If you’re anything like us, you can’t get enough of the mix of voyeuristic extreme luxury real estate, petty drama, and hot co-worker hook-ups (all who happen to be decked out head-to-toe in designer garb) that “Selling Sunset” has to offer. It’s time to…strip…down the show’s facade and indulge in all the behind-the-scenes tidbits and titillating love connections.
"Real" Estate Agents
The cast of the reality show, believe it or not, are all qualified real estate agents! Internet icon Chrissy Teigen stirred up some drama when she took to Twitter to question if the cast on the show was actually qualified. She tweeted, “I will say, I look at LA real estate a lot and have never seen any of these people lol either have our agents, who I have obsessively asked".
Teigen's pot-stirring certainly ruffled the agent's feathers. "Selling Sunset" star Chrishell Stause responded to the tweet, "Staging starts tomorrow, hits the market Monday. I’m really a real realtor — LOL!” on her Instagram story. Fellow cast member Heather Rae El Moussa clapped back at Teigan in an interview with "Access Hollywood," "She obviously has heard of us at this point so, I don’t know whether she's been hiding under a rock. We all are very active real estate agents and we are very, very busy at the moment.” Shut Down!
Luxurious Listings
If you're on the market for a quaint 2-bedroom home, then the Oppenheim Group is not the place for you! The only listings the boutique firm has to offer are million-dollar mega-mansions nestled in the Hollywood Hills.
Most of the homes feature sleek marble counters, state-of-the-art fixtures, and "bonus" bells and whistles like cinemas, gyms, spas, and infinity pools. You know, the bare necessities.
Show Me the Money!
While "Selling Sunset" gives us a sneak peek into how much commission the agents make when they seal the deal, it's not made clear who reigns supreme. Well, it's about time we rank the Oppenheim agents (based solely on commission earnings and NOT on their personalities). Drumroll, please...
The top-earning agent of the brokerage (besides Jason) is Christine Quinn with a whopping commission earning of $2.5 million! Behind her is Emma Herman with $1.8 million, Mary Fitzgerald with $1.8 million, Chrishell Stause with $1.4 million, Heather El Moussa with $945 000.00, Vanessa Villela with $818 000.00, Maya Vander with $680 000.00, Chelsea Lazkani with $425 000.00, Amanda Smith with $247 500.00, and Davina with $100 500.00.
Staged or Scripted?
Is "Selling Sunset" staged or scripted? That is the question! Many viewers have speculated that everything from the real estate deals, mega-wealthy clients, and drama between the agents is all completely fake. Christine Quinn has further fueled those rumors with her tweet "enjoy the season and all of its 5,000 fake storylines!"
However, the other agents strongly deny it. Chrishell took to her Instagram story to say, "The show isn't scripted...they can sometimes nudge us to address things but what we say is all us." In an interview with "Metro UK," Jason Oppenheim said, "There’s nothing that’s scripted, we’re never told to say anything.”
Brotherly Bond
Jason and Brett Oppenheim are a twin twosome to be reckoned with. They started out as lawyers and then pivoted into the real estate game and opened the Oppenheim Group after their namesake.
Unfortunately, tensions seemed to rise between the twins, which eventually sparked Brett's exit (Bret-xit) to leave the Oppenheim Group and start his own rival firm called Oppenheim Real Estate. Despite this, the twins still appear on the show. A bizarre brotherly bond for sure!
Pocket Change
Are you sitting down? Good. These insane listing prices are known to cause bouts of disbelief and a sudden loss of consciousness. The most expensive listing in the Oppenheim Group's history so far is the infamous $75 million listing.
Yes, you read that right...$75 million! The Beverly Hills...compound?...caused a lot of drama between agent Davina and the Oppenheim brothers. Davina was determined to sell the financial flop while the brothers didn't want something so ridiculously overpriced under their brokerage. Well... it still hasn't sold... maybe they should reduce the asking price by uhm...$50 million?
The World's a Stage
As if the million-dollar mansions weren't enough to impress buyers, the humungous homes first have to be "staged" before they hit the market. "Selling Sunset" star (and fan favorite) Amanza Smith actually got her start as an interior designer staging homes.
The Oppenheim Group offers a "concierge service" where they front the (insanely expensive) costs of staging the homes. As you can imagine, the furniture won't be found at your local Target. instead, it's all high-end designer garb with art pieces costing millions. That just turns up the pressure THAT much more to get those houses sold ASAP!
Old Hollywood Gems
The Hollywood Hills are not only jam-packed with showbiz royalty but architectural gems as well. A couple of these masterpieces even appear on the show.
Take "Selling Sunset" star, Maya Vander's listing at 8448 Harold Way all the way back in season 1. The triangular triumph was designed by famous architect Harry Gesner in the 1950s and was on the market for a casual $5.49 million. Another uhm...gem... of a listing on the show was the infamous "Versace House" located at 2223 Queensborough Lane. The house earned its name due to its floor-to-ceiling Versace design. From the wallpaper to the couch cushions, everything. Is.Versace.
Commission Conditions
Don't let the high prices fool ya! Being a real estate at the Oppenheim Group doesn't necessarily mean you'll be rolling in the dough. The Oppenheim agents don't earn a salary which means all their income is commission-based. Sure, the 5% commission on a million-dollar sale is certainly a pretty penny but the agents don't get the whole pie!
Maya Vander revealed that the commission is split between the buyer's agent and the seller's agent. Then that is further split 70/30 between the agent and the brokerage. That means Jason and Brett got a cut of every deal!
BIG Paycheck
Jason Oppenheim holds the title of having sold the most expensive home in the brokerage's history...much to the delight and dismay of fellow agents. The humble home, which was listed at a cool $40 million, was a point of contention and competition throughout the show as each agent tried their best to land the sale and the rather hefty $1.2 million commission.
The buyers of the mega-mansion with 360-degree views of the Hollywood Hills, a wrap-around infinity pool, spa, and an entire entertainment level weren't revealed on the show. However, it later came to light that the new homeowners were the co-founders of Quest Nutrition. (Aka, the PDAing couple pictured above.)
Netflix Darling
"Selling Sunset" smashed Netflix records by becoming the streaming platform's most successful reality show hit.
It's so successful that Netflix keeps renewing the show for more seasons and it's already spawned two spin-offs called "Selling Tampa" and "Selling the OC." That means there are many more stilettos and over-priced homes in our future. Yay!
The Selling Sunset Seed
In a 202o interview with "Vanity Fair" magazine, show creator Adam Divello revealed just what sparked the "Selling Sunset" show idea in his mind. He was flipping through a magazine and came across an ad for the Oppenheim Group which features the notorious twins surrounded by glamourous real estate agents.
Divello divulged, "I ripped it out and gave it to my development executive…and I said, ‘Call these people. Get me an interview with them...’ It was pretty remarkable that it’s like an all-female ensemble cast, and these two twin brothers were running it. To me, it seemed like a no-brainer.”
Chrishell's Humble Beginnings
Rather ironically, Chrishell Stause, one of the biggest stars of the show, who has made her fortune selling lavish homes — was once homeless.
She revealed during the show that while she was in seventh grade, she and her family were unable to afford permanent housing and lived in their car. She even recounted being bullied for bad hygiene due to her not having access to running water and an electricity supply. Well, she pulled herself up from her bootstraps (or in this case designer heel straps) and built a successful life for herself. Clicks for Chrishell!
Special Soap Skills Required
Long before she was the star agent of the Sunset Strip, Chrishell was a bonafide Soap star. She landed the role of Amanda Dillion in the iconic soap "All My Children."
It's not just Stause who has a soapy background! One of the newest agents, Vanessa Villela, was also a former soap actress in "Amores de mercado" and "Romántica obsesión." Who knew that if you wanted to work at the Oppenheim Group you'd need a real estate license AND a soap career? High demands!
Chrishell's First Engagement
All the way back in 2007, Chrishell was engaged to Matthew Morrison (of "Glee" and Broadway fame). A few months later Morrison called off the engagement because he revealed he had proposed for the "wrong reasons."
Yikes, it seems like the former fiancés aren't on great terms. During season 1 of "Selling Sunset," Chrishell even called out Morrison saying "You were a d*ck! Sorry."
This Is "Them"
Chrishell Stause and Justin Hartley both got their showbiz starts in the soap opera bubble... get it? Soap bubble...Ha Ha Ha. Sparks flew between the two in 2013 after their first date leading to the two tying the knot in 2017.
Justin landed the role of a lifetime in the mega-hit show "This Is Us" which propelled him to A-List status while Chrishell took a step back from acting and instead chose to pursue a career in real estate, which would serve her VERY well in the future.
Playboy Past Life
Back in 2010 and before earning her real estate license, Heather Rae El Moussa appeared in a February 2010 "mountain girl" spread for "Playboy" Magazine.
She credits the people she met and the connections she made for inspiring her pivot into real estate. Heather turned out to be a formidable force, selling a $7.2 million home in her first three months as an agent! This is particularly impressive given the fact that it's not unusual for agents to only land a sale after a year in the industry.
Mother Mary
Long before Mary Fitzgerald was a top-earning agent at the Oppenheim brokerage, she was a 16-year-old teen mom to son Austin Babbit.
Mary has been very candid about her life on the show. Not only did she reveal that she fell pregnant with Austin after her first time with a man but also that his father has never been in the picture. She's gone on to defy the odds usually stacked against teen moms and built a successful and happy life for her and her son. Go, Mary!
The Ex-Pert
Perhaps the most polarizing agent in "Selling Sunset", the feisty and fabulous Christine Quinn has a past dating history that's ignited a fierce feud that played out on the show.
Quinn allegedly used to date ex-NBA player Peter Cornell who (even more allegedly) proposed to Quinn during their rollercoaster romance. Keep this rather average guy's name in mind because he's the catalyst for A LOT of future drama to come.
Realtor Romance
Long before the Oppenheim Group was reality gold, Jason and Mary were so much more than just colleagues. The pair dated for about a year (depending on who you ask). Things seemed to get pretty serious, with the pair adopting a dog and moving in together.
However, the romance didn't last. Jason has admitted that his fear of commitment led to the break-up. Still, it's not all doom and gloom. The two (somehow) managed to not only remain colleagues but best friends and puppy co-parents!
New Hire
While Chrishell got her Real Estate license in 2016, her first "real" real estate job was with the Oppenheim group in 2019.
She initially only intended to use her real estate license for personal dealings. In fact, her first real estate deal was when she acted as her then-fiance Justin Hartley's listing agent when he purchased his $1.67 million house in the Valley. Keeping things in the family!
Nauseating Net Worth
This information is not for the faint-hearted. Just prepare for your pockets to feel rather empty because these reality star realtors all have some pretty impressive net worths.
Chrishell Stause has a net worth of $5 million which she earned from a mix of her soap star acting career, her large listings, and many endorsement deals she's snagged since appearing on "Selling Sunset." Christine Quinn has a personal net worth of $1.5 million which she earned from her endorsement deals and luxurious listings. However, it's the Oppenheim brothers that take the cake. Jason and Brett have a net worth of $50 million. EACH!
This Just-In
It was just another day on the Sunset Strip when "TMZ" dropped the Chri-shell bomb-shell...Justin Hartley had filed for divorce!
Chrishell, along with her fellow "Selling Sunset" team was reportedly blindsided by the filing! Even worse, Justin told Chrishellhe was filing for divorce via...text message. Ouch!
Heartless Hartley
Justin VERY quickly moved on from Chrishell with fellow soap actress Sofia Pernas. Sofia and Justin first met on the set of "The Young and the Restless."
To make matters worse, Chrishell and Sofia were former friends. It was then revealed that Pernas and Hartley had wed in a super-secret ceremony a mere month after his divorce with Chrishell was finalized.
Real Estate < Drama
It seems that there was some miscommunication between the Oppenheim Group and the producers of the show. In an interview with "The Tab" Jason admitted that "When I first signed up for this show, I definitely thought it was going to be more real estate driven."
Sure, "Selling Sunset" is technically a show about real estate but we all know the real reason we watch it...for the drama! Luckily, Jason has since warmed up to the personal focus of the show.
Chrishell and Keo
Post-divorce Chrishell was ready to move on! And she did just that. She waltzed right into ballroom dancer Keo Motsepe's arms.
The two met while competing against one another on "Dancing With the Stars." According to Chrishell, it wasn't long before she saw some red flags in Keo and very quickly called it quits!
Working Relationship
In the reality show (and real-estate) shock of the century, Chrishell's next love connection was with... Jason Oppenheim! Yes, THAT Jason Oppenheim. As in the head of the Oppenheim Group.
It turns out that the two were very good friends, turned lovers! They made their relationship public in a very sneaky Instagram post in July 2021 which showed the pair canoodling in Greece. How romantic!
The Quinn-tensional Love Triangle
What happens when you mix two real estate agents and a shared former flame? DRAMA. Quinn alleges that while she was in midst of a 2-year romance with ex-NBA player Peter Cornell, Emma Herman (fellow "Selling Sunset" realtor and star) knowingly became the "other woman" in the relationship.
Emma strongly denies this. Instead, she says that to her knowledge, Quinn and Cornell had ended things long before Emma got involved. Hmm, it's very "She-said, she-said." Either way, we think the anger should be redirected towards Cornell!
Secret Sunset
Chrishell and Jason initially decided to keep their newfound real estate romance to themselves. Not even the "Selling Sunset" production team knew about it!
As it turns out, Mary Fitzgerald (fellow agent, former fling of Jason's, and Chrishell's bestie) was the only person who knew about the love match. It's rumored that she even helped the couple sneak around! Now that's a good friend.
24/7 Profession
It's no cakewalk to work as an agent at the Oppenheim Group. The realtors infamously work seven days a week which means they are always on call!
Mary Fitzgerald didn't even take her wedding day off! In fact, she sold her wedding venue on the day she tied the knot with Romain. Workoholic perhaps?
Love Lies
Following the J-shell (Jason and Chrishell) reveal, in a (not so) shocking move, Cristine Quinn, the starter of all drama, said that she had seen sparks flying between the two from the very beginning.
Chrishell hit back and denied Christine's comments since they pretty much insinuated that Chrishell was unfaithful to her husband at the time, Justin Hartley. Not cool Christine!
Work Perks?
Christine continued to fuel workplace drama when she made the now-infamous comment to fellow relator Maya Vander: “I was wondering why I wasn’t getting listings for a while. Then I was like, ‘Oh yeah. Cause I’m not f*cking my boss.’”
While Chrishell was infuriated by the statement, Jason shockingly didn't take any action against her!
Top Ranking
Jason Oppenheim is more than just a reality show realtor. He's the "real" deal and has the sales and accolades to back it.
"The Wall Street Journal" dubbed him the number 1 agent in the Hollywood Hills, while "The Hollywood Reporter" has named him the Top Real Estate Agent in Los Angeles. However, perhaps Jason's highest honor is being recognized as the Best Agent in the United States!
Heart Break
Just as quickly and intensely as Chrishell and Jason's romance ignited, it unfortunately burnt out. What put out the flame? Chrishell wanted to start a family while Jason just didn't see kids in his future. Sigh.
Jason took to Instagram to say "Chrishell is an exceptional human being and loving her and having her in my life is one of the best things that has ever happened to me." *Sniffs* We're not crying, you're crying!
VIP Clients
One of the MANY work perks of working at the Oppenheim Group includes rubbing shoulders with A-List celebrity clients.
The agents have represented Meryl Streep, Orlando Bloom, Ellen DeGeneres, French Montana, Taye Diggs, Jesse Tyler Fergusen, and Simu Liu. Talk about star power!
Gourmet Garments
It's safe to say that the"Selling Sunset" agents' outfits are anything but "office-casual." Christine Quinn's looks are often the most outrageous ones on the show. If her infamous diamond-encrusted "chair-purse" isn't enough to convince you then we don't know what will.
Quinn revealed that not only does she spend roughly $100,000 and daily HOURS getting her hair and make-up done, but she also always dresses head to toe in designer duds. "Selling Sunset" does not cover the cost of the cast's wardrobe which means the ladies have to foot the VERY EXPENSIVE bill.
Romain Romance
Mary met the love of her life while doing what she loves most...her job! In a meet-cute fit for any real estate romance novel, Mary met the french model while showing him a house.
Sparks flew between the two, despite a 12-year age gap! The rest is real estate history.
Already Wed?
The Mary and Romaine whirlwind romance moved fast! A major plot point in the show centered around Mary and Romaine's engagement and eventual wedding.
However, much to the shock of the producers of the show and viewers, the two had actually tied the knot months before the show in a secret ceremony! Sneaky!
Flip the Script
During the season 5 "Selling Sunset" reunion, Chrishell made it very clear that she had moved on from her ex Jason.
What she revealed was a relationship with non-binary Australian musician G-Flip. The two met on the set of the musician's steamy and sultry music video called "GET ME OUTTA HERE" and have been spotted together during a romantic getaway to G-Flip's hometown.
Ben Affleck-tion
Agent aficionado and entrepreneur Emma Herman got tounges wagging when she confessed to having matched with Ben Affleck on the exclusive dating app "Raya."
The tidbit was particularly juicy because she seemed to suggest that there might have been an overlap between her and the one and only Jennifer Lopez. Affleck denied the claims and Herman quickly clarified that the "match" took place years ago...sure...
Demoted?
Not all "Selling Sunset" stars are created equal! Just like any other television show, the real estate reality show has a core cast as well as supporting stars.
Davina was once a core cast member but was soon demoted to a recurring role. Ouch!
Favorites!
It's not abnormal for your boss to have favorite employees in the office. The same goes for the Oppenheim Group. The problem, however, is that the agents that are favored in the group happen to have been romantically linked to Jason. Ahem...Mary and Chrishell...
Mary and Chrishell have refuted these claims and are adamant that any favoritism that may exist is due to their work ethic and not their previous relationships.
Extreme Edit
One of the many conditions that the agents have to accept before appearing on the show is to allow producers of "Selling Sunset" to edit the show as they see fit.
That means that the agents are often unhappy with the manner in which they or a certain storyline is portrayed. In an interview with "Nylon," Christine criticized the show's editing techniques and said, "I was really surprised seeing the way they portrayed me."
Hidden Hubby
You may have been wondering why Tarek El Mousa hasn't been featured more on the show alongside his wife and "Selling Sunset" star Heather. It's especially confusing since the couple constantly (and nauseatingly) post every moment of their relationship on social media.
Since Tarek is the star of HGTV's "Flipping 101" he is contractually not allowed to make that many appearances on the competing Netflix show.
Christine and Christian
It seems that real estate had a big part to play in Christine and Christian's love story. Christine's friend happened to go on a date with Christian Richard (a mega-wealthy tech entrepreneur) who was also on the market...for a mansion.
Luckily for Christine, the date was a flop! Soon enough, Christine gave love a chance with Christian and much to the shock of everyone, snagged herself a new client and future hubby!
Fast and Fiesty
Christine and Christian (we can't help but wonder if the fact that they almost share the same name was an attractive feature to the pair) moved VERY quickly.
Within mere months of meeting, they were celebrating their engagement at a lavish party that featured zebras and acrobatic dancers. How romantic...
Reddit Estate
One of the show's production coordinators took to Reddit to answer fan questions and air out their grievances about the "Selling Sunset" cast members. The proverbial beans were definitely spilled!
According to the anonymous production coordinator; Christine "never works," her husband Christian is "awful," Davina is the "most annoying," and Mary is the "most serious worker." Unsurprisingly, the Reddit account has since been deleted!
Whimsical Wedding
It's no surprise that Christine and Christian's wedding was lavish. Wedding planner Lisa Lafferty revealed that they even had a LIMITLESS BUDGET. It certainly showed! Everything from the live swans to the enchanted forests and custom avant-garde black wedding dress was dripping in extravagance.
Unfortunately for Christine, it was Chrishell and her recent (at the time) divorce drama that pulled focus from the wedding on the show. In an interview with "People," she revealed that "I was a little disappointed. It just didn't really showcase the way that it was."
Quinn v Divello
"Selling Sunset" show creator Adam Divello certainly won't be winning "best boss" anytime soon.
Christine Quinn revealed in an interview with the "Call Her Daddy" podcast that she's filed several complaints against Divello for his on-set treatment of the cast. She also claimed that she was fired by Divellow for being too honest about the show. Yikes, talk about a disgruntled employee.
Amanza's "Amazing" Love Life
Amanza Smith, one of the newer Oppenheim agents, has had quite the tumultuous love life. Most notably, she was married to Ralph Brown, a former NFL player. Unfortunately, it wasn't meant to be and Amanza filed for divorce after 8 years together. Brown and Smith had two children together who Amanza eventually won full custody over.
Amanza then went on to cozy up with actor Taye Diggs. After 5 years the two called it quits. Since then, Amanza has been romantically linked to Zac Efron and a new mystery NFL player. Fingers crossed that Amaza finds true love soon!
Secret Agents
The Oppenheim Group is packed to the brim with agents, many of whom have chosen NOT to be featured on the show.
Understandably, balancing a real estate career with the demands of being a reality show star isn't for everyone. The cast has strict instructions to not interact with the "off-screen" agents when the cameras are rolling.
Yacht Is Where the Heart Is
In what only could've been cooked up by the reality TV show gods, property developer Tarek El Moussa of "Flipping 101" and realtor Heather Rae Young from "Selling Sunset" found one another (on neighboring yachts) and fell in love!
Tarek took to Instagram to describe the moment they first met."I’ll never forget the first time I saw her, it was the last thing I ever expected but I met the love of my life. The second our eyes connected and we smiled at each other I knew my life would never be the same."
Reality Show Romance
Luckily for fans of the couple, daily snippets of Heather and Tarek's relationship appear on social media including their engagement and nuptials.
The lovebirds said "I do" in a lavish wedding that took place on October 23rd, 2021 in Montecito, California. Some tear-jerking moments from their big day were featured in the season 5 finale of "Selling Sunset," giving fans (and haters) of the property-obsessed pair a sneak peek into the ceremony and celebrations.
Peculiar Pregnancy
In Season 4 of the show, it was revealed that Christine was expecting! However, instead of well wishes from fans, the rumor mill spun out of control with claims that the star might be faking her pregnancy!
The controversy centered around a scene showing Quinn doing yoga while pregnant. Quinn took to Twitter to hit back at the allegations by saying "[It was] edited wrong. I was pregnant in that scene."
Do the Work
Being an Oppenheim real estate agent is not all glamour and luxury. The agents have to put in the hours and the work in order to succeed.
Each agent is responsible for their own income and has to find their own property listings. Well, unless you're the proverbial teacher's pet...*coughs* Chrishell and Mary...yikes.
Christine and Chrishell
Despite having the longest-running feud on the show, there may be hope for Christine and Chrishell's friendship! Christine revealed that in the early days of the show, she and Chrishell were close friends. So what happened?
Well, Christine alleges that the producers of "Selling Sunset" drove a wedge between the two in order to spice up the show. Hmm, we wonder if Crishell agrees?
Cool Qualifications
Davina Potratz may not be the most loved agent by fans of the show, but she is the most qualified of the bunch (apart from the Oppenheim twins, of course).
Not only is she a qualified real estate agent but she also earned her broker's license. Before joining the Oppenheim group, she ran her own brokerage called "The Davina Group." Wow, very creative!
Dramatic Reconstruction
The cast of the show has admitted that some scenes of the show are less than organic. In fact, some of the showings are completely staged and Christine has even alleged that some of the prospective buyers are in fact hired actors.
It's also been revealed that certain scenes sometimes have to be re-shot several times over. Hmm, very natural!
Vanessa's Valentine
It looks like newbie Vanessa Villela will be the next Oppenheim agent to walk down the aisle!
The soap star turned real estate agent shared the news of her engagement to photographer Tom Fraud on her Instagram page. In the "Selling Sunset" universe, weddings=drama. So to say that we're excited about the upcoming nuptials is an understatement!
Made in Chelsea
The newest agent to join the cast of "Selling Sunset" is Chelsea Lazkani, who might actually have a wardrobe that rivals Christine's. GASP!
Chelsea hails from the UK and is currently married to LA businessman Jeff Lazkani. While we didn't get to see much of Chelsea in the latest season, we have a feeling she's going to amp up the drama in future seasons to come!