Danielle Olivera announces 'heartbreaking' decision to leave Summer House ahead of season nine
Danielle Olivera announced her departure from Bravo's Summer House, which begins filming on its ninth season next month, in an emotional Instagram post.
On Tuesday, the reality star, 35, revealed it was a 'heartbreaking decision' that she made with 'a tremendous amount of thought.'
'Ultimately, I just need to trust my gut,' she wrote in a statement on her account. 'If I can't put 100% of myself into filming, genuinely and authentically, it really doesn't feel right doing it in a full time capacity. The network, production, my cast, and especially all of you deserve that.'
She continued: 'Right now I need to protect and prioritize the things that matter most to me — my company, my people, and of course myself.'
The New Jersey native concluded the post by expressing her gratitude to NBC Universal, Bravo and the show's production company, Truly Original, for supporting her choice not to return.
Danielle Olivera announced her departure from Bravo's Summer House, which begins filming on its ninth season next month; seen in February 2024
Olivera joined Summer House as a full-time cast member in season two, which aired back in 2018.
In season four, she opted to go part-time in a 'friend' role on the series.
I was fortunate enough to be able to take a step back season 4 as well, and it ended up working out better than I imagined,' Olivera wrote in her Instagram post.
In addition to capturing some of her career milestones, like launching her personal styling app, Donne, the cameras also captured some of her most painful memories.
This includes her falling out with former best friend Lindsay Hubbard in season seven.
Later that year, however, they managed to rebuild each other's trust.
After mending their friendship during the season seven reunion, season eight of Summer House continued to show them on good terms.
In February, Olivera split with Southern Hospitality star Joe Bradley after several months of dating.
On Tuesday, the reality star, 35, revealed it was a 'heartbreaking decision' that she made with 'a tremendous amount of thought'
'Ultimately, I just need to trust my gut,' she wrote in a statement on Instagram. 'If I can't put 100% of myself into filming, genuinely and authentically, it really doesn't feel right doing it in a full time capacity. The network, production, my cast, and especially all of you deserve that'
She continued: 'Right now I need to protect and prioritize the things that matter most to me — my company, my people, and of course myself'
While appearing on the Gabbing with Gib podcast, the TV personality implied that their seven-year age gap may have been a factor in their split.
'I just don't think I'm in a position as a 28-year-old guy who works at a nightclub to be the caliber of man for Danielle Olivera, who is just ahead of me in life in a lot of ways, as far as maturity and where she stands in her career,' Bradley told listeners.
He continued: 'I'm in this tiny little quaint town in Charleston, and she's running laps in the big city like she always has.'
'I want to be with someone like Danielle, I just don't think I deserve Danielle,' he admitted. 'I don't think at this stage of my life I'm the right guy for her, so it was best for us to end things on good terms.'
Olivera joined Summer House as a full-time cast member in season two, which aired back in 2018 (seen earlier this year)
Despite parting ways, Bradley shared some of their 'best memories' including how they fatefully crossed paths at BravoCon in November.
After developing feelings for each other at the fan convention, the former couple went on to visit each other in New York, where Olivera resides.
'I think it was amicable. Both of us kind of knew. It was definitely mutual,' he stated. 'I think we both knew it was time, but we didn't want to let go because we do have strong feelings for each other. It sucks.'
Still, Bradley says he considers his ex one of his 'closest friends.'
'The last thing I want to do is hurt her,' he added. 'Who knows what will happen later on? Maybe [she was] the right girl at the wrong time, but I adore Danielle and I can't think of a single negative thing to say about.'
He then mused that he could 'think of 100 negative things to say about' himself.
