Heather Rae El Moussa is starting to share sneak peeks into the drama that will unfold when she and her “Selling Sunset” co-star-turned-frenemy Christine Quinn return to the action-packed Netflix reality series following a yearslong hiatus.
The 38-year-old reality star offered a teasing glimpse at how her complicated relationship with Quinn, 37, has evolved since they were last seen on screen together while answering fan questions about the upcoming season of the Netflix show on Instagram.
When asked by one follower whether she or Quinn will be “more bossy” upon their return to the real estate reality series set in Los Angeles, El Moussa hesitated to give too much away. But she also refused to deny that there will be some competition between them.
“Good question, you’ll find out!” the mother-of-one quipped in response.
It has been several years since El Moussa was last seen on the series, having temporarily exited the show at the end of Season 7 to go on maternity leave ahead of the birth of her son, Tristan, now 3, whom she shares with husband Tarek El Moussa.
That maternity leave turned into a three-year break when reports emerged soon after that she had been axed from the series altogether—news that prompted Quinn to make several digs about Heather Rae El Moussa’s onscreen presence.
When news of the mother of one’s exit was revealed, Quinn, who left the show after Season 5, made clear her feelings on the topic, branding El Moussa a “snooze fest.”
“I’m not shocked because she’s a snooze fest, but it is what it is,” Quinn said. “She’s a little snoozy! I love her. She’s a sweetheart, but it’s TV at the end of the day—you have to give it. You have to bring it.”
Her comments came after multiple moments of tension had played out on screen between the two women—prompting some shock from fans when the two women both revealed that they would be returning to the series, and the Oppenheim Group, at the same time.
Rumors began swirling that Quinn and El Moussa were set for a “Selling Sunset” comeback in March—with the two reality stars confirming the news themselves in April, when they teased viewers about their plans to stir things up, both in terms of California’s luxury real estate market and for their co-stars.
Quinn announced the news of her return in an Instagram video, telling fans she’s “back” before asking if they missed her.
El Moussa also revealed she was heading back to the series with a clip shared to social media. In the video, she picked up a phone call and addressed Oppenheim Group founder Jason Oppenheim.
“Jason, it’s time. I’m back,” she told him.
The mother of one was then seen strutting toward the agency’s iconic Sunset Strip offices.
Speaking about her decision to return, El Moussa later told Realtor.com® that she finally felt prepared to get back in front of the Netflix cameras because all of her other projects and personal obligations were in such a good place, from her role as a mother to her position as a beauty brand founder.
“Honestly, the timing just felt right. I’m in such a different place in my life than when I left—I have Tristan, HRE Beauty is growing, and I feel more grounded than ever,” she said.
“When the opportunity came back around, I didn’t want to look back and wonder ‘what if.’ I said yes because I was ready to show up as the version of me I am now, not who I was before.”
She confessed that she had been toying with the idea of returning to the hit series, adding that she decided it was time when “everything aligned.”
“It was definitely a conversation,” she explained. “I had been thinking about it, and when the discussions started, everything aligned. The show has always been a part of my story.
“Real estate is such a big part of my life, and being able to bring people into that world again, especially now with everything I have going on, just made sense. It felt less like going back and more like leveling up.”
Speaking about any unresolved drama from previous seasons, El Moussa insisted that she wasn’t planning to rehash old fights—but said she couldn’t promise there wouldn’t be some lasting tension.
“I’m not going to pretend there aren’t dynamics, but I genuinely go into every situation leading with respect,” she said. “I’m not there to create drama. I’m there to close deals and do good work. If tension comes up, I’ll handle it like I handle everything—head on and with honesty.”
Quinn and El Moussa, who took a four- and three-year break from the show, respectively, told Tudum that things in the Oppenheim office, which is led by Jason and his brother, Brett Oppenheim, will be different this time around.
They warned fans to expect a “reintroduction” when the season kicks off.
“This isn’t a rewind. It’s a reintroduction,” Quinn said, before opening up about how her return to the show first came about.
“[Creator] Adam DiVello and I reconnected after my divorce, and I really appreciate him extending the invitation to come back on,” she shared. “I’m returning from a very different place, with more perspective, confidence, and clarity.”
El Moussa echoed her co-star’s sentiments, noting that she has changed since the last time viewers saw her on their screens.
“I’ve become a mom, a wife, a business owner, and I finally feel secure enough in who I am to walk back into that world and not lose myself in it,” she explained. “I’m calmer, more grounded, less reactive. I know what I want, and I’m not afraid to say it.”
Since leaving the series, Quinn has moved to Texas, previously revealing that she wanted to get back to her roots after her time on the show came to an end.
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