The future of Netflix’s reality show Selling Sunset is said to be up in the air, after reports of a huge behind the scenes bust-up between the cast members. The alleged backstage drama during filming for the eighth series started after Nicole Young accused fellow agent Emma Hernan of having an alleged affair with a married man.
The rumour is said to have split the cast, as some of the Oppenheim Group real estate agents are choosing sides and sticking with their friends, and the show’s producers. Some of the stars like Chrishell Stause and Chelsea Lazkani, along with Emma, have threatened to leave and potentially sue TV bosses.
‘Chrishell, Emma and Chelsea are all threatening to quit and sue the producers for creating fake storylines that are damaging,’ an insider told gossip site Radar Online.
‘A lot of the cast are saying they’re done being lied to and misled for ratings. They’re resigned to the show closing down and are predicting it will end with a bitter showdown in the courts that could leave everyone flat broke.’
The season eight reunion has already reportedly been scrapped because of the alleged feud - although no one from the show has commented.
Chrishell, 43, has threatened to leave the reality show as she sides with her ‘bestie’ Emma, berating Nicole for spreading ‘disgusting’ and ‘categorically false’ lies.
‘Are we really still giving air time to LIARS that just want air time? I will NEVER work on a show with her on it again. I would rather be sued,’ she said on Instagram.
She also attacked the show’s producers Done and Done Productions for allegedly not allowing Emma, 33, to ‘defend herself with the truth’. ‘You are disgusting for blindsiding her with this to see with the world instead of letting her at LEAST defend herself with the TRUTH,’ she posted.
Also on Emma’s side is castmate Chelsea, 31, who is also threatening to quit the programme. She called Nicole ‘the most diabolical piece of trash’ she had ever met and questioned the TV production company’s ‘moral ground and integrity’ and as she accused the show’s producers of ‘spreading lies for views’.
In an attempt to defend herself, Nicole, 38, said, ‘As a married woman, I strongly and confidently stand for the sanctity of all marriages. Instead of attacking me and accusing me of lying, I think you [Chrishell] need to ask your bestie some tough questions. Did she let you know she was directly confronted on camera at the season seven finale by the wife's best friend? Even still, I stated this info as a rumour.'
She added, 'And given both of you have been the victim of extramarital affairs, I would think you too would stand for the sanctity of all marriages.'
What did Nicole Young say about Emma Hernan?
Nicole brought up the rumour several times during the latest series.
‘I did hear from a reliable source that Emma has likely had relations with a married man,’ she told fellow realtors Mary Bonnet and newcomer Alanna Whittaker in the penultimate episode.
‘There are certain people you shouldn’t be involved with. Particularly if certain people have, I don’t know, certain jewellery on certain parts of their fingers.’
In the final episode, Nicole raised the subject again during a chat with Bre Tiesi.
‘I’d be careful in her position, because she’s been involved with people she shouldn’t have been. I wouldn’t trust Emma with my husband,’ she said.
How has Emma Hernan’s responded to Nicole Young’s comments?
Emma has called the cheating rumours ‘slander’ and ‘defamation’.
‘I was completely blindsided by all of this. I had no idea that this was going on the entire season. I did not find this out until right before when we got the screeners. It’s disgusting,’ she told E! News. ‘There’s zero truth to this. I wasn’t given a voice to even defend this and show the receipts, show all the proof.’
She has demanded an apology from Nicole, saying, ‘You’re an awful human being, and you owe me a sincere apology.’ Emma added, ‘Let me just tell you that this isn’t over. This is so damaging. What she has done to me, it’s disgusting. It is slander. It is defamation.’
Shereen Low is a Senior News and Entertainment Writer for Grazia UK.