Summer has bid adieu to Paige DeSorbo, as the 32-year-old fashion maven announced on June 5th, Thursday, through her Instagram Stories, that she would not be reprising her role in Season 10 of "Summer House." She penned, "I have a heartfelt update to share: I've decided to step away from 'Summer House.'"
"Being a part of this show has etched unforgettable memories in the annals of my life – the friendships, the melodramas, the heartfelt giggles, all indelible," she continued. "You've witnessed my growth over these seven sun-drenched summers. I am eternally grateful for the cherished moments, the camaraderie, and the myriad opportunities this exhilarating journey has bestowed upon me. But, as all wonderful things (and a few regrettable decisions) must come to an end, it's time to close this chapter."
She concluded her message with, "To my fellow cast members, the avid fans, and my NBCU family: thank you from the depths of my heart. I could never have fathomed where this journey would lead – or how many of you would embark on it alongside me. Rest assured, you haven't seen the last of me. There's much more to create together, but for the meantime, know that you can always find me and Daphne nestled in my cozy bed."
Though Berner, 33, exited "Summer House" after Season 5 amidst a dispute with original cast member Kyle Cooke, DeSorbo solidified her place as a mainstay in the Bravo series. She went on to star in two seasons of the "Summer House" spinoff, "Winter House," and embarked on a romance with fellow Bravo star Craig Conover from "Southern Charm" in 2021.
Away from the cameras, Berner and DeSorbo launched their podcast, "Giggly Squad," inspired by a phrase uttered by Cooke, 42, on "Summer House," in October 2020. The podcast garnered a loyal community of "Gigglers," and in the fall of 2024, Berner and DeSorbo embarked on a 60-city tour with their podcast.
At the tour's grand finale at Radio City Music Hall in New York City in January, DeSorbo shared with PEOPLE her immense pride in what they had accomplished. "We felt like we had conquered Radio City, surrounded by thousands of our closest friends, all engaged in spirited chatter," said the New York City resident. "Honestly, their presence made me feel incredibly at ease in such a grand venue. Even though I took a beta blocker, I didn't feel its effects once I was on stage. I was enveloped in comfort amidst them. Being home sweet home made the experience all the more special."
DeSorbo is venturing into new territories too. Two days before announcing her departure from "Summer House," she unveiled Daphne, her debut fashion label. "As someone who firmly believes that style should never compromise comfort, Daphne was conceived from my aspiration to craft high-quality, stylish loungewear that is accessible, empowering, and joyful," DeSorbo stated in a press release about the sleepwear line, which will debut with a 12-piece collection. "Whether you're acing a Zoom call or lounging leisurely on a lazy Sunday morning, I want everyone to feel their utmost confidence and chicness."
DeSorbo grabbed headlines towards the end of last year after she decided to part ways with Conover shortly after Thanksgiving in 2024. Conover, aged 36, had already purchased an engagement ring for DeSorbo and had agreed to relocate from Charleston, S.C., to New York City to be with the podcast host and embark on a family journey together. Speaking to The New York Times, DeSorbo remarked, "I commend myself for making a challenging decision, even though the public's reaction was, 'You're making a mistake; you'll never find anyone like him again.'"
Viewers witnessed escalating tensions between the pair leading up to DeSorbo's podcast tour, which was featured in the most recent season of "Summer House." During a Season 9 episode, DeSorbo expressed, "I'm thrilled about the tour, but it saddens me that Craig's immediate reaction is, 'Oh, our relationship is just going to crumble.' I genuinely expected my boyfriend to say, 'This is amazing! You should feel incredibly proud and focus solely on your tour without worries.' However, that wasn't the response I received. It was quite a shock."
Post her podcast tour with Berner, DeSorbo quickly resumed her work commitments. In April, she and Berner co-authored a book titled "How to Giggle: A Guide to Taking Life Less Seriously." Sharing her thoughts with PEOPLE, DeSorbo said, "I've always dreamed of being one of those girls who brings a book on vacation and reads it cover to cover. I'll never be her, and that's perfectly fine. I believe that's the appeal of 'How to Giggle'—you can pick it up at any point, read a chapter, put it down, and come back to it later. We grew up with Cosmopolitan, those quizzes, and magazines, so we wanted it to evoke a similar feeling."
Similar to her appearances on "Summer House" and her podcast, DeSorbo didn't hold anything back in her book. She revealed, "When I post on my Instagram Story, I forget that 400,000 people will see it. When we're recording the podcast, I don't think about the listeners. While writing the book, I forgot people were reading it." The Bravo star emphasized that she never considered "Summer House" as a job, stating, "They're my genuine friends."
As mentioned in Season 9 of "Summer House," DeSorbo desires to prioritize her career at this stage in her life. She explained, "If a 32-year-old man said, 'Actually, I want to focus on my career for a few more years,' the response would be, 'He's wise and knows what he's doing.' But when it's a woman, they say, 'That's scary.' I'm not against marriage, children, or men. I yearn to get married and have a baby. I eagerly anticipate that part of my life, but I want to do it on my own terms, with the person I truly want."
"Summer House" is currently streaming on Peacock.
