Paige DeSorbo’s Candid Explanation for Departing Summer House
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Reality TV personality Paige DeSorbo has recently opened up about the reasons behind her decision to leave the popular series, Summer House, after seven seasons. During an interview with Byrdie, DeSorbo shared that she had a gut feeling that her time on the Bravo show had reached its conclusion. Having first joined the cast in 2019, she felt unable to meet the expectations of the show, stating, “I just had this overwhelming sense that I couldn’t go back. I know I would’ve been doing a disservice to [the show]. They accept a certain level of showing up, and I couldn’t give them that.”
DeSorbo, 32, who is best known for her role on Summer House, along with her close friend and co-host of the Giggly Squad podcast, Hannah Berner, reflected on their departure from the show. Both DeSorbo and Berner started on the reality series in season 3, with Berner leaving after two years due to conflicts with other cast members. DeSorbo admitted, “We’ve had people [from Summer House] verbatim say to us, ‘We don’t want to focus on your friendship this season.'” This led the duo to start their podcast, Giggly Squad, as a platform to share more of their perspectives and opinions.
The challenges of portraying personal relationships on reality TV were highlighted by DeSorbo as she detailed her struggles with her breakup from Southern Charm’s Craig Conover during her final season. Describing the experience, she expressed, “Being on reality TV, there’s a level — this is a harsh word — of, like, brainwashing. That’s not real life.” Berner added, “The truth is that on reality TV, if you stay in your own bed, you can’t fight with people.” This self-awareness about the nature of reality television dynamics seems to have influenced their decision to move on from the show.
Leaving Summer House meant entering a new chapter in DeSorbo’s career, a prospect that initially instilled fear and uncertainty within her. She confessed, “I definitely had to get over” the fear that departing from the show would mark the end of her career. However, with support from Berner, she embraced the idea that her professional path was not solely defined by the show and network. DeSorbo acknowledged the transition, saying, “I am assimilating back into society. I’m like, what do people do on a Saturday night in the summer?”
In reflecting on her departure from Summer House, DeSorbo took to Instagram in July to announce her decision not to return for another season. She expressed gratitude for the friendships and experiences the show had brought her, stating, “Being part of this show has been one of the most rewarding chapters of my life.” Despite leaving the show, she hinted at potential future collaborations, indicating that her journey in the entertainment industry was far from over.
While DeSorbo has left the door open for a potential return to reality TV in the future, she emphasized the importance of taking a break after her seven-year tenure on Summer House. As fans continue to follow her post-reality TV ventures, DeSorbo’s candid insights offer a glimpse into the complexities of navigating fame and personal growth in the public eye. With Summer House available for streaming on Peacock, viewers can relive DeSorbo’s memorable moments on the show while anticipating her next ventures in the entertainment industry.