The reality star speaks out after a source close to production confirmed to PEOPLE that he will not return for season 11 of the Bravo series
Credit: Charles Sykes/Bravo
NEED TO KNOW
- West Wilson broke his silence after it was reported that he would not return for season 11 of Summer House
- A source close to production previously confirmed Wilson’s departure to PEOPLE, though Bravo has not commented
- Wilson’s exit comes after a season dominated by attention surrounding his relationship with costar Amanda Batula and intense reunion scrutiny
West Wilson is speaking out following news that he will not be returning to Summer House.
Wilson, 31, shared insight into his exit from the Bravo series in a TikTok video with content creator Lucas Brody, known as SohoBrody, on Wednesday, June 24. Brody is best known for collaborating with Wilson on videos breaking down viral conversations, from the plotlines of Vanderpump Rules and Tell Me Lies to controversies surrounding brands and famous families, including Solidcore and the Beckhams.
In Wednesday's video, Wilson clarified that he is not returning, adding, “That is true. But in their defense, I don't think it would have been a fun summer.”
Wilson's statement comes after a source close to production confirmed to PEOPLE that the reality star will not return for season 11 of the Bravo series. He joined Summer House in season 8.
His departure follows months of public attention surrounding his relationship with costar Amanda Batula, 34. Wilson and Batula confirmed they were dating on March 31 after weeks of speculation. Wilson previously dated costar Ciara Miller in 2023, while Batula was married to costar Kyle Cooke for four years before the pair announced their split in January.
Also in Wednesday's video, Brody directly asked West about the existence of a rumored video of him and Batula in West's apartment together. Wilson confirmed he's heard from "credible sources" that the footage does exist and shows the couple "canoodling." However, Wilson, who suggested a neighbor captured the video, said he hasn't seen it yet.
He went on to address speculation over his and Batula's relationship timeline, including his confession to Brianna "Chickenfry" LaPaglia in early February that "'Amanda is single. Amanda is hot.' " He admitted on Wednesday that the statement is "Something I probably never should have said," adding, "Nothing was happening at that point in time, and that just proves how big of a f—ing idiot I am."
Wilson also reiterated that he and Batula did not have sex until after they released their joint statement. "But we've been like making out and having sleepovers for a long time," he explained.
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Once the conversation turned to the reunion, Brody asked Wilson about taking beta blockers beforehand. But Wilson didn't confirm anything until the end of the video, accidentally revealing that he took a Xanax too.
As the video came to a close, Wilson denied the rumors that he wanted to replace the series' original cast members. "That is the first time I texted Bravo and been like, 'Can we clear this up? Because this is f—ing insane.' "
"I like them," he said. "Absolutely not how I move."
Wilson also confirmed he met Batula's parents, calling the interaction "lovely" and saying her father, Frank, was "great." He added that it's been hard to envision what's to come and what a "normal" day would be like for the couple.
Credit: Kareem Black/Bravo
PEOPLE has reached out to Bravo for comment. The season 11 cast has not yet been announced.
Just last week, Wilson and Batula faced questions about their relationship during Summer House's three-part season 10 reunion. During the special, Wilson was pressed by his castmates about the timeline of their romance and revealed when the pair became exclusive.
At one point, host Andy Cohen asked Wilson whether he had taken a beta blocker due to his stoic demeanor during the reunion.
“This matters to me. I apologize if I don't read emotional enough,” Wilson responded, later confirming that he had.
Ahead of the reunion, Wilson also addressed the intense scrutiny surrounding his relationship on an episode of his podcast, Show Me Something.
“We're doing our best,” he said of himself and Batula, before stating that “going out in public is kinda scary.”
Wilson also responded to Miller's reunion claim that he was only dating Batula “to spite me.”
Credit: Jocelyn Prescod/Bravo
“That one, I don't even remember what I said,” Wilson said. “I think I was like, why would I… Why is that something I would ever do? Obviously not the case.”
Meanwhile, Cooke, 43, recently told PEOPLE that Batula's relationship with Wilson — whom he previously considered a close friend — has been difficult for him to process.
“Sometimes it doesn't feel real until I see them together,” Cooke said. “This is just not something I can fathom doing to anybody that's close to me. We're a close-knit family, it's like he's banging his sister.”
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