Nicole Young Was Fired From Selling Sunset—Here’s What Really Happened

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October 30, 2025

Nicole Young Was Fired From Selling Sunset—Here’s What Really Happened

Season 9 of Selling Sunset brought the glitz, the glamour, and—as always—the drama. But this time, the fallout went beyond tears and tension. It ended with Nicole Young’s departure from the Oppenheim Group after a fiery confrontation with Chrishell Stause.

For fans who’ve been following the show since its debut, Nicole’s exit marks one of the most dramatic shake-ups in the series’ history. The realtor, who had been with the brokerage since 2014, found herself at the center of a controversy that not only divided the cast but also raised questions about where the line should be drawn when personal conflict spills into professional territory.

So what exactly happened? Why did Jason and Brett Oppenheim decide to let Nicole go? And is she really done with the Oppenheim Group? Let’s break down the drama, the decisions, and what Nicole has to say about it all.

The Fight That Changed Everything

The drama reached its boiling point during Amanza Smith’s “Galsgiving” dinner in episode two. What was supposed to be a festive gathering quickly turned tense when old wounds resurfaced.

The tension had been building since season 8, when Nicole spread a rumor about Emma Hernan allegedly having an affair with a married man. By the time the ladies gathered for dinner, the air was thick with unresolved conflict. Amanza used the opportunity to confront Nicole about the rumor, and things escalated from there.

Then came the moment that sealed Nicole’s fate. Chrishell accused Nicole of being on drugs during a girls’ trip to Palm Springs back in season 6—an accusation Nicole had previously denied. When pressed about it again at the dinner, Nicole fired back with a comment that crossed a line.

“Honey, you’re confusing me with your parents,” Nicole said, referencing Chrishell’s late parents, who had struggled with addiction. She followed up with, “You seem to be obsessed with drugs.”

The room went silent. For Chrishell, whose parents’ struggles and deaths have been deeply personal topics she’s shared on the show, the comment was devastating. For Jason and Brett Oppenheim, it was the final straw.

Why Jason and Brett Had to Step In

In episode three, Jason and Brett called Nicole into the office for a conversation that would change her status with the brokerage. Jason explained that the escalating issues between Nicole and several cast members had created an untenable situation.

“I could not believe the comment you made about Chrishell’s parents,” Jason said. “Any reference to someone’s dead parents is categorically off limits, especially if it’s disparaging.”

Brett and Jason both described Nicole’s behavior as “incredibly toxic,” and they made it clear that her comment about Chrishell’s parents was a step too far. They told her she would have to leave the office, calling it “the only solution.”

Nicole questioned the decision, pointing to her decade-long tenure and the business she’d brought to the brokerage. She felt betrayed, believing that Jason and Brett knew who she really was and that the decision was unfair given the circumstances.

“I was never fired from the office or The Oppenheim Group,” Nicole later clarified in an interview. As an independent contractor, she maintains that she was simply asked to leave the office—not terminated from the brokerage entirely.

Still, the distinction matters little when the result is the same: Nicole was no longer welcome at the Oppenheim Group office, and her time as a central figure in the Selling Sunset cast appeared to be over.

Nicole’s Side of the Story

Nicole has been vocal about her perspective on the situation, and she doesn’t regret her actions. She describes Season 9 as “a lot,” but stands by her behavior, framing it as a reaction to what she perceives as Chrishell’s projection.

“Chrishell talked about her parents having struggled with drug addiction during her childhood,” Nicole said. “It was an aha moment for me, because it was like, ‘This seems like maybe her obsession with drugs has nothing to do with me. This might just be some unresolved, deep-seated issues from childhood.'”

Nicole believes that Chrishell’s repeated accusations about her drug use stem from unresolved trauma rather than anything Nicole actually did. She also pointed out that she was trying to avoid “jab after jab after jab,” and eventually, she snapped back.

As for apologizing to Chrishell? Not happening. Nicole has made it clear that she doesn’t plan to offer an apology, and she’s moved on from the situation entirely. She’s still friends with Mary Bonnet, but her relationship with Amanza is “permanently in the past” after Amanza claimed they had done cocaine together—a claim Nicole denies.

On Instagram, Nicole doubled down on her stance, sharing a video with a caption about projection: “Projection is the mental process in which an individual attributes their own internal thoughts, beliefs, emotions, experiences, and personality traits onto another person. Be smart enough to recognize when it’s happening and then take notes because they just showed you their hand!”

Is Nicole Really Gone?

Here’s where things get interesting. Despite being asked to leave the Oppenheim Group office, Nicole still appears as a realtor associate on the brokerage’s official website. This has left fans wondering: Is she really done with the company?

The answer seems to be yes—at least in Los Angeles. Toward the end of season nine, Nicole revealed that she and her husband Brandon are moving to Nashville. Half of Brandon’s family lives there, and her parents are planning to buy a place as well. Everything, she said, was pointing toward the move.

“The situation at the office certainly isn’t the reason but it definitely solidifies that it’s the right decision,” Nicole explained to Mary.

Nicole has already listed her LA home on Instagram, signaling that the move is either imminent or already underway. In response to a question about whether she was moving to a bigger or smaller place, she replied, “Bigger house.”

While she’s leaving LA behind, Nicole isn’t abandoning real estate altogether. She plans to continue her career in Nashville while wrapping up her remaining listings in Los Angeles. “My new priority will be Nashville, but it definitely won’t be goodbye to LA real estate,” she said.

What the Cast Thinks

Reactions to Nicole’s departure have been mixed among the cast. Bre Tiesi wasn’t surprised by the decision and expressed pride in Jason for taking action. For her, Nicole’s behavior had crossed a line, and the Oppenheim brothers were right to address it.

Chrishell, understandably, was deeply hurt by Nicole’s comments. The loss of her parents is something she’s been open about on the show, and having that pain weaponized against her was a betrayal she couldn’t overlook.

Amanza, who hosted the dinner where the blowup occurred, also played a central role in the fallout. Her decision to confront Nicole about the Emma rumor set the stage for the evening’s drama, and her later claim about doing drugs with Nicole only deepened the rift between them.

Mary, on the other hand, has managed to stay neutral. She remains friends with Nicole even as the rest of the group has moved on, a testament to her ability to maintain relationships despite the chaos.

The Bigger Picture: Drama, Boundaries, and Reality TV

Nicole’s departure raises important questions about boundaries in reality TV. Where’s the line between entertaining conflict and genuinely harmful behavior? When does drama cross into toxicity?

For Jason and Brett, the answer was clear: comments about someone’s deceased parents are off-limits, no matter the context. It’s a standard that many fans and cast members agree with, even if they sympathize with Nicole’s frustration at being repeatedly accused of drug use.

But Nicole’s perspective also resonates with viewers who feel that reality TV thrives on pushing buttons and stirring conflict. She believes she was reacting to ongoing provocations, and that her comment—while harsh—was a response to being backed into a corner.

Ultimately, the situation highlights the messy intersection of personal relationships, professional obligations, and the performative nature of reality television. The cast members of Selling Sunset are real people with real emotions, but they’re also playing characters in a scripted narrative designed to keep viewers hooked.

What’s Next for Nicole Young

As Nicole settles into her new life in Nashville, she’s focused on building her real estate career in a new market. She’s wrapping up her remaining LA listings and preparing to establish herself in Tennessee’s competitive housing scene.

Whether she’ll return to Selling Sunset in any capacity remains to be seen. Given the circumstances of her departure and her move across the country, it seems unlikely—but in the world of reality TV, you can never say never.

For now, Nicole is moving forward, unapologetic and unbothered. She’s made peace with her decision, even if the rest of the cast hasn’t.

Keep the Drama Alive With Selling Sunset Merch

If you’re obsessed with the drama, the real estate, or just the sheer chaos of Selling Sunset, you can bring a piece of the show into your everyday life. Check out these fan-favorite items:

Whether you watch for the houses, the drama, or the iconic transition music, there’s something for every superfan.

Final Thoughts: When Reality TV Gets Too Real

Nicole Young’s exit from Selling Sunset is a reminder that reality TV isn’t just entertainment—it’s real people navigating real consequences. While the show thrives on drama, there are moments when conflict goes too far, and this was one of them.

Jason and Brett’s decision to ask Nicole to leave the office was a tough call, but it reflected their commitment to maintaining a respectful workplace environment. Nicole, for her part, stands by her actions and is ready to move forward.

As Season 9 continues to unfold, fans will be watching closely to see how the rest of the cast moves forward without Nicole. One thing’s for sure: Selling Sunset wouldn’t be the same without a little chaos—and this season delivered in spades.

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