the reunion seems to have pushed Stause to a critical juncture regarding her commitment to Selling Sunset. When asked about returning for another season, her response was telling. "The reunion was brutal. At that moment, I realized that my time here is over. I wish them the best, but this is not my place," she stated, describing the experience as a "mountain" on her.
Stause’s final comment on the matter, "I hope they never tell me when they start filming," leaves little doubt that she is seriously contemplating, if not already decided, on stepping away from the show that made her a household name. Her candid revelations suggest a deep desire for authenticity that may no longer be compatible with the demands of reality television.