'I've been watching Selling Sunset for 6 years. This is where I draw the line.'

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I don't know about you, but when the news broke that Chrishell Stause is stepping away from Selling Sunset, a little piece of my reality-TV-loving heart shrivelled up and died.

And honestly? I think the show is doomed without her.

I've been hooked since season one, episode one, and if you remember that first episode, it all started with Chrishell.

She was the fresh face, the newbie joining The Oppenheim Group, and our eyes into this ridiculously lavish, slightly toxic, diamond-encrusted world. She was the show's anchor, the only one that felt remotely like an actual human being navigating a very surreal workplace.

Since then, she hasn't just been an agent — she's been the main character. Think about the biggest, most explosive drama the show has ever served up. It's almost always centred on her. From the glorious, jaw-dropping feud with Christine Quinn (RIP that rivalry, it was iconic) to the latest, exhausting showdown with Nicole, Chrishell has been the engine of the drama train.

But it's not just the messiness; it's the heart.

WATCH: The trailer for Selling Sunset season nine. Article continues after video.

She was the one who let us in on her deepest, most personal journeys.

Watching her navigate her divorce from Justin Hartley was gut-wrenching, but then watching her find her joy and her love again with G Flip? That was television gold, and honestly, so much more important than any listing.

Chrishell became the only openly queer member of the cast, and seeing her storyline — a woman in her 40s exploring her sexuality and falling head-over-heels for a non-binary partner — was crucial representation on a massive global platform.

Listen: Inside G-Flip's marriage to Chrishell Stause. Post continues below.

That visibility is going to leave a huge, rainbow-shaped hole in the show, which has not yet confirmed season 10.

Here's the thing: while I'm mourning her departure, I get it. I really, truly do.

Watching the latest season and the reunion has been a frustrating experience. It became excruciatingly clear that Chrishell was dealing with a relentless barrage of subtle and not-so-subtle homophobia and transphobia. Her primary conflicts boiled down to her trying to hold the line, set basic boundaries, and demand the bare minimum of respect for herself and G Flip.

Image: Netflix

And the worst part? No one had her back. The silence of her castmates during these conversations was deafening and, frankly, shameful.

Then there was the truly bizarre decision to give Chrishell somewhat of a villain edit in season 9. Remember how she reacted to Emma's boyfriend, Blake? She was being painted as the aggressor, as overly dramatic for not supporting her best friend in her relationship. 

Even during the reunion, most of the cast were so focused on condemning Chrishell for calling out Blake publicly online, rather than exploring the accusations that she was actually making about his behaviour. 

This comes off of Chrishell's public comments about her fallout with Emma, where she accused Blake of being "MAGA," and not respecting G Flip's use of pronouns.

"What's happening with you and Emma?" a user commented on Chrishell's social media.

"Ask her about her MAGA bf who told me pronouns are dumb and that he likes to use the N word. I just can't with that. Too old to allow that in. But love her from afar," Chrishell replied.

These claims were denied by Emma and Blake, it should be noted.

But it wasn't until Chrishell started posting receipts on her Instagram following the show being released — the shocking, transphobic and problematic things Blake was sharing on his own social media — that her side was shown.

It was an absolute eye-opener and made it crystal clear why she was reacting the way she was. She was literally defending her family and her integrity against someone she perceived to be toxic and bigoted.

Image: Netflix

So, yes. She's burnt out, she's been put through the wringer, and she's had to fight battles that should never have been hers to fight on a reality show. Her leaving makes perfect, beautiful sense for her own wellbeing.

But let's be brutally honest: the show is going to suffer.

Chrishell Stause was the heart, the drama, and the relatability of Selling Sunset. Without her, all we're left with are designer clothes, massive houses, and a collection of people who don't seem to hold onto their values when a camera is rolling.

Get ready for some very boring open houses, people. This one stings.

Feature Image: Netflix.