From verbal attacks, to dinner debacles, season 9 of Netflix’s Selling Sunset was full of drama. As a viewer, it’s easy to get wrapped into the world of confessionals and sidebar spats,however, when does a situation cross the line of drama and turn into toxicity?
The non scripted show features eight prominent L.A. realtors who work for the Oppenheim Group, also referred to as the O Group. The O Group is a highly successful and respected agency with offices in Los Angeles, Newport Beach, San Diego, and Cabo San Lucas. With over 4.5 billion in total sales that all generate extremely high commissions. Their offices are a constant battleground of competing for listings, poaching clients, and negotiations. All of this competition created a high tense atmosphere, where several cast members, like, Chelsea Lazanki, Mary Bonnet, Chrissell Stause, and Nicole Young, found themselves at the center of.
Chelsea Lazanki, who’s been a cast member since season five and a part of the agency since 2021, contributed messy drama to the show. Her ongoing issues with her coworker, Mary Bonnet, in past seasons carried into season nine. Lanzanki made it known that she planned to stay out of Bonnet’s way this season to avoid any further drama. However, when Bonnet’s home was robbed on Sunday, January 19 2025, the entire cast reached out to show support and give condolences. Over 130,000 dollars worth of jewelry, clothes, and handbags were stolen from Bonnet’s home. This robbery occurred during the L.A. fires that brought destruction to many neighborhoods, such as the Palisades and Eaton. Because of this, the majority of police resources were routed to fire needs, unfortunately leaving many areas open to alternative dangers. Lanzanki sent a vase of flowers with a card to Bonnet’s home, and unexpectedly when the gift was received, it was met with immediate distaste. The flowers were discarded and Bonnet said, “No I’m not doing this,” and told production to cut the cameras. Her anger stemmed from the assumption that the flowers were not genuine, due to being sent on camera. At a cast dinner Bonnet and Lanzanki had a conversation that grew into a big blow up argument, with Bonnet explaining her previously mentioned immediate judgement, while Lanzanki argued back that she had no alternative agenda and that it was truly out of worry for Bonnet. This led to the two women completely avoiding each other. Their beef was so extreme that, at another cast event when Lanzanki’s name was seen on a namecard, Bonnet began to erratically cry. This cry sparked online debates of self victimization and Bonnet’s potential manipulation of the situation. While that is up to interpretation, it’s without a doubt that her issues with Lanzanki grew to a point that was negatively affecting both women to a very unhealthy measure. Additionally, Bonnet made statements at the end of the season possibly alluding to her leaving the agency.
Leaving may possibly be the best choice. That’s what ended up happening to long-time cast and agency member of eleven years, Nicole Young. She had an ongoing beef with co-worker, Chrissell Stause. This all started back in season six when Young had resentment because of Stause’s previous relationship with their boss Jasson Oppenheim. Young made claims that Stause was receiving listings only because of her connection with Oppenheim. This started a tension that grew into dinner debacles with harsh words shared between both women, one from Stause claiming that Nicole was a drug addict. This accusation led to even larger anger between the women. When the cast had a friendsgiving, there was a group argument, one of the members Amanza Smith condemned Stause’s allegations of Nicole Young’s drug use, to which Stause replies, “Even if it’s true?” To this comment, Young said to Satuse, Honey, you’re confusing me with your parents.” This comment shocked the table, and led to many of the women leaving, and Young being asked to go. Post friendsgiving, Young had a meeting with the two bosses of the Oppenheim Group, Jason and Brett Oppenheim, where she was asked to leave the office. This decision was made by them as the beef between Stause and Young was becoming too prevalent and unhealthy. It no longer made a productive work space and was threatening the emotional safety of Stause.
Problems like this spark larger questions: “Are environments like this safe?Is consuming content like this safe for viewers?” To watch people engage in constant arguing and bullying is not the most healthy form of entertainment. A study ran by Dr. Christine Chapais showed that watching reality tv can negatively affect viewers through identity and anxiety challenges. This information combined with star cast member Chrishell Stauce announcing her leave of the show for her mental health, shows the downfalls of reality television. Viewers should constantly question the type of content they engage with because at what point does certain media change from entertainment to endangerment?
