Paige DeSorbo is closing one chapter and opening another, stepping away from Summer House after seven seasons and a highly public breakup with Southern Charm star Craig Conover. 

In a candid interview with Byrdie published September 16, the 32-year-old influencer revealed that leaving the show was a difficult but necessary choice. 

"I just had this overwhelming sense that I couldn't go back. I know I would've been doing a disservice to [the show]," DeSorbo explained. She also admitted that she had to overcome the fear that leaving could derail her career. "They expect a certain level of showing up, and I couldn't give them that." 

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The reality star credits her former co-star and Giggly Squad podcast co-host Hannah Berner with showing her that life after reality TV is full of possibilities. Since leaving Summer House in 2021, Berner has launched a successful stand-up career, highlighted by her Netflix special, We Ride at Dawn.

"I definitely had to get over the [feeling] that my career would be over," she said. "There's an element of thinking you need that show and network, and Hannah was reminding me they're not in charge of where you are in your career." 

Reflecting on her reality TV experience, DeSorbo acknowledged the pressures that came with being constantly filmed. 

"Being on reality TV, there's a level – this is a harsh word – of, like, brainwashing. That's not real life," she admitted, emphasizing how different real life is from the scripted moments on camera. "That's not real life. You're not stopping people on the street and being like, 'I just had a thought that I hate my boyfriend.'" 

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Fans of DeSorbo have fully embraced her decision, understanding that her journey on Summer House helped shape her into the powerhouse star she is today. Watching her grow up on the show, they never saw her exit as an ending but rather as the start of an exciting new chapter. Many believe that stepping away will allow her to explore opportunities that might have been limited by staying on the show, and they are eagerly anticipating what's next for her career.

In her June Instagram announcement, DeSorbo expressed gratitude for her time on the series.

"Being a part of this show has been one of the most rewarding chapters of my life – the friendships, the drama, the giggles, all unforgettable. You've seen me grow up over these last seven summers. I'll always be beyond grateful for the memories, the community, and the opportunities this wild ride has brought me. But like all good things (and some bad decisions), it's time for this chapter to close."

Looking ahead, DeSorbo remains open to future opportunities but doesn't see herself returning to ensemble reality TV anytime soon. 

"If something popped up in the next two years, maybe, but as of right now, I just don't see it for myself," she told the Bravo by Gays podcast in August.

DeSorbo's departure is less an ending and more a bold statement that reality TV is just one part of her story, and fans are ready to follow her wherever she goes next.