Heather Rae El Moussa Will Not Appear in Season 8 of “Selling Sunset ”After Previously Reduced Role: Source
The reality star had already taken on a smaller role in season 7 of the Netflix show and is focussing on her HGTV series with husband Tarek
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Heather Rae El MoussaHeather Rae El Moussa will not appear in Selling Sunset next season, a source confirms to PEOPLE.
The reality star, 36, appeared to hint that her time on the Netflix reality series had come to an end in an Instagram post on Monday. Alongside a photo of herself and cast member Bre Tiesi, El Moussa wrote of her costar, "The yin to my yang. Opposite in almost every way but became besties immediately — and even though we’re not on the same show together anymore, our friendship is stronger than ever."
In a further nod to the move, the second slide of her post featured a quote about two friends going in "opposite directions."
"True friendship is when two friends can walk in opposite directions yet remain side by side," read the quote.
El Moussa had already taken on a reduced role in Selling Sunset, making only occasional appearances in season 7 (which premiered Nov. 3).
A representative for Netflix did not immediately reply to PEOPLE's request for comment.
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Heather Rae El Moussa (left) and Bre Tiesi in 'Selling Sunset'Related: 'Selling Sunset' Season 7: Everything to Know
She first revealed she'd have a lesser role in season 7 in March. "Season 7 is filming right now, but I've been off maternity leave and I've been excited to get back to work and so far I have not been called back," she told E! News.
When asked how Heather felt about that, she responded: "It's been a little frustrating. So [I'm] not sure what's been going on."
Heather Rae El Moussa/Instagram
Last month, Heather opened up to PEOPLE about the positive side of things, noting the change enabled her to focus more on her family andThe Flipping El Moussas, her HGTV show with husband Tarek El Moussa. She shared she was enjoying having less "drama" in her life. She also explained that her priorities have changed since she and Tarek welcomed their son, Tristan, in January.
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“I love being able to prioritize my family and my happiness and step away from some of the drama that Selling Sunset brought into my life,” she said. “A lot of things happened that I choose not to speak about, but overall I am very happy with how my life is.”
Frazer Harrison/WireImage
Tarek and Heather El MoussaHeather — who was part of the original cast of Selling Sunset when it premiered in 2019 — did note that she is still working for the Oppenheim Group, the luxury real estate agency around which the show revolves. However, she and Tarek are now throwing their energy into house flipping as season 2 of their HGTV show is set to kick off in early 2024.
Heather told PEOPLE that filming the renovation show has been a much more relaxed experience than her time on Selling Sunset. “I can just film with my husband now, drama free,” she said, jokingly adding, “It is so incredible that I don't have to worry about fighting with a girl when I go to work.”
Adam Rose/Netflix
Selling Sunset's Jason Oppenheim, president and founder of the Oppenheim Group, told PEOPLE ahead of the season 7 premiere that he and the rest of the cast were feeling El Moussa's absence.
"I really miss Heather," he said. "I miss Heather being around when we're filming, and she's [living] in Newport Beach, so I'm not really seeing her as much in the L.A. office anymore. She's just such a fun, easygoing personality to be around. So I think everyone misses Heather when she's not here."
Tiesi also addressed Heather's smaller role, telling E! News in July that she was "devastated to lose" her as a show regular. "I absolutely adore Heather," she said. "I’m very sad to hear that she is not going to be as big a part."
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