In a heartfelt decision that closes a major chapter in her reality TV career, Selling Sunset star and soap opera alum Chrishell Stause has officially announced her departure from the hit Netflix series. The actress, who once captivated daytime fans on Days of our Lives, The Young and the Restless, and All My Children, says the show no longer aligns with her mental health or creative ambitions.
Key Takeaways
- Chrishell Stause confirmed she’s leaving Selling Sunset after nine seasons.
- She says the show is “no longer good for my mental health.”
- Stause, a daytime veteran, plans to pursue acting and LGBTQ+ creative projects.
A Difficult Decision to Move On
Stause revealed to Bustle that the decision to walk away wasn’t easy. “I’ve vacillated back and forth with this decision in the past,” she explained. The opportunity was life-changing, but the emotional toll was hard to ignore. “Even Jesus Christ himself couldn’t get me to come back for season 10,” she quipped, noting that showrunner Adam DiVello had been “calling and texting 100 times a day.”
After years of behind-the-scenes tension, social media criticism, and headline-making drama, Stause decided it was time to prioritize her peace. “I’ve gotten to a place where I don’t need the show financially,” she said. “I’m lucky to have other forms of employment, because it’s no longer good for my mental health.”
Standing Up for Herself and Others
Throughout her nine-season run, Stause often found herself at the center of Selling Sunset’s most explosive moments. This season, she clashed with castmates and took issue with how editing shaped her image. “They left out so many things that would’ve completely vindicated me,” she said. “I just look like an overbearing friend, but there’s a lot the audience never saw.”
Stause, who is married to musician G Flip, also opened up about the challenges of being the show’s only queer-identified cast member. “I think people think they’re allies, but they don’t realize the difference in lived experience,” she shared. “It took a while for them to take my relationship seriously.”
What’s Next for Chrishell
Now, Stause is ready to focus on projects that reflect her values and creative vision. She’s expressed interest in hosting The Ultimatum: Queer Love if it finds a new network home, and she’s pitching a more inclusive dating competition. She also hopes to return to acting — her first love — and is currently shopping a new script and pursuing more queer-led roles. “Since I’ve come out, I want to lean in,” she said. “Let’s do a holiday movie where I’m leading it and we’re telling queer stories.”
For the actress who built a career on resilience, this next chapter feels like the right one. “I’m not a quitter,” Stause said, reflecting on her reality TV farewell. “But I promised myself — I’ll never have to do this again.”
