The Real Reason Chelsea Meissner Left Southern Charm
The seventh season of Southern Charm finally premiered on October 29th after production was put on pause twice. The first delay, according to Showbiz CheatSheet, happened because the producers were reportedly looking for new talent following the exit of Thomas Ravenel. And the second halt happened about three weeks into filming due to the global pandemic, according to Post and Courier.
When the first episode aired, there were a few cast members noticeably missing from the show, but their absence didn't come as a total shock. The trio of Cameran Eubanks, Naomie Olindo and Chelsea Meissner all revealed they were done back in the spring of 2020. Cameran was the first to announce that she was leaving the show. She shared her decision on Instagram after rumors began to swirl that her husband, Jason Wimberly, was having an affair. (Jason, Cameran, and the alleged mistress have all denied the affair.)
"He always supported me filming the show even though he wanted no part of the spotlight," the Real World: San Diego alum wrote. "I can't get too upset though because this is what you sign up for when you put your life on reality TV ... and why I'm getting out of it now." As People noted, Cameran told her Instagram followers that she planned to leave the series before the rumor popped up.
Chelsea Meissner and Naomie Olindo were done, too
After Cameran Eubanks posted the announcement, Naomie Olindo left an Instagram comment that suggested she and Chelsea Meissner would be leaving, too. "I'm so damn proud of you and us @chelseameissner58," Naomie wrote (via E!). As Post and Courier reported, Naomie confirmed their exit in an Instagram Story. An insider told People, "Naomie and Chelsea, like Cam, are just tired of the reality TV drama and don't want to live their lives this way."
Their departures didn't surprise everyone. Craig Conover, Naomie's ex, told Us Weekly, "In order to do this, you have to be completely transparent and it's the only way it works. And it's a choice for everyone to make." He went on to add that Chelsea "wasn't going to open up her life" to viewers any more than she already had. Chelsea first appeared on the show in Season 3 as a guest, became a recurring cast member, and then graduated to full-time cast member for the fifth and sixth seasons. Southern Charm wasn't Chelsea's first reality TV show rodeo; she was previously on Season 24 of Survivor. According to Heavy, Chelsea made it all the way to the finals and landed in third place.
It looks like Chelsea has been doing quite well for herself since parting ways with the show. As Bravo's Style & Living noted, she recently renovated a 1960s ranch house, a project that took about six months, and sold it. Maybe we'll see her next on HGTV!